"Ralph," said Blunt. "I see—always Ralph."
"You don't understand," said Flora hopelessly. "You never will."
She turned to the inspector.
"I admit everything; I was at my wit's end for money. I never saw my uncle that evening after he left the dinner-table. As to the money, you can take what steps you please. Nothing could be worse than it is now!"
Suddenly she broke down again, hid her face in her hands, and rushed from the room.
"Well," said the inspector in a flat tone, "so that's that."
He seemed rather at a loss what to do next.
Blunt came forward.
"Inspector Raglan," he said quietly, "that money was given to me by Mr. Ackroyd for a special purpose. Miss Ackroyd never touched it. When she says she did, she is lying with the idea of shielding Captain Paton. The truth is as I said, and I am prepared to go into the witness box and swear to it."
He made a kind of jerky bow, then turning abruptly, he left the room.
Poirot was after him in a flash. He caught the other up in the hall.
"Monsieur—a moment, I beg of you, if you will be so good."
"Well, sir?"
Blunt was obviously impatient. He stood frowning down on Poirot.
"It is this," said Poirot rapidly: "I am not deceived by
[234]
