INSPECTOR RAGLAN IS CONFIDENT
must have welled up just lately at the end of the path from the drive. See here."
A small graveled path joined the terrace a few feet away. In one spot, a few yards from its termination, the ground was wet and boggy. Crossing this wet place there were again the marks of footsteps, and amongst them the shoes with rubber studs.
Poirot followed the path on a little way, the inspector by his side.
"You noticed the women's footprints?" he said suddenly.
The inspector laughed.
"Naturally. But several different women have walked this way—and men as well. It's a regular short cut to the house, you see. It would be impossible to sort out all the footsteps. After all, it's the ones on the window-sill that are really important."
Poirot nodded.
"It's no good going farther," said the inspector, as we came in view of the drive. "It's all graveled again here, and hard as it can be."
Again Poirot nodded, but his eyes were fixed on a small garden house—a kind of superior summerhouse. It was a little to the left of the path ahead of us, and a graveled walk ran up to it.
Poirot lingered about until the inspector had gone back towards the house. Then he looked at me.
"You must have indeed been sent from the good God to replace my friend Hastings," he said, with a twinkle. "I observe that you do not quit my side. How say
[103]
