Ralph Paton’s Story

           Itwasaveryuncomfortableminuteforme.Ihardlytookinwhathappenednext,buttherewereexclamationsandcriesofsurprise!WhenIwassufficientlymasterofmyselftobeabletorealizewhatwasgoingon,RalphPatonwasstandingbyhiswife,herhandinhis,andhewassmilingacrosstheroomatme.

           Poirot,too,wassmiling,andatthesametimeshakinganeloquentfingeratme.

           "HaveInottoldyouatleastthirty-sixtimesthatitisuselesstoconcealthingsfromHerculePoirot?"hedemanded.

           "Thatinsuchacasehefindsout?"Heturnedtotheothers.

           "Oneday,youremember,weheldalittleseanceaboutatable–justthesixofus.Iaccusedtheotherfivepersonspresentofconcealingsomethingfromme.Fourofthemgaveuptheirsecret.DrShepparddidnotgiveuphis.ButallalongIhavehadmysuspicions.DrSheppardwenttotheThreeBoarsthatnighthopingtofindRalph.Hedidnotfindhimthere;butsupposing,Isaidtomyself,thathemethiminthestreetonhiswayhome?DrSheppardwasafriendofCaptainPaton’s,andhehadcomestraightfromthesceneofthecrime.Hemustknowthatthingslookedveryblackagainsthim.Perhapsheknewmorethanthegeneralpublicdid""Idid,"Isaidruefully."IsupposeImightaswellmakeacleanbreastofthingsnow.IwenttoseeRalphthatafternoon.

           Atfirstherefusedtotakemeintohisconfidence,butlaterhetoldmeabouthismarriage,andtheholehewasin.