Flora Ackroyd

           AsIwasreturningfrommyroundthefollowingmorning,IwashailedbyInspectorRaglan.Ipulledup,andtheinspectormountedonthestep.

           "Goodmorning,DrSheppard,"hesaid."Well,thatalibiisallrightenough.""CharlesKent’s?""CharlesKent’s.ThebarmaidattheDogandWhistle,SallyJones,sheremembershimperfectly.Pickedouthisphotographfromamongfiveothers.Itwasjustaquartertotenwhenhecameintothebar,andtheDogandWhistleiswelloveramilefromFernlyPark.Thegirlmentionsthathehadalotofmoneyonhim–shesawhimtakeahandfulofnotesoutofhispocket.Rathersurprisedher,itdid,seeingtheclassoffellowhewas,withapairofbootscleandroppingoffhim.That’swherethatfortypoundswentrightenough.""ThemanstillrefusestogiveanaccountofhisvisittoFernly?""Obstinateasamuleheis.IhadachatwithHayesatLiverpooloverthewirethismorning.""HerculePoirotsaysheknowsthereasonthemanwenttherethatnight,"Iobserved.

           "Doeshe?"criedtheinspectoreagerly.

           "Yes,"Isaidmaliciously."HesayshewenttherebecausehewasborninKent."Ifeltadistinctpleasureinpassingonmyowndiscomfiture.

           Raglanstaredatmeforamomentortwouncomprehendingly.

           Thenagrinoverspreadhisweasellycountenanceandhetappedhisforeheadsignificantly.

           "Butgonehere,"hesaid."I’vethoughtsoforsometime.