I Learn My Neighbour’s Profession

           OnthefollowingmorningIhurriedunforgivablyovermyround.MyexcusecanbethatIhadnoveryseriouscasestoattend.OnmyreturnCarolinecameintothehalltogreetme.

           "FloraAckroydishere,"sheannouncedinanexcitedwhisper.

           "What?"IconcealedmysurpriseasbestasIcould.

           "She’sveryanxioustoseeyou.She’sbeenherehalfanhour."Carolineledthewayintooursmallsitting-room,andIfollowed.

           Florawassittingonthesofabythewindow.Shewasinblackandshesatnervouslytwistingherhandstogether.Iwasshockedbythesightofherface.Allthecolourhadfadedawayfromit.Butwhenshespokehermannerwasascomposedandresoluteaspossible.

           "DrSheppard,Ihavecometoaskyoutohelpme?""Ofcoursehe’llhelpyou,mydear,"saidCaroline.

           Idon’tthinkFlorareallywishedCarolinetobepresentattheinterview.Shewould,Iamsure,haveinfinitelypreferredtospeaktomeprivately.Butshealsowantedtowastenotime,soshemadethebestofit.

           "IwantyoutocometoTheLarcheswithme.""TheLarches?"Iqueried,surprised.

           "Toseethatfunnylittleman?"exclaimedCaroline.

           "Yes.Youknowwhoheis,don’tyou?""Wefancied,"Isaid,"thathemightbearetiredhairdresser."Flora’sblueeyesopenedverywide.

           "Why,he’sHerculePoirot!YouknowwhoImean–theprivatedetective.