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Chapter IV. Poirot Investigates
Isthisthekeythatwaslost?”Hedrewfromhispocketthekeythathehadfoundinthelockofthedespatch-caseupstairs.
Dorcas’seyeslookedasthoughtheywouldpopoutofherhead.
“That’sit,sir,rightenough.Butwheredidyoufindit?Ilookedeverywhereforit.”
“Ah,butyouseeitwasnotinthesameplaceyesterdayasitwasto-day.Now,topasstoanothersubject,hadyourmistressadarkgreendressinherwardrobe?”
Dorcaswasratherstartledbytheunexpectedquestion.
“No,sir.”
“Areyouquitesure?”
“Oh,yes,sir.”
“Hasanyoneelseinthehousegotagreendress?”
Dorcasreflected.
“MissCynthiahasagreeneveningdress.”
“Lightordarkgreen?”
“Alightgreen,sir;asortofchiffon,theycallit.”
“Ah,thatisnotwhatIwant.Andnobodyelsehasanythinggreen?”
“No,sir—notthatIknowof.”
Poirot’sfacedidnotbetrayatraceofwhetherhewasdisappointedorotherwise.Hemerelyremarked:
“Good,wewillleavethatandpasson.Haveyouanyreasontobelievethatyourmistresswaslikelytotakeasleepingpowderlastnight?”
“Notlastnight,sir,Iknowshedidn’t.”
“Whydoyouknowsopositively?”
“Becausetheboxwasempty.Shetookthelastonetwodaysago,andshedidn’thaveanymoremadeup.”
“Youarequitesureofthat?”
“Positive,sir.”
“Thenthatisclearedup!Bytheway,yourmistressdidn’taskyoutosignanypaperyesterday?”
“Tosignapaper?No,sir.”
“WhenMr.HastingsandMr.
