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PAGE EIGHT nc -- The Murder of Roger Ackroyd «ti (By Agatha Christie) CHAPTER XV Geoffrey Raymond T was to have a further proof that day of the success of "Poirot's tactics. That challenge of his had been a sub- tle touch born of his knowledge of hu- man nature. A mixture of fear and guilt had wrung the truth from Mrs.: Ackroyd. She was the first to react. That afternoon when' 1 returned from seeing my patients, Caroline told me that Geoffrey Raymond had just left. ; "Did he want to see me?" I asked, as"] hung up my coat in the hall Caroline was hovering by my elbow. "It was M. Poirot he wanted to see," she said. "He'd just come from The Larches. M. Poirot was -eut. . Mr. Raymond thought he might be here, or that you might know where he was." "l haven't the least idea." "I tried to make him wait," said Caroline, "but he said he would call back at The Larches in half an hour, and went away down the village. A great pity, because M. Poirot came in practically the minute after he left." "Came in here?" "No, to his own house." "How do you know? "The side window," briefly. It seemed to me that we had now exhausted the topic. Caroline thought! otherwise. "Aren't you going across?" "Across where?" "To The Larches, of course." 1 "My dear Caroline," I said, "what for?" | "Mr. Raymond wanted to see him very particularly," said Caroline. "You might hear what it's all about." 1 raised my eyebrows. "Curiosity 18 not my besetting sin," I remarked coldly. *I can exist com- fortably without knowing exactly what my neighbors are doing and thinking." "Stuff and' nonsense, James," said my | said Caroline sister. "You want to know just as! much as I do. You're not so honest, ! that's all. You always have to pre- tend." | "Really, Caroline," I said, and retired | into my surgery. | Ten minutes later Caroline tapped at the door and entered. In her hana | she held what seemed to be a pot ot | jam, i "I wonder, James," she said, "if you would mind taking this pot of medlar | jelly across to M. Poirot? 1 pro- mised it to him. He has never tasted any home-made medlar jelly." ' "Why can't Annie go?" [1 asked coldly. i "sne's doing some mending. I can't! spare her." Caroline and I looked at each other. | "Very well," I said, rising. "But if I take the beastly thing, 1 shall just it at the door. You understand! "Naturally," she said. "Who s est- ed you should do anything else?" The honours were with Caroline. "If you do happen to see M. Poirot," she said, as I opened the front door, "you might tell him about the boots, It was a most subtle parting shot, I! wanted dreadfully to understand the enigma of the boots. When the oud Jady wth the Breton cap opened the] door to me, I found myself asking if, M. Poirot was in, quite automatically. Poirot sprang up to meet me, ray | ! My sister raised her eyebrows, | | | every appearance of pleasure, "Sit down, my good friend," he said, | I'he "The big chair? This small one? room is not too hot, no?" | ers. I though it was stifling, but refrain- | ut And I told him of my interview with Mrs. Ackroyd. He listened with inter- est, but not much excitement. "It clears the ground," he said thoughtfully. "And it has a certain value as confirming the evidence of the housekeeper. She said, you remem- ber, that she found the silver table lid open and closed it down in passing." "What about her statement that she went into the drawing-room to see if the flowers were fresh?" ° "Ah! we never took that very seri- ously, did we, my friend? It'was pat- ently an excuse, trumped up in a hurry by a woman who felt it urgent to ex- plain her presence--which, by the way, you would \ probably never have thought of questioning. [ considered it possible that her 'agitation' might arise from the fact that she had been tampering with the silver table, but I think now that we must look for an- other cause." id "Yes," I said. "Whom did she go out to meet? And why?" "You think she went out to me one?" *I-do. Poirot nodded. "So do 1." he sal thoughtiully. There was a pause. "By the way," 1 said, "I've got 2 message for yon from my sister. Ralph Paton's boots were black, not brown." I was watching him closely as 1 gave meet S¢ " Why of today escape all the little fretful do so many, many babies spells and infantile ailments that nsed to worry mothers through the day, and keep them up half the night? If you don't know the answer, vou haven't discoyered pure, harm- less Castoria. It is sweet