The Goldfish Pond

           Wewalkedbacktothehousetogether.Therewasnosignoftheinspector.Poirotpausedontheterraceandstoodwithhisbacktothehouse,slowlyturninghisheadfromsidetoside.

           "Unebelleproprietor"hesaidatlastappreciatively."Whoinheritsit?"Hiswordsgavemealmostashock.Itisanoddthing,butuntilthatmomentthequestionofinheritancehadnevercomeintomyhead.Poirotwatchedmekeenly.

           "Itisanewideatoyou,that,"hesaidatlast."Youhadnotthoughtofitbefore–eh?""No,"Isaidtruthfully."IwishIhad."Helookedatmeagaincuriously.

           "Iwonderjustwhatyoumeanbythat,"hesaidthoughtfully."Oh!no,"asIwasabouttospeak."Inutile!Youwouldnottellmeyourrealthought.""Everyonehassomethingtohide,"Iquoted,smiling.

           "Exactly.""Youstillbelievethat?""Morethanever,myfriend.ButitisnoteasytohidethingsfromHerculePoirot.Hehasaknackoffindingout."HedescendedthestepsoftheDutchgardenashespoke.

           "Letuswalkalittle,"hesaidoverhisshoulder.Theairispleasanttoday."Ifollowedhim.Heledmedownapathtotheleftenclosedinyewhedges.Awalkleddownthemiddle,borderedeachsidewithformalflowerbeds,andattheendwasaroundpavedrecesswithaseatandapondofgoldfish.

           Insteadofpursuingthepathtotheend,Poirottookanotherwhichwoundupthesideofawoodedslope.Inonespotthetreeshadbeenclearedaway,andaseathadbeenput.