[ 1486 ] "Yes," she said quietly, "that was not Evelyn Howard who spoke!" She flung her head up proudly. "*THIS is Evelyn Howard! And she is on the side of Justice! Let the cost be what it may." And with these words, she walked firmly out of the room.

[ 1487 ] "There," said Poirot, looking after her, "goes a very valuable ally. That woman, Hastings, has got brains as well as a heart."

[ 1488 ] I did not reply.

[ 1489 ] "Instinct is a marvellous thing," mused Poirot. "It can neither be explained nor ignored."

[ 1490 ] "You and Miss Howard seem to know what you are talking about," I observed coldly. "Perhaps you don't realize that I am still in the dark."

[ 1491 ] "Really? Is that so, mon ami?"

[ 1492 ] "Yes. Enlighten me, will you?"

[ 1493 ] Poirot studied me attentively for a moment or two. Then, to my intense surprise, he shook his head decidedly.

[ 1494 ] "No, my friend."

[ 1495 ] "Oh, look here, why not?"

[ 1496 ] "Two is enough for a secret."

[ 1497 ] "Well, I think it is very unfair to keep back facts from me."

[ 1498 ] "I am not keeping back facts. Every fact that I know is in your possession. You can draw your own deductions from them. This time it is a question of ideas."

[ 1499 ] "Still, it would be interesting to know."

[ 1500 ] Poirot looked at me very earnestly, and again shook his head.

[ 1501 ] "You see," he said sadly, "*YOU have no instincts."

[ 1502 ] "It was intelligence you were requiring just now," I pointed out.

[ 1503 ] "The two often go together," said Poirot enigmatically.

[ 1504 ] The remark seemed so utterly irrelevant that I did not even take the trouble to answer it. But I decided that if I made any interesting and important discoveries-as no doubt I should-I would keep them to myself, and surprise Poirot with the ultimate result.

[ 1505 ] There are times when it is one's duty to assert oneself.

[ 1507 ] I HAD had no opportunity as yet of passing on Poirot's message to Lawrence. But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend's high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet.

[ 1508 ] It struck me that it would be a good opportunity to deliver my message. Otherwise, Poirot himself might relieve me of it. It was true that I did not quite gather its purport, but I flattered myself that by Lawrence's reply, and perhaps a little skillful cross-examination on my part, I should soon perceive its significance. Accordingly I accosted him.

[ 1509 ] "I've been looking for you," I remarked untruthfully.

[ 1510 ] "Have you?"

[ 1511 ] "Yes. The truth is, I've got a message for you-from Poirot."

"Yes?"

[ 1512 ] "He told me to wait until I was alone with you," I said, dropping my voice significantly, and watching him intently out of the corner of my eye. I have always been rather good at what is called, I believe, creating an atmosphere.

[ 1513 ] "Well?"

[ 1514 ] There was no change of expression in the dark melancholic face. Had he any idea of what I was about to say?

[ 1515 ] "This is the message." I dropped my voice still lower. " 'Find the extra coffee-cup, and you can rest in peace.' "

[ 1516 ] "What on earth does he mean?" Lawrence stared at me in quite unaffected astonishment.