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Yes, said Caroline grudgingly, I see that.
I took a turn or two up and down the room.
Flora, I said gravely, be guided by me. I advise you not to drag this detective into the case.
Flora sprang to her feet. The colour rushed into her cheeks.
I know why you say that, she cried. But its exactly for that reason Im so anxious to go. Youre afraid! But Im not. I know Ralph better than you do.
Ralph! said Caroline. What has Ralph got to do with it?
Neither of us heeded her.
Ralph may be weak, continued Flora. He may have done foolish things in the past wicked things even but he wouldnt murder anyone.
No, no, I exclaimed. I never thought it of him.
Then why did you go to the Three Boars last night? demanded Flora. on your way home after uncles body was found?
I was momentarily silenced. I had hoped that that visit of mine would remain unnoticed.
How did you know about that? I countered.
I went there this morning, said Flora. I heard from the servants that Ralph was staying there-
I interrupted her.
You had no idea that he was in Kings Abbot?
No. I was astounded. I couldnt understand it. I went there and asked for him. They told me, what I suppose they told you last night, that he went out at about nine oclock yesterday evening and and never came back.
Her eyes met mine defiantly, and as though answering something in my look, she burst out:
Well, why shouldnt he? He might have gone anywhere. he may even have gone back to London.
Leaving his luggage behind? I asked gently.
Flora stamped her foot.
I dont care. There must be a simple explanation.
And thats why you want to go to Hercule Poirot? Isnt it better to leave things as they are? The police dont suspect Ralph in the least, remember. Theyre working on quite another tack.
But thats just it, cried the girl. They do suspect him. A man from Cranchester turned up this morning inspector Raglan, a horrid, weaselly little man. I found he had been to the Three Boars this morning before me. They told me all about his having been there, and the questions he had asked. he must think Ralph did it.
Thats a change of mind from last night, if so, I said slowly. He doesnt believe in Daviss theory that it was Parker then?
Parker indeed, said my sister, and snorted.
Flora came forward and laid her hand on my arm.
Oh! dr Sheppard, let us go at once to this M. Poirot. He will find out the truth.
My dear Flora, I said gently, laying my hand on hers. Are you quite sure it is the truth we want?
She looked at me, nodding her head gravely.
Youre not sure, she said. I am. I know Ralph better than you do.
Of course he didnt do it, said Caroline, who had been keeping silent with great difficulty. ralph may be extravagant, but hes a dear boy, and has the nicest manners.
I wanted to tell Caroline that large numbers of murderers have had nice manners, but the presence of flora restrained me. Since the girl was determined, I was forced to give in to her and we started at once, getting away before my sister was able to fire off any more pronouncements beginning with her favourite words, of course.
An old woman with an immense Breton cap opened the door of The Larches to us. M. Poirot was at home, it seemed.
We were ushered into a little sitting-room arranged with formal precision, and there, after a lapse of a minute or so, my friend of yesterday came to us.
Monsieur le docteur, he said, smiling. Mademoiselle. he bowed to Flora.
Perhaps, I began, you have heard of the tragedy which occurred last night.
His face grew grave.
But certainly I have heard. It is horrible. I offer mademoiselle all my sympathy. In what way can I serve you?
Miss Ackroyd, I said, wants you to to-
To find the murderer, said Flora in a clear voice.
I see, said the little man. But the police will do that, will they not?
They might make a mistake, said Flora. They are on their way to make a mistake now, I think. Please, M. Poirot, wont you help us? If if it is a question of money-
Poirot held up his hand.
Not that, I beg of you, mademoiselle. Not that I do not care for money. his eyes showed a momentary twinkle. Money, it means much to me and always has done. No, if I go into this, you must understand one thing clearly. I shall go through with it to the end. The good dog, he does not leave the scent, remember! you may wish that, after all, you had left it to the local police.
I want the truth, said flora, looking him straight in the eyes.
All the truth?
All the truth.
Then I accept, said the little man quietly. And I hope you will not regret those words. Now, tell me all the circumstances.
Dr Sheppard had better tell you, said Flora. he knows more than I do.
Thus enjoined, I plunged into a careful narrative, em- bodying all the facts I have previously set down. Poirot listened carefully, inserting a question here and there, but for the most part sitting in silence, his eyes on the ceiling.
I brought my story to a close with the departure of the inspector and myself from Fernly Park the previous night.
And now, said Flora, as I finished, tell him all about Ralph.
I hesitated, but her imperious glance drove me on.
You went to this inn this Three Boars last night on your way home? asked Poirot, as I brought my tale to a close. Now exactly why was that?
I paused a moment to choose my words carefully.
I thought someone ought to inform the young man of his uncles death. It occurred to me after I had left Fernly that possibly no one but myself and Mr Ackroyd were aware that he was staying in the village.
Poirot nodded.
Quite so. That was your only motive in going there, eh?
That was my only motive, I said stiffly.
It was not to shall we say reassure yourself about ce jeune homme?
Reassure myself?
I think, M. le docteur, that you know very well what I mean, though you pretend not to do so. I suggest that it would have been a relief to you if you had found that captain Paton had been at home all the evening.
Not at all, I said sharply.
The little detective shook his head at me gravely.
You have not the trust in me of Miss Flora, he said. But no matter. What we have to look at is this captain Paton is missing, under circumstances which call for an explanation. I will not hide from you that the matter looks grave. Still, it may admit of a perfectly simple explanation.
Thats just what I keep saying, cried Flora eagery.
Poirot touched no more upon that theme.
Instead he suggested an immediate visit to the local police. He thought it better for Flora to return home, and for me to be the one to accompany him there and introduce him to the officer in charge of the case.
We carried out this plan forthwith. We found inspector Davis outside the police station looking very glum indeed. With him was colonel Melrose, the chief constable, and another man whom, from Floras description of weaselly, I had no difficulty in recognizing as Inspector raglan from Cranchester.