to thn t ste and sweet 'in the little stom- uch, And its gentle influence seems "lt all throneh the tiny system Not even a distasteful dose of cas- tor oil does so much good. Metcher's Castoria is purely ves. etable, so you may give it freely, first sign of colie; or constipa- ton; or diarrhea Or those many times when yon just don't know what is the matter For real sick ness, call the dnctor, always. At other times, a few drops of Fletch er's Castoria. The doctor often tells you to a- just that: and always says Flet-h Other preparations may be ed from saying so. The windows were! just as pure, just as free from aun closed, and a large fire burned in the! g-rons drugs, but why experiment' grate. "The English people, they have a mania for the fresh air," declared Poi- rot. "The big air, it is all very well outside, where it belongs. Why admit it to the house? But let us not dis- cuss such hanalities. You have some- thing for me, yes?" "Two things," | said. from my sister." I handed over the pot jelly. "How kind of Mademoisclle Caroline. She had remembered her promise. And the second thing?" "Information--of a kind." "First--this-- of medlar | Pesides. the took on care and feed. ing of babies that comes with Fletcher's Cestoria is worth its weight in gold! Children Cry for the_message. fi hn {od I fancied that 1 sat a me v 19, 1927 a) -- flicker of comlposure. Ii so, it 'passed almost immediately. "She is absolute- ly positive they are not brown?" "Absolutely" _ "Ah!" said Poirot regretfully. "That is a pity." : And he seemed quite crestiallen. He entered into no explanations, but at once started a new subject of con- versation. 3 "The housekeeper, Miss Russell, who came to consult you on that Friday morning--is it indiscreet to ask what passed at the interview--apart from the medical details, I mean?" "Not at all," I said. "When the pro- fessional part of the 'conversation was over, we talked for a few minutes about poisons, and the ease or difh- culty of detecting them, and a drfz-taking and drug-takers." "With special reference to cocaine" asked Poirot. "How did you know 1 asked, somewhat surprised. For answer, the little man rose and crossed the room to where newspapers were filed. He brought me a copy of the Daily Budget, dated Friday, "16th September, and showed me an article dealing with the smuggling of cocaine. It was a somewhat lurid article, writ- ten with an eye to picturesque effect. "That is what put cocaine info her head, my friend," he said. I would have catechised hm further for 1 did not quite understand his meaning, but at that moment the door opehed and' Geoffrey Raymond was announced. : He came m fresh and debonair as ever, and greeted us both, "How are you doctor? M, Poirot, this is the second time I've been here this morning. 1 was anxious to catch you," "Perhaps I'd better be off," 1 sug- gested rather awkwardly. : "Not on my account, doctor. No, it's just this," he went on, seating himsclt at a wave of invitation from Poirot, "I've got a confession to make." | "En verite?" said Poirot, with an air | of polite interest. "Oh, it's of no consequence, relly. | But, as a matter of fact, my conscience | nas been pricking me ever since yes-| erday afternoon. You accused us al | of keeping back something, M. Poirot. | I 'plead guilty. I've had something up| my sleeve." | And what is that. M. Raymond?" "AS 1 it's nothmg ot con-| sequence--just this. 1 was in debt--1 badly, and that legacy came in the mck " say, un my feet with a little to spare." He smiled at us both with that en- gaging frankness that made hum such a likeable youngster. | "You know how it is. Suspicious looking policeman--don't like to adi:it you were hard up for money--think it will look bad to them. But 1 was a fool, really, because Blunt and I were! in the billiagd room from a quarter Lo| ten onwards, so I've got a watertight | alibi and nothing to fear. Still, when | vou thundered out that stuff about | concealing things, 1 felt a nasty prick | conscience, and 1 thought I'd like to | get it off my mind." | aga.n at us. "You are a very wise young man, said Poirot, nodding at him with ap-| proval. "See you, when I know that He got up agam and stood smiling »i time. Five hundred pounds puts wc | ad he car in Ontario. After November 30th without examination $102 Fine MOTOR VEHICLES BRANCH The HON. GEO. S. HENRY, Minister you will not be able to get a Motor Vemcie Operator's License After Novembér 30th every applicant for a Motor Vehicle Operator's License will be required to pass an examination of fitness and ability before an inspector of the Department of Higiways. This examination will take some time and will cost a fee of $1.00. It will be assumed after the above date that every experienced and capable driver will have heeded the law and secured a license. If you have been careless in not applying for your Motor Vehicle Operator's License, you will save yourself inconvenience, time and money, by making applica- tion now. An application form can be secured at any garage. Licenses are now issued without examination to these who have driven a car at least six months and for at least 500 miles, and also have no physical or mental disability which may interfere with the operation of a motor car. The fee for a license is $1.00 and licenses now issued will be good until December 31st, 1928. Licenses must be carried by drivers at all times. of The Highway Traffic Act, drivers without Motor Vehicle Operator's Licenses cannot be considered as experienced and competent. In case of accident or infraction Without a Motor Vehicle Operator's License you have no authority to drive a The penalty is a fine of $10.00. License may be demanded at any time by any policeman or traffic officer. Production of the Driver's If you have not yet secured your license you are subject to fine at any time, and if you wait till after November 30th to apply you will have to undergo and * pass the driver's examination. Obey the law. Save yourself time, inconvenience and expense by getting your Motor Vehicle Operator's License without delay. Ontario Department of Highways \ any one. is hiding things from me, 1 suspect that the thing hidden may be | something very bad mdeed. You have | done well" od "I'm glad I'm cleared from suspic- on," laughed Raymond, "I'l be off now." "So that is that," I remarked, as the door closed behind the young secre- iary. "Yes," agreed Poirot. telle=but 11 he had not been in the billiard room---who knows? After all, | many crimes have been committed for | A mere baga- the sake of less than five hundred pounds. It all depends on what swh is sufficient to break a man. A ques- tion of the relativity, is it not so? Have you reflected, my friend, that many people in that house stood to benefit by Mr. Ackroyd's death? Mrs, | Ackroyd, Miss Flora, young Mr. Ray- | mond, the housekeeper, Miss Russell. | Only one, in fact, does not, Major} Blunt." His tone in utfering that name was so peculiar that I Jooked up, puzzled, "I don't quite understand you," I said, "Two of the people I accused have! Solvay Coke We are Sole Agents Jeddo Premium Coal The Best Produced in America General Motors Wood -- All Fuel Orders weighed on City Scales if desired. DIX Telephone~-- 262 ON'S | = given me the truth." "You think Major Blunt has some- | thing to conceal, also?" "As for that," remarked Poirot non- chalantly, 'there is a' saying, is there not, that Englishmen conceai only ene thing--their love? And Major Bluui, I should say, is not good at conceal- ments." "Sometimes," 1 said, we haven't rather clusions on one point. "What is that?" "We've assumed that the blackmailer of Mrs. Ferrars is necessarily the mur- derer of Mr. Ackroyd. Mightn't we be mistaken?" Poirot nodded energetically, "Very good. Very good indeed, | wondered if that idea would come to you. Of course it is possible, But we must remember one point. The letter disappeared, - Still, that, as you say, may not necessarily mean that the murderer took it. When you firs: found the body, Parker may have ab- stracted the letter unnoticed by you." "Parker?" "Yes, Parker. I always come back to Parker--not as the murderer--no, he did not commit the murder; but who is more suitable than he as the mysterious scoundrel who terrorised Mrs, Ferrars? He may have got his informatio nabout Mr. Ferrars' death from one of the King's Paddock ser- vants. At any rate, he is more likely to have come upon it than a casual Ruest such as Blunt, for instance." "Parker might have taken the let- ter," I admitted. "It wasn't till later that I noticed it was gone." "How much later? After Blunt and Raymond were in the room, or be- fore?" "I can't remember," | said slowly. "I think it was before--no, afterwards, Yes, I'm almost sure it was after- wards." "That widens the field to three," said Poirot thoughtfully, "But, Parker is the most likely. It is in my mind to try a little experiment with Parker. How say you, my friend, will you ac- company me to Fernly?" F acquiesced, and we set out at once. Poirot asked to see Miss Ackroyd, and presently Flora came to us. "Mademoiselle Flora," said Poirot, "I have to confide in you a little secret. 1 am not yet satisfied of the innocence of Parker. I propose to make a little experiment with your assistance. [ want to reconstruct: some of his actions on that night. But we must think oi something to tell him--ah! I have it. I wish to satisfy myself as to whether voices in the little lobby could have been heard outside on the terrace. Now, ring for Parker, if you will be 80 good." I did so, and presently the butler ap- peared, suave as ever. "You rang, sir?" "Yes, my good Parker. [| have in mind a little experiment. | have plared Major Blunt on the terrace outs the study wimdow. [| wat to see if any one there could have heard the voices of Miss Ackroyd and yourself m the lobby that night. I want to.en- act that littl scene over again) Per "lI wonder ii jumped to con- Nem ---- haps you will fetch the tray or what- ever it was you were carrying?" Parker vanished, and we repaired to the lobby outside the study door. Pre- sently we heard a chin 'n the outer hall, and Parker appea the door- way carrying a tray with a siphon, a decanter of whisky, and lisses on it. "One moment," cried "on 8 his hand and seemingly ve ted, "We must have everviliing rder Just as it occurred. It is a littl of mine." "A foreign custom, sir," said Parker "Reconstruction of the crime they cali it, do they not?" He was quite imperturbable as he stood there politely awaiting on Poir- ot's orders. "Ah! he knows something, the good Parker," cried Poirot. "He: has reac of these things. Now, I beg you, le us have everything of the most exact You came from the outer hall -- so Mademoiselle was--where?" "Here," said Flora, taking up hes stand just outside the study door. "Quite right, sir," said Parker. "I had just closed' the door," con tinued Flora. "Yes, miss," agreed Parker. "Yow hand was still on the handle as it 1. now." "Then allez," said Poirot. the little comedy." ; Flora stood with her hand bn the door handle, and Parker cantg stepping through the door from the hall, bear: ing the tray. He stopped Flora spoke. "Oh! Parker. Mr. Ackroyd doesn't want to be disturbed again to-night." « "Is that right?" she added in a undertone, "To the best of my recollection, Miss Flora," said Parker, "but I fancy you nethod "Play nu just inside the doo used the word evening instead of night." Then, raising his voice in & somewhat theatrical fashion: "Very good, miss. Shall I lock up as usual?' "Yes, please." «+ . Parker retir through the door, Flora followed him, and 'started to ascend the main staircase. "Is that enough?" she asked over her shoulder. "Admirable," declared the little moo, rubbing his hands. "By the way Park- er, are you sure there were two glasses on the tray that evening? Who was the second one for? "I always bring two glasses, sir," said Parker. "Is there anything further?" r ; "Nothing. I thank you." L Parker withdrew, dignified to the Jast. Parker stood in the middle of th hall frowning. Flora came down an: joined us. -*Has your experiment becn success ful?" she asked. "I don't quipe under stapd, you know--" Poirot smiled admiringly at her. "It is mot necessary that you should," he said. "But tell me, were there indeed two glasses on Parker's tray that.night ?" A wi i object of your experiment?" "I really can't remember," she said. think there was. Is--is that the Poirot took her hand and patted it. "Put it this way," he said. un always interested to sce if people will speak the truth." "And did Parkgr speak the truth*" "I rather think he did," said Poirot voughtfully. A few minutes later saw us retracing our steps to the village. "What was the pomt of that ques- tion about the glasses?" 1 asked curiously. Poirot shrugged his shoulders. "One must say something," he re- marked. "That particular question did as well as any other." I stared at him "At anyrate, my friend," he sad more seriously, "I, know now some- ching 1 wanted to know. Let us-leave t at thas" To be continued Men's He une. zood 0 §74,95 I. Collis & Sons 50-34 King Street 'West, Oshawa ey. "Speci, ov 91 Leader Dry Goods Co. 82 Simcoe St. 8. Phone 740° Oshawa Luggage YOUR INITIAL FREE On Suit Case or Club Bag Saywell & Son BOND ST. WEST | Opp. Centre St. Phone 733W ee... a omelrist EYESIGHT SPECIALIST. Does your work require close range vision? 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