"Yes," I said, "Alfred Inglethorp, without doubt."

Poirot looked at me curiously.

"You are very sure of his guilt?"

"Well, naturally. Every fresh circumstance seems to establish it
more clearly."

"On the contrary," said Poirot quietly, "there are several points
in his favour."

"Oh, come now!"

"Yes."

"I see only one."

"And that?"

"That he was not in the house last night."

" 'Bad shot!' as you English say! You have chosen the one point
that to my mind tells against him."

"How is that?"

"Because if Mr. Inglethorp knew that his wife would be poisoned
last night, he would certainly have arranged to be away from the