PARTONECHAPTERONE

'Don'tyouagreethatshe'sgottobekilled?'Thewordsseemedtohanginthestillnightair,beforedisappearingintothedarkness.

It was Hercule Poirot's first night in the city of Jerusalem, and he wasshuttinghishotel-roomwindow-thenightairwasadangertohishealth!-whenheoverheardthesewords.Hesmiled.'Evenonholiday,Iamremindedofcrime,'hesaidtohimself.'Nodoubtsomeoneistalkingaboutaplayorabook.'Ashewalkedovertohisbed,hethoughtaboutthevoicehehadheard.Itwasthevoiceofaman-oraboy-andhadsoundednervousandexcited.'Iwillrememberthatvoice,' said Hercule Poirot to himself, as he lay down to sleep. 'Yes, I willremember.'

Intheroomnextdoor,RaymondBoyntonandhissisterCarollookedoutoftheirwindowintothedark-bluenightsky.Raymondsaidagain,'Don'tyouagreethatshe'sgottobekilled?Itcan'tgoonlikethis-itcan't.Wemustdosomething-andwhatelsecanwedo?'

Carolsaidinahopelessvoice, 'Ifonlywecouldjust leavesomehow!Butwecan't-wecan't.'

'People would say we were crazy,' said Raymond bitterly. 'They wouldwonderwhywecan'tjustwalkout-'

Carolsaidslowly,'Perhapswearecrazy!''Perhapsweare,'agreedRaymond.'Afterall,wearecalmlyplanningtokill

ourownmother!''Sheisn'tourrealmother!'saidCarol.'She'sourstepmother!'There was a pause. 'Do you still think she has to die?' asked Raymond

quietly.'Yes,Ido,'saidCarol.'She'smad-shemustbe.She-shewouldn'ttreatus

sobadly,tortureuslikethisifshewasn'tmad.It'slastedforyearsandyears,andIdon'tthinkitwilleverstop.Wekeepsaying,"She'lldiesometime"-butshehasn'tdied!Idon'tthinkshewilleverdie,unless-'

'Unless we kill her,' said Raymond. 'And you or I must do it - not ourbrotherLennox,oroursisterGinevra.Theymustn'tbeinvolved.'

'Andwemustdoitquickly,'saidCarol,'I'mreallyworriedaboutGinevra-

she'sgettingworse.''Andit'snotreallywrong,'saidRaymond. 'It's justlikekillingamaddog,

beforeithurtsanyoneelse.'Carol stoodup suddenly, pushingbackher red-brownhair fromher face.

'Butwewouldstillbesenttoprisonifwewerefoundout.Howcouldweexplainwhatmotherislike?Itwouldsoundcrazy-asifwewereimaginingit.'

'Nobodywillknow,'saidRaymond.'I'vegotaplan.We'llbesafe.''Ray,' saidCarol, 'you're different in someway. Something's happened to

you.Wasitthatgirlyoumetonthetrain?''No, of course not,' said Raymond. 'Carol, don't talk nonsense. Let's talk

aboutmyplan.''Areyousureitwillwork?'askedCarol.'Yes,Iam,'repliedherbrother. 'Wemustwaitfortherightopportunity,of

course.Andthen-we'llallbefree.''Free?'Carol lookedupat thestars.Thensuddenlyshestarted tocry. 'It's

suchalovelynight,withthestarsinthesky.Ifonlywecouldbepartofitall,like other people. But insteadwe are strange and twisted andwrong. Even ifmotherdies-isn'tittoolateforustochange?'

'No,Carol,it'snottoolate,'saidRaymond.'Butifyoudon'twantto-''I do want to - we must do it,' said Carol. 'Because of the others - and

especiallyGinevra.WemustsaveGinevra!'Raymondpausedamoment.'Allright,we'lldoit,'hesaid.'I'lltellyoumy

plan.'

CHAPTERTWOMiss Sarah King was standing in the lounge of the Solomon Hotel in

Jerusalem, looking at thenewspapers andmagazines,when a tallmiddle-agedFrenchman entered the room and walked towards her. Sarah looked up andsmiled, as she recognized themanwho had helped her carry her suitcases atCairo railway station. The Frenchman introduced himself as Dr TheodoreGerard.

'Dr TheodoreGerard?' Sarah's eyes openedwide in surprise. 'Oh! I'm soexcitedtomeetyou.I'vejustqualifiedasadoctormyself,andI'vereadallyourbooks.Youropinionsonmentalillnessandschizophreniaareveryinteresting.'

'Iwas just going to order some coffee,'DrGerard smiled, amused at thegirl'senthusiasm.'Willyoujoinme,Miss-?'

'King.MynameisSarahKing.'TheysatdownintheloungeandDrGerardorderedsomecoffee.'Areyou

stayinginJerusalemlong?'heasked,admiringSarah'sbeautifulblackhairandredlips.

'Justforafewdays,'saidSarah.'ThenIwanttogotothefamousrose-redcityofPetra-it'scarvedintotherock,Ibelieve,andIthinkittakesaboutaweektogetthereandback.'

'Aha!ItoowasthinkingofvisitingPetra,ifIhavetime,'saidDrGerard.Justthenagroupofpeopleenteredtheloungeandsatdown.Sarahlooked

at them with interest. 'Do you see that family of Americans?' she asked DrGerardquietly.'TheywereonthesametrainfromCairoasus.'

DrGerardlookedatthefamily.Firsthesawatallmanofaboutthirty,witha pleasant-looking face. Then he saw a goodlooking younger boy and girl -obviouslybrotherandsister-whobothlookednervousandexcited.Therewasanothergirlwhowasevenyounger-shewasbeautiful,withred-goldhair-andanotherwoman,whowasyoungandcalm,withdarkhairandapaleface.Butatthecentreofthegrouptherewasanoldwoman-withalarge,swollenbody.DrGerardthoughtshelookedlikeahugespiderinthemiddleofaweb!

'Whoarethey?'DrGerardaskedSarah.'ThefamilynameisBoynton,'Sarahreplied. 'Thereisthemother,married

son,hiswife,oneyoungersonandtwoyoungerdaughters.Theyallseemvery

strange.Theydon'tspeaktoanyoneelse,andtheydon'tdoanythingunlesstheoldwoman-themother-saysso.Theylooksoscared-soafraidofher.It'snotright!'

'Haveyouspokentothem?'DrGerardasked.'Ispoketotheyoungersononthetrain,'saidSarah.'Itwaspeculiar.Hewas

veryexcitedtospeaktome-butalsoafraid.He'satleasttwentythreeorfour,butheseemsveryyoung.Itisn'tnormal.'

DrGerardsmiled.'Isanyonereally"normal"?'heasked.Just then the younger son,RaymondBoynton, passedSarah's chair as he

fetched a magazine. Sarah looked up at him and asked, 'Have you beensightseeingtoday?'

Raymondjumpednervouslyandhisfacewentred.'Oh-oh,yes,certainly.I-'Thensuddenly-asifaneedlehadbeenstuckintohim-hehurriedbacktohisfamily. The oldwoman,Mrs Boynton, held out a hand for themagazine andturnedherheadtolookatSarah.Theoldwoman'sfacehadnoexpression,anditwasimpossibletoknowwhatshewasthinking.

But Sarahwas looking at herwatch. 'Imust go, I'm afraid,DrGerard. Imustwritesomeletters.Thankyousomuchforthecoffee.'ThedoctorstoodupandshookSarah'shand.'PerhapsIwillseeyouagain,atPetra,'hesaid.

Sarah smiled at him and started towalk out of the lounge.MrsBoyntonstaredhardathersonRaymond,andasSarahpassed,Raymondturnedhisheadaway fromher, slowlyandunwillingly. Itwasas ifMrsBoyntonhadpulledastringthatnoonecouldsee.

SarahKingnoticedthatRaymondhadturnedawayfromher,andwasveryannoyed.Sheknewthatshewasanattractiveyoungwoman,andshedidn'tlikebeing ignored. 'Iwon'twaste time talking tohimagain,' shesaid toherself, asshewentupstairstoherhotelroom.

Instead of writing her letters, Sarah sat down in front of her bedroommirror.Whileshecombedherlovelyblackhair,shethoughtaboutherlife.

Thingshadbeendifficult forSarah recently.Shehadbeenengaged tobemarried to another youngdoctor, but amonth ago she had decided to end theengagement.Thoughtheywereveryattractedtoeachother,theybothlikedtobeinchargeandincontrol-andhadarguedallthetime!IthadbeenaharddecisionforSarah, and tohelpher forgether troubles shehadarranged this interesting

holidaybeforeshewentbacktowork.Sarahsighed,andforcedherselftothinkaboutthepresent,notthepast. 'I

hopeImeetDrGerardagain,'shethought.'I'dliketotalktohimabouthiswork.'Then she thought about Raymond Boynton. It was ridiculous for anyone -especiallyaman!-tobecontrolledbytheirmother.Suddenlyshefeltsorryforhim.

'Thatyoungmanneedstoberescued.'shesaidoutloud.'AndI'mgoingtodoit!'

CHAPTERTHREEAfterSarahleftthelounge,DrGerardmovedandsatnearertotheBoynton

family. Hewas curious about them andwanted to look at themmore closelyfromaprofessionalpointofview,asadoctor.Hepretendedtoreadanewspaper,whilelookingateachofthefamilyinturn.DrGerardhadguessedthatRaymondBoyntonandSarahwereattractedtoeachother,sofirsthelookedatRaymond.Theyoungmanlookedsensitiveandclever.'Butwhy,'thoughtDrGerard,'ishesonervousandexcited?'

Raymond'ssisterCarolwasalsonervous.Shekeptmovinginherchairandlooking around her, as if she couldn't relax. 'And she is afraid,' decided DrGerard.'Yes,sheisafraid!Butwhy?'

The Boynton family's conversation - about the tourist sights they wouldvisittomorrow-soundednormal.ButDrGerardthoughtthattheirwordswerehiding something. Underneath the surface there was some other emotion -thoughhedidn'tknowwhatthatemotionwas.

Next Dr Gerard looked at the elder brother, whose name was Lennox.Lennoxdidn'tseemtobeasnervousasRaymondandCarol.Insteadhelookedvery tired - exhausted.He didn't seem to care about anything.DrGerardwasremindedof people he had seen in hospital. 'He is exhausted - yes, exhaustedwith suffering.' thought the doctor. 'Now he just waits, waits for the end tocome.'

Finallyhelookedattheyoungestdaughter-thegirlwiththered-goldhair.Shewasaboutnineteen,withathin,beautifulface.Shewassittingverystill,andsmilingcalmlyatnothing.But thenDrGerardsawherhands-under the tabletheywerebusytearingadelicatehandkerchieftopieces.

CHAPTERFOURThen,inaslow,wheezingvoice,MrsBoyntonspoke.'Ginevra,you'retired.

Gouptobed.'The youngest daughter answered, in an attractive,musical voice. 'I'm not

tired,Mother.''Yes,youare,'repliedMrsBoynton.'Iknowwhatyou'relike.You'llbetoo

tiredtogoouttomorrow.You'llbeill.''I'mnottired!AndIwon'tbeill!'Ginevrabegantotremble.A soft, calmvoice said, 'I'll come upstairswith you,Ginevra.' Itwas the

quietyoungwomanwithdarkhair-NadineBoynton.'No.Lethergoupstairsalone,'saidMrsBoynton.'IwantNadinetocome!'saidGinevraexcitedly.'Youwouldprefertogoalone-wouldn'tyou,Ginevra?'saidMrsBoynton.Therewasapause.'Yes,Iwouldprefertogoalone,'saidGinevraBoynton

inaflat,dullvoice.Shegotupandlefttheroom.DrGerard put down his newspaper and looked atMrsBoynton. The old

womanwassmiling.Thensuddenlyshe lookedstraightatDrGerard,withhersmall black eyes. He realized that although she was old,Mrs Boynton had astrongpersonality-andpower.Hereyesweredarkandfrighteningandevil.DrGerardbreathedinquickly.Nowheknewtheemotionthatthefamilywashiding-itwashate.AllherchildrenhatedMrsBoynton.

DrGerard thought, 'Peoplewould think I am imaginingall this!'Thenhelookedat thequietyoungwoman,NadineBoynton.Sheworeawedding ring,andwaslookinganxiouslyatLennox.'So,'thoughtDrGerard,'sheismarriedtoLennox,theelderson.'Andherealizedthatalthoughshewasworriedaboutherhusband,NadinewasnotafraidofMrsBoynton.

'Thisisallveryinteresting,'saidDrGerardtohimself.

CHAPTERFIVEAtthatmomentamancameintothelounge,sawtheBoyntonsandwalked

towardsthem.Hewasapleasant,middle-aged,ordinary-lookingAmerican,witha long, clean-shaven face. He was dressed very neatly. 'I've been looking foryou,' he said, in a slow pleasant voice. He shook hands with each of theBoyntons.'Andhowareyou,MrsBoynton?'

'Myhealth is never good, as youknow,MrCope,'wheezed the old lady.'Nadineistakinggoodcareofme,butIcanonlygosightseeingforafewhoursaday.'

'Ithinkit'swonderful,MrsBoynton,thatyouhavetravelledsofar,'saidMrCope.

'It'sthemindthat'simportant!'wheezedMrsBoynton,'notthebody.''Andwhereareyougoingnext?'askedMrCope. 'Iamdefinitelygoingto

visitPetra,althoughittakesaboutaweektotravelthereandback.''I'dlovetovisitPetra,'saidCarol.'Itsoundsmarvellous.''Ifyoucan'tgotoPetrabecauseofyourhealth,MrsBoynton,perhapssome

ofyourfamilywouldliketovisititwithme,'suggestedMrCope.'Wedon'twanttoseparate,dowe,children?'saidMrsBoynton.Herquestionwasansweredquickly.'No,Mother.''Oh,no.''No,ofcoursenot.''Yousee,MrCope?'saidtheoldwomanwithastrangesmile. 'Theywon't

leaveme.''Youareaclosefamily,'saidMrCope,thoughhisvoicesoundedunsure.'Weprefertostaytogether,'saidMrsBoynton.'Bytheway,Raymond,who

wasthatyoungwomanwhospoketoyouearlier?'Raymondjumpednervously.Hisfacewentred,andthenwhite.'I-Idon't

knowhername.I-Imetheronthetrain.''Idon'tthinkwe'llspeaktoheragain,'saidMrsBoynton.Shetriedtostand

up,but itwasdifficultbecauseofher largeswollenbody.Nadinewenttohelpher.'Bedtime,'saidMrsBoynton.'Goodnight,MrCope.'Allherfamilyleftthe

room with Mrs Boynton - none of the others thought to stay in the loungewithouther.MrCopewatchedthemleave,withastrangeexpressiononhisface.

Dr Gerard decided to go and talk to Mr Cope. The American certainlyseemedlikeafriendlyman,sothedoctorwalkedoverandintroducedhimself.

MrCopewasimpressed.'I'mverypleasedtomeetyou,DrGerard,'hesaid.'You are famous in the medical profession. And there are quite a few otherfamouspeople staying in thishotel at themoment.Aswell asyou, there's thearchaeologist.SirMandersStone,andLadyWestholme,awell-knownMemberofParliament-andofcoursethefamousBelgiandetective,HerculePoirot.'

MrJeffersonCopewasindeedveryfriendly,andlikedtotalk.SoonheandDrGerardweresittinginthebarofthehotel,andafterafewdrinksDrGerardsaid, 'Sotellme,MrCope,whatdoyouknowaboutthatAmericanfamily, theBoyntons?'

'Well,'saidJeffersonCope,'NadineBoyntonisaveryoldfriendofmine.Iknew her before she wasmarried. She worked in a hospital, training to be anurse.ThenshewenttostaywiththeBoyntons,andmarriedLennox.'

MrCopepickeduphisglassanddrank.'LetmetellyouabouttheBoyntonfamily,'hesaid. 'ElmerBoynton,who isnowdead,wasaverycharmingman.His first wife died when Lennox, Raymond and Carol were young. Then hemarriedhis secondwife - the lady Iwas talking to - and theyhadadaughter,Ginevra.AfterElmerdied,MrsBoyntontotallydevotedherselftothechildren.Sheprotectedthemfromtherealworld.Theydon'thaveanyfriends,andhavegrownuptobeverynervous.'

'Dotheyallliveathome?'askedthedoctor.'Yes.''Doanyofthemwork?''No,'answeredMrCope.'ElmerBoyntonwasarichman,andheleftallhis

moneytoMrsBoyntonsoshecouldlookafterthechildren-theydon'thaveanymoneyoftheirown.Theylivealoneinabighouseinthecountry,andtheydon'tgoout,ordoanythingforthemselves.Itellyou,DrGerard,itseemsallwrongtome.'

'I agreewith you,' saidDrGerard. 'Do you think it is their fault, orMrsBoynton'sfault?'

Jefferson Cope moved in his chair. 'I think it's Mrs Boynton's fault,' headmitted, 'thoughI'msureshemeanttobekind.ButI'msurprisedthatnoneofthemwanttoleaveandlivetheirownlives.'

'Perhaps it's impossible for them to do that now,' said Dr Gerardthoughtfully. 'There are ways, Mr Cope, to stop people's minds growing anddeveloping.'

'Butsurely,'saidJeffersonCope,'aman-likeLennox-shouldn'tsitarounddoingnothing?ItmakesthingsverydifficultforNadine.Shedoesn'tcomplain,butIknowsheisn'thappy.'

'DoyouthinkNadineshouldleaveherhusband?'askedDrGerard.'Nadineneedstoliveherownlife,'saidJeffersonCope.Hisfaceturnedred.

'I loveand respectNadineverymuch. Iwanther tobehappy,and I'mhere tohelpherifsheneedsme.'

'WhatdoesMrsBoynton thinkofyour friendshipwithNadine?'askedDrGerardcuriously.

'I don't know,' said Jefferson Cope slowly. 'Normally she doesn't likeoutsiders, but she's been very kind to me. She treats me like I'm part of thefamily.'

'Thatseemsverystrange,'saidDrGerard.'Iwonderwhyshedoesn'tmindyoubeinghere.MrsBoyntoninterestsme.Yes,sheinterestsmeverymuch.'

DrGerardhadalottothinkaboutwhenhewentuptobed.

CHAPTERSIXSarah King was out enjoying the tourist sights in Jerusalem, and was

standingnearafamoustemple,listeningtothewaterinthefountains.Theplacewascalmandpeaceful,althoughtherewereothertouristswalkingaround.

Thensuddenlysheheardloudfootsteps,andtheBoyntonfamilyappeared.LennoxandRaymondwerehelpingMrsBoyntontowalk.NadineandMrCopefollowed behind them, andCarol came last. As theywere leaving, Carol sawSarah,andafterapauserantowardsher.

'I-Imustspeaktoyou,'saidCarolnervously.'MybrotherRaymonddidn'tmeantoberudetoyoulastnight.Pleasebelieveme.'

AtfirstSarahthoughtthatCarolwasbeingridiculous,butthensherealizedthat somethingwaswrongwith the girl - Carol was afraid, and her facewaswhite.'Dotellmeaboutit,'saidSarahgently.

'Itsoundssostupid,'saidCarolexcitedly.'IknowRaywouldliketotalktoyou.Butit'sourmother-sheisn'twell,andshedoesn'tlikeustohavefriends.We're a strange family.' Carol looked around, nervously. 'I must go now,' sheadded.

'Can'tyoustayandtalktome?'askedSarah.'No,Ican't,'saidCarol.'Mymother-''It'ssometimesdifficultforparents torealizethat theirchildrenaregrown

up,' saidSarahcalmly. 'Whydon't you just tell yourmotherwhatyouwant todo?'

Carol's hands twisted nervously. 'You don't understand,' she said. 'Beforehermarriagemymother-she'smystepmotherreally-workedinaprison.That'swhatourlivesarelike-it'slikebeinglockedupinprison!'Shelookedaroundnervouslyagain.'I-Imustgo!'

SarahheldCarol'sarmtostopherleaving.'Cometomyroomafteryougotobed,'saidSarah.'Comeandtalktome.I'minroomnumber319.'ThensheletgoofCarol'sarm,andthegirlquicklyranoff.Sarahstoodstaringafterher.Shewas interruptedby the arrivalofDrGerard, andSarah toldhimwhathad justhappened.

DrGerardwas interested. 'SoMrsBoyntonworked in a prison,' he said.

'Thatexplainsalotofthings.Shehasalwayswantedtohavepoweroverpeople-shedidthen,andshedoesnow.Shelikestohurtpeopleandmakethemsuffer.'

'That sounds horrible!' exclaimed Sarah. 'Why don't they all leave her -escapeandbefree?'

DrGerardshookhishead.'Theycan'tleavenow,'hesaid.'RememberthatMrsBoynton has controlled them since theywere children. They believe thattheyhavetodoeverythingshesays.Oh,Iknowmostpeoplewouldsaythatwasnonsense,butyouandIaredoctors-weknowitcanhappen.Nowtheyaretooafraidtobefree.'

'Whatwillhappenwhenshedies?'askedSarah.'It depends,' replied Dr Gerard. 'If Mrs Boynton died now, the younger

membersof thefamilycouldbecomenormal.ButI think itmaybe too late tohelpLennox.Hedoesn'tseemtohaveanyhope.'

'How can Mrs Boynton hurt her own family like that?' said Sarahpassionately.'Itshouldn'tbeallowed-someoneshouldstopher!'

CHAPTERSEVENThat night Sarah waited in her room, though she didn't think that Carol

Boyntonwouldcome.ShewasjustgoingtobedwhensheheardCarolknockonthedoor. 'I'msogladyou'rehere,'Sarahsaid,assheletthegirlin. 'Letmegetyousometea.'Carolwasnervous,butcalmeddownwhileshedrankhertea.

'I'madoctor,youknow,'saidSarah.'Ithinkyourmotherisveryinteresting-fromamedicalpointofview.Shemayhaveadiseasethatmakesherwanttocontrolpeople.'Sarahsaidthisonpurpose-shewantedCaroltothinkaboutMrsBoyntoninadifferentway.

Carolstared.Thiswasanewidea toher. 'It'ssogood to talk toyou!' shesaidwithrelief.'RayandIhavehadsomestrangeideaslately.'

'Ifyou'reunhappy,'saidSarah,'whydon'tyouleavehome?''We-wecan't,' saidCarol. 'Motherwouldn't letus.Andwherewouldwe

go?Whatwouldwedo?Wedon'thaveanymoney.'SarahcouldseethatCarolwasupset,soshechangedthesubject.'Doyoulikeyourstepmother?'sheasked.

SlowlyCarol shookherhead. 'Ihateher,' shewhispered. 'Rayand Iwishshe would die.' Again Sarah changed the subject. 'Tell me about your elderbrother,Lennox.'

'Something's wrong with Lennox,' said Carol. 'He doesn't speak muchanymore.Nadineisveryworriedabouthim.'

'Have Nadine and Lennox been married long?' asked Sarah. 'About fouryears,'repliedCarol. 'Lennoxusedtogooutsecretlyatnight,thoughhewasn'tallowedto-noneofuswere.Motherwasveryangrywhenshefoundout.ThensheaskedNadine-she'sapoorrelativeofmyfather's-tocomeandstay.Nadinewas training tobeahospitalnurse.Shecameandstayedwithus foramonth.MotherwasverypleasedwhenLennoxandNadinefellinlove.Shehelpedthemgetmarriedveryquickly,andtheynowlivewithus.'

'DidNadinewanttolivewithyou?'askedSarah.Carolhesitated.'Idon'tthinkso,'shesaid,'butshedidn'tmindatfirst.After

a while she wanted to leave so she and Lennox could live on their own, butmotherwouldn'tletthem.Idon'tthinkmotherlikesNadineanymore.'

'Andwhataboutyoursister?'askedSarah.

'Ginevra?' saidCarol. 'I'mworried aboutGinevra. She's been acting verystrangelylately.She-shedoesn'talwaysknowwhatshe'sdoing-shefrightensmesometimes.Andshewon'tseeadoctor.'SuddenlyCarolstoodup.'Imustgonow,'shesaid.'You'vebeenverykindtotalktome.Youmustthinkwe'reaverystrangefamily.'

'Oh,everyfamilyisstrange,'saidSarah.'Pleasevisitmeagain-andbringyourbrother,ifyoulike.'

'I'llcometomorrow!'saidCarolexcitedly.'Goodnight,andthankyou.'Carol went back to her room, opened the door and then gasped with

surprise.MrsBoyntonwas sitting on her bed. 'Where have you been, Carol?'demandedMrsBoynton,staringatthegirlwithherhorribleblackeyes.

Carol'sheartbeatfasterwithfear.'ToseeMissKing-SarahKing.''IsthatthegirlwhospoketoRaymondlastnight?''Yes,Mother.''YouarenotgoingtoseeMissKingagain,Carol-doyouunderstand?''Yes,Mother.''Doyoupromise?'saidMrsBoynton,standingupwithdifficultyandusing

herwalkingstick.'Yes,yes-Ipromise,'saidCarolinadull,emptyvoice.'Good.'MrsBoyntonwentoutandshutthedoor.Carolfeltsick.Shelaydownonherbedandcriedandcried.Whileshewas

talking to Sarah, Carol had been reminded that therewas aworld outside - aworldofsunlightandtreesandflowers.Butnowshewasbackinsidetheblackwallsofherprison.

CHAPTEREIGHTWhenCaroldidn't come toSarah's room thenextnight,Sarahdecided to

speak toNadineBoynton, and luckily foundher alone in the hotel lounge thenext day. Nadine was surprised when Sarah introduced herself and explainedwhathadhappened,butshesaid,'I'mgladCarolhasfoundafriendtotalkto.'

'ButwhenIspoketoCaroltoday,'continuedSarah,'shedidn'tanswer.Shejustlookedatmeandhurriedaway.'

'I'mverysorry,'saidNadine.'Carolis-anervousgirl.'Afterapause,Sarahdecided to speakopenly. 'Idon't think it'sverygood

forCarolnottohaveanyfriends.'NadineBoyntonlookedthoughtfullyatSarah.'Iagreewithyou,'shesaidat

last. 'Butmymother-in-law -MrsBoynton - is in bad health and doesn't likestrangers. I amsureMrsBoynton toldCarolnot to talk toyouagain.Carol isdoingwhatsheistold.'

Sarah felt very disappointed atNadine'swords. She thought she'd helpedCarol,but it seemed thatMrsBoyntonhadwon. Just thenMrsBoyntoncameintothehotellounge,leaningonawalkingstick.Raymondwashelpingher.MrsBoynton looked at Sarah, with an evil pleasure in her small black eyes. Sheknewshehadwon.Sarahturnedaway.

'I think I'll sit down and rest before I go out,' said Mrs Boynton withenjoyment.NadineandRaymondsatdownbesideher.

'So that'sMissKing,' saidMrsBoynton. 'Whydon't yougoand speak toher,Ray?'Shesmiledunpleasantly.

Raymond'sfaceturnedred.'Idon'twanttospeaktoher,'hesaid.'No,'saidMrsBoynton,stillsmiling.'Youwon'tspeaktoher.Youcouldn't

evenifyouwantedto!'Shecoughedsuddenly.'I'menjoyingthistrip,Nadine,'shesaid.'I'mverygladwecame.Ray?''Yes,Mother?''Goandgetmeamagazinefromthattable.'Raymondstoodupandwalkedacrosstheroom,closetoSarah,wholooked

uphopefully.ButRaymonddidn'tlookather.Hisfacewaswhiteashehanded

themagazinetohismother.VerysoftlyMrsBoyntonsaid,'Ah...'asshewatchedherson'sface.ThenshesawthatNadinewaslookingather,andshesaidangrily,'Where'sMrCopetoday?'

'Idon'tknow.Ihaven'tseenhim,'saidNadinecalmly.'I likehim,' saidMrsBoynton. 'Wemust seehimmoreoften.Wouldyou

likethat?''Yes,'saidNadine.'Ilikehim,too.''Andwhat's thematterwithLennoxlately?'continuedMrsBoynton. 'He's

veryquiet.Perhapsyou'dliketoliveinahouseofyourown?'Nadinesmiled.'Butyouwouldn'tlikethat,mother.'MrsBoynton'sfaceturneddarkred.'Iforgotmyheartmedicine,'shesaid.

'Getitforme,Nadine.'Nadinestoodupandwentupstairstogetthemedicine.Thenshewentinto

herownhotelroom,whereshefoundherhusbandsittingbythewindow.'Lennox,wemustleave!'saidNadinetoherhusband.'Wemustgetaway.'ItwasamomentortwobeforeLennoxanswered-itseemedasifNadine's

wordshadalongwaytotravelbeforeheheardthem.'Dowehavetotalkaboutthisagain?'

'Yes,wedo,'saidNadine.'Let'sgoaway.Icanworkandearnmoney.Iwanta lifeofmyown-withyou.Yourmother ismad!Shedoesn'twantyou tobehappy.'

'Butmothercan'tliveforever,'saidLennox. 'Herhealthisbad.Whenshedieswe'llgetourshareofmyfather'smoney.'

'It may be too late by then,' said Nadine, 'too late for us to be happy.Lennox,Iloveyou.Areyougoingtochoosemeoryourmother?'

'YouknowIloveyou,Nadine,'saidLennox.'You'refartoogoodforme.''Ifyoudon'twanttoleave,'saidNadine,'Ican'tforceyou.ButIcanleave-

infact,IthinkIwill!'Lennoxstaredathiswife.Foroncehespokequickly.'Butyoucan'tleave!

Motherwouldn'tletyou.''Shecan'tstopme,'saidNadine.'IcandowhatIwant.'

'Nadine - don't leave me, don't leave me...' Lennox spoke like a child.Nadineturnedherheadaway,sothathedidn'tseehowupsetshewas.

'Thencomewithme,Lennox-youcan!'Lennoxturnedawayfromhiswife.'Ican't,'hesaid,'Ican't.Idon'thavethe

courage...'

CHAPTERNINEAfewdayslater,DrGerardandSarahKingmetatthetravelagency,where

theywerebotharrangingavisit toPetra. 'Aretheremanyotherpeoplegoing?'DrGerardaskedSarah.

'I think it's just you, me and two other women,' replied Sarah. 'Enoughpeopleforonecar.'

Once theyhadbothmade their travel arrangements, theywalkedout intothesunshine.'I'vebeenawayforafewdays,'explainedDrGerard.'IsthereanynewsabouttheBoyntons?'

'I think they're leaving today,' saidSarah, 'and Idon'tknowwhere they'regoing.'She toldDrGerardwhathadhappened. 'I feelstupidfor trying tohelpCarol,'sheadded.

'Can you ever really help someone else?' asked the doctor. 'At least youtried. Fromwhat you have said,Mrs Boyntonwas very clever about her sonLennox.SheinvitedNadine-aprettybutpooryoungwoman-tostay,andsheeven helped Lennox and Nadine get married. But Nadine has a strongpersonality,andshe'snotafraidofMrsBoynton.I'msureshehopesshecanstillescape.'

Theywalkedbacktothehoteltogether,andpassedLennox,NadineandMrCope,whowerestandingnexttosomesuitcases.DrGerardwentuptohisroom,whileSarahwalked slowly into thehotel lounge.There she sawMrsBoyntonsittinginachair,waitingtoleave.Lookingather,Sarahsuddenlyfeltangry.MrsBoyntonwasjustastupidoldwoman-shewaspathetic.Shedidn'thaveanyrealpower - all she could do was hurt and control her own children. She wasn'timportanttoanyoneelse.

Sarah went up to her. 'Goodbye,Mrs Boynton,' she said. 'I think you'vebeenverysilly, trying to stopRaymondandCarol talking tome.You're reallyratherpathetic.It'smuchbettertobekindandfriendlytopeople.'

Therewasa longpause.MrsBoyntonsatverystill,andwhenshe finallyspoke her voice could be heard very clearly. Her evil black eyes looked, notdirectlyatSarah,butoverSarah'sshoulder.

'Ineverforget,'saidMrsBoynton.'Rememberthat.Ineverforgetanything-anaction,anameoraface...'Thewayshespokethesewordswassopoisonous

that Sarah stepped back. And then Mrs Boynton laughed - it was a horriblelaugh.

'Youpooroldthing,'saidSarah,assheturnedaway.As Sarahwalked towards the lift shemetRaymondBoynton. 'Goodbye,'

saidSarah.'Ihopeyouhavealovelytime.Perhapswe'llmeetagainsomeday.'Shesmiledathimwarmly,andwentuptoherroom.Raymondstoodverystill,lostinthought.Hewasstandinginfrontofthelift,andasmallmanwithabigmoustachehadtospeaktohimseveraltimesbeforehenoticedandmovedoutoftheway.

Just thenCarolappeared. 'Ray,willyougoandgetGinevra?She's inherroom.We'releavingnow.'

'Allright,'saidRaymond.'I'llgoandfindher.'Hewalkedtowardsthelift.HerculePoirot,withhiseyebrowsraisedinsurprise,watchedRaymondas

he left.After awhilehenoddedhishead, as ifhehaddecided something.HewalkedthroughtheloungeandlookedatCarol,whowaswithhermother.

'Excuseme,'HerculePoirotsaidtoapassingwaiter.'Canyoutellmewhothosepeopleare?'

'ThenameisBoynton,monsieur-theyareAmericans.''Thankyou,'saidHerculePoirot.Uponthethirdfloorofthehotel,DrGerardpassedRaymondandGinevra

Boynton,whowerewalking towards the open doors of the lift.As theywereabouttogetintoit,Ginevrasaid,'Justaminute,Ray,waitformeinthelift.'

She ran round the corner to Dr Gerard. 'Please help me,' Ginevra saidquickly.'They'retakingmeaway!Theywanttokillme.Idon'tbelongtothem,mynameisn'treallyBoynton.Pleasehelpmetoescape!'

She stopped suddenly as she heard footsteps. 'Ginevra?' saidRay's voice.Thegirllookedbeautifulassheputafingeronherlips,andlookedsadlyatDrGerard.'I'mcoming,Ray,'shesaid,andranbacktoherbrother.

DrGerardwalkedontohisroom.Slowlyheshookhisheadandfrowned.

CHAPTERTENSarahcamedownthestairsofthehotel,readytostartthejourneytoPetra.

Outsideshesawalargemasterfulwoman,whosheknewwasalsostayingatthehotel. Thewomanwas complaining loudly about the size of the car that wasgoingtotakethemtoPetra.'Itismuchtoosmallforfourpeople-andourguide,'thewomanwassaying.'Takeitawayandbringusabiggercar!'

The young man from the travel agency tried to argue, but the womanwouldn'tlistentohim.'Thiscarisnotbigenough,'shesaid.'IwaspromisedthatIwould travel ina "comfortablecar".Soyouwillprovideacomfortablecar -andatnoextracost!'Theyoungmanstoppedtryingtoargue,andlefttofindabiggercar.

Looking very pleased, thewoman turned to Sarah. 'Are youMissKing?'sheasked.'IamLadyWestholme.'

Sarah looked at Lady Westholme - she had heard about her. LordWestholme, her husband,was amiddle-agedmanwhowasn't very clever.Hehadmethiswife-whosenamewasMrsVansittart-onashiptravellingbacktoEnglandfromAmerica.Soonafterwardstheyweremarried.

When she realized thatherhusbandwasnevergoing tobe a success, thenewLadyWestholmewaselectedas aMemberofParliament.Shehad strongopinions on everything, especially women's rights - she thought that womenwere just as good asmen - and always thought that she knewbest. EveryonerespectedLadyWestholme,butnoonelikedher.

Just then Dr Gerard came out of the hotel, and Sarah introduced him toLadyWestholme.ThenthefourthpersongoingtoPetraarrived.HernamewasMiss Amabel Pierce, a little middle-aged woman, with untidy grey hair. Sheseemedrathervagueandindecisive.

LadyWestholmetookcontrol.'Doyouhaveajob,MissKing?''Ihavejustqualifiedasadoctor,'repliedSarah.'Good,'saidLadyWestholme.'Itiswomenwhowillachievethingsinthis

world! I myself am very organized and efficient. Just thismorning I told themanagerhowhecouldimprovethingsinourhotel.'LadyWestholmedidseemto be efficient, because in fifteen minutes a very large and comfortable car

arrived.LadyWestholme told thedriver thebestway toarrange their luggage,andthentheystartedthejourneytoPetra.

Aftervisiting theDeadSea, they stopped for lunchat thecityof Jericho.Whiletheotherswenttolookatthecity,Sarahstayedbehindinthehotelgarden.Shehadaheadache,andwas feelingmiserable.LadyWestholme's loudvoice,Miss Pierce's chatter - and even Dr Gerard - were all annoying her, and shewishedshewasn'tgoingtoPetra.

She wondered where the Boyntons were now - and what Raymond wasdoing.'WhyamIthinkingaboutpeopleIwon'tseeagain?'thoughtSarah.'AndwhydidIsaythosethingstoMrsBoynton?Itwasstupidofme.AndI'msureotherpeopleheardwhatIsaid-IthinkLadyWestholmewascloseby.'

DrGerardreturnedandsatdown,wipinghishotface.'Phew!'hesaid.'Thatwomanisunbearable!'Sarahjumped.'MrsBoynton?'

'No,ImeanLadyWestholme!'saidDrGerard.'Howdoesherhusbandlivewithher?'

'I'veheardthatLordWestholmeisveryproudofhiswifeandtheworkshedoes,'saidSarah.

'Or perhaps he is pleased that her work takes her away from home,'suggestedDrGerard.'She'sstillunbearable.'

'I just find her annoying,' said Sarah. 'She's so controlling and thinks sheknowsbest.ButMissPierce is annoying, too - she's sovague and inefficient!Shetoldmethatsheusedtoteachveryyoungchildren.Thenarelativediedandlefthersomemoney,sonowshe'stravellingandenjoyingherself.'

Atthismomenttheothersreturned,andafterashortresttheyallgotbackin the car and continued their journey. The road went uphill, twisting andturning.Lateintheafternoontheyreachedthenexttown,Amman,andwenttobedsoonaftervisitingafewsights.

Thenextmorningtheygotupearly,readytodrivealldayacrossthedesert.Thedaywashot,andbythetimetheystoppedforlunchitwasevenhotter.Theheatwasmaking everyone annoyedwith each other. LadyWestholme andDrGerard had an argument about politics, while Sarah listened to Miss Piercechatteronaboutnothing.TheyreachedthetownofMa'ananhourbeforesunset,andthendroveonacrosstheflatdesert.SarahwonderedwherethecityofPetrawas.Shecouldn'tseeanyhillsormountainsanywhere,andPetrawasbuiltinto

rock.Howmuchlongerdidtheyhavetotravel?AtthevillageofAinMusatheirguideMahmoudsaidthattheyweregoing

to leave the car behind and ride on horses to Petra.Miss Pierce looked veryuncomfortable sitting on her thin horse, but Lady Westholme wore sensibleridingbreeches,whichdidnotsuither.

Mahmoudledthehorsesalongapaththatwentdownhill.Sarah,whowastiredafter the longhotdrive in thecar, thought that theridewas likeadream.Thepathtwisteddownanddown,untilredcliffsrosehighabovethemonbothsides.Thepathwasdeepandnarrowandendless, twisting throughthe tall redcliffs.Thesunwentdown,andstilltheyrodeon,lostdeepdownintheearth.'It'snotreal,' thoughtSarah,aslampswerelitsotheycouldsee. 'Ican'tbelieveit'sreal.'

Then suddenly the narrow cliffswere behind them, and they arrived in awide open space. Sarah could see lights far ahead of her. 'That is our camp,'explainedMahmoud.

AfterawhileSarahcouldseesometentsstandingonaridgeofrock,higherup against the cliff, and therewere some caves, too, in the rocks. Theywerenearly there. Local Bedouin servants came running out of tents as theyapproached.

Sarahstaredupatoneof thecaves.Shecouldseesomethingorsomeonesitting there.Whatwas it?Was it a religious statue, guarding the camp?ThenSarah'sheartbeatfaster.Sherecognizedthesittingfigureandknewwhoitwas-MrsBoynton.

CHAPTERELEVENMrsBoyntonwashere,atPetra!Sarah couldn't believe it. She found it hard to listen to the questions that

peoplewereaskingher.Wouldshe likedinner?Wouldshesleep ina tentoracave?Sarahchoseatent,andwastakentherebyoneofthecampservants.Heworeadirtycoatandbreeches,muchrepaired,anduntidyputtees-longstripsoffabricwrappedroundhislowerlegs.Onhisheadheworethelocalcheffiyah-apieceofclothwrappedroundhisheadtoprotecthisfaceandneckfromthesunandthedesertsand.

InhertentSarahwashedherfaceandcombedherblackhair,whichmadeherfeelbetter.Thenshesteppedoutintothedarknight,andstartedtowalktothelargemarqueetojointheothersfordinner.

'You - here?' Sarah heard a low, amazed voice. She turned and lookedstraight intoRaymondBoynton'seyes.He lookedsoamazedandhappy toseeher,thatSarahwasalmostafraid.Shewouldrememberthatlookfortherestofherlife.

'You,'Raymondsaidagain.Helookeddazed-stillonlyhalfbelieving.Sarah's heart beat faster, and she felt very happy but also a little shy.

Raymondcametowardsherandheldherhand.'It isyou,'Raymondsaid. 'It's reallyyou. I'vebeen thinkingaboutyouso

much.'Hepaused. 'Iloveyou,'hesaid, 'I'velovedyousinceIfirstsawyouonthetrain.Ididn'tmeantoignoreyouorberudetoyou.Itisn'tmyfault-it'smynerves.Whenmothertellsmetodothingsmynervesmakemedothem.Pleasedon'thateme.IknowIshouldbehavemorelikeaman.'

'Youwillnow,'Sarahsaid tohim.Hervoicewassweet-andsure. 'You'llhavethecouragenow,Iknowyouwill.'

'Courage,' said Raymond, standing up tall. 'Yes, that's what I need!'SuddenlyhekissedSarah'shand,andthenwalkedaway.

Sarah went to themarquee and found Dr Gerard,Miss Pierce and LadyWestholmeeatingatthetable.MahmoudexplainedthattheBoyntonshadbeentheretwodays.'TheyareAmericans,'Mahmoudsaid.'Themotherisveryheavyanditwasveryhardwork,veryhot,tocarryherhereinachair!'

'Ha!' said LadyWestholme. 'I think theseAmericanswere staying at ourhotel. I've seen the oldwoman before. I think I saw you talking to her at thehotel,MissKing.' Sarah's facewent red. She hopedLadyWestholme had notheardwhatshesaidtoMrsBoynton.

'They aren't very interesting people,' decided LadyWestholme, and thentalked about the famous and interesting Americans she had met. Miss Piercelistenedandmadenoisesnowandthentoshowthatsheagreed.

Becauseitbecameveryhotlaterintheday,thenextmorningSarahandtheothersgotup early.Theyhadbreakfast at sixo'clock,whereLadyWestholmecomplainedthattherewasn'tanyfruit.TherewasnosignoftheBoyntonfamily.

Just as they left the camp theyhearda shout, and turned to see JeffersonCopehurryingafterthem.'Iwassurprisedtoseeyouagain,DrGerard,'hesaid.'I'dliketocomewithyou,ifyoudon'tmind.'DrGerardintroducedSarahtoMrCopeastheyallbegantoclimbuphill.

AswellasMahmoud,theyhadtwolocalguideswiththem,whoknewthepath verywell. It was very steep and sometimes dangerous - a fall down thesteepsidescouldkillyou.SarahandDrGerarddidn'tmindbeingsohighup,butLadyWestholmeandMissPiercedidn'tlikeit.MissPierceshuthereyesandherfaceturnedgreenwhenshesawhowhighuptheywere.

DrGerardwasverykind,andhelpedherclimbupthesteepestplaces.Atlasttheyarrivedatthetop,andSarahbreathedinthefreshmorningair

inamazementatthesightoftheblood-redrocksallaroundandbelowthem.Thecountrylookedwildandstrange-itwasdifferenttoanythingtheyhadeverseenbefore.Thewholeworldseemedtobeattheirfeet.

'This is the "PlaceofSacrifice" - the "HighPlace",' explainedMahmoud.Heshowedthemtheholecutintheflatrockattheirfeet.'Thisiswhereanimalsweresacrificed-killedtopleasethegods.'

Sarah sat down on a rock, away from the others, to look at the amazingviews.Shewassolostinthoughtthatshedidn'thearDrGerardapproach.'Whatareyouthinkingabout?'heasked.

'I was thinking about the Place of Sacrifice,' Sarah replied. 'Sometimespeopleshouldbesacrificed-deathisn'talwaysasimportantaswethinkitis.'

'Ifthat'swhatyoureallythink,'saidDrGerard,'youshouldnotbeadoctor.Tous,deathisalwaystheenemy.'

'Yes,Isupposeyouareright,'sighedSarah.JustthenJeffersonCopejoinedthem.'Thisisaremarkableplace,'hesaid.

'I'mvery glad I came.Because of her bad healthMrsBoynton can't climbuphere.Andshedoesn'tletherfamilydoanythingwithouther.'MrCopestopped.Hisnicekind face lookeduncomfortable. 'Youknow,'hesaid, 'someone in thehoteltoldmeastoryaboutMrsBoyntonthatupsetme.'

'Indeed?'saidDrGerard.'Whatwasit?''I was told thatMrs Boynton had a youngwomanworking for her, as a

servant.Thewomanwasgoingtohaveababy.AtfirstMrsBoyntonwasverykindtoher,butjustbeforethebabywasbornshethrewtheyoungwomanoutofthehouse. I think that is avery cruel andheartless thing todo,' continuedMrCope,'andIdon'tunderstandwhyshedidit.'

'I'msureMrsBoyntonenjoyeditverymuch,'saidDrGerard.'Sheseemstolikebeingcrueltopeople.'

MrCopelookedshocked.'Ithink,DrGerard,'hesaid,walkingaway,'thatI'lllookattheviewfromoverthere.'DrGerardsmiledandlookedatSarah.Herfacewasveryserious,asifshehaddecidedsomething.

NowMiss Pierce came towards them. 'We're going down now,' she saidnervously.'Mahmoudsaysgoingdowniseasier,andwefollowadifferentpath.'Thepathdownwasindeedeasier,andtherewerenosteepplacestoworryabout.Theyarrivedbackatthecamptiredbuthappy,andreadyforlunch.Itwaspasttwoo'clock.

The Boynton family was in the marquee, finishing their lunch. LadyWestholme spoke to themkindly, but as if theywere rather stupid. 'Wehad averyinterestingmorning,'shesaid.'Petraisawonderfulplace.'

Carolanswered,'Oh,yes-yes,itis.'Thatwastheendoftheconversation.Astheyate,thefourdiscussedtheirplansfortheafternoon.'Iwillrest,said

MissPierce.'It'simportantnottodotoomuch.''I'llgoforawalkandexplore,'saidSarah.'Whataboutyou,DrGerard?''I'llgowithyou,'saidthedoctor.MrsBoyntonsuddenlydroppedaspoonloudly,andeveryonejumped.'I think,'saidLadyWestholme, 'thatI toowill rest thisafternoon.Perhaps

I'llgoforawalklateron.'

Slowly,withthehelpofLennox,MrsBoyntonstoodup.'Youcanallgoforawalkthisafternoon,'shesaidtoherfamily,smiling.Itwasalmostfunnytoseehowsurprisedtheyalllooked.'Butwhataboutyou,Mother?'askedCarol.

'Idon'tneedanyofyou,'saidMrsBoynton.'I'llsitaloneandread.Ginevra,youcanstay.Goandliedown-getsomesleep.'

'ButMother,I'mnottired,'saidGinevra.'Iwanttogowiththeothers.''Youaretired,'saidMrsBoynton. 'You'vegotaheadache!Goandsleep.I

knowwhat'sbestforyou.'Ginevrastaredathermotherforawhile,thendidasshewastold.Sheleft

themarquee,andtherestofthefamilyslowlyfollowedher.'Whatstrangepeople,'saidMissPierce. 'Themother'sfacelooksveryred.

Perhapsshehasabadheart.Theheatmustbeverybadforherhealth.''Why isMrsBoynton letting the family go for awalk?' thoughtSarah to

herself. 'She knows Raymond wants to be with me. Why? Is she planningsomething?' Since last night Sarah had realized that she loved RaymondBoynton,andwoulddoanythingtoprotecthimandmakehimhappy.

Afterlunch,Sarahwenttohertentandchangedherclothes.Shereturnedtothemarqueeataboutquarterpastthree.LadyWestholmewassittinginachair,readingadull,official-lookingreport.Despitetheheatshewasstillwearingherthickwoolskirt.DrGerardwastalkingtoMissPierce,whowasstandingbyhertentholