THE PARLORMAID
"See this Mrs. Folliott. Find out all you can about Ursula Bourne."
"Very well. But—I don't much care for the job."
"It is not the time to make difficulties. A man's life may hang on this."
"Poor Ralph," I said with a sigh. "You believe him to be innocent, though?"
Poirot looked at me very gravely.
"Do you want to know the truth?"
"Of course."
"Then you shall have it. My friend, everything points to the assumption that he is guilty."
"What!" I exclaimed.
Poirot nodded.
"Yes, that stupid inspector—for he is stupid—has everything pointing his way. I seek for the truth—and the truth leads me every time to Ralph Paton. Motive, opportunity, means. But I will leave no stone unturned. I promised Mademoiselle Flora. And she was very sure, that little one. But very sure indeed."
[135]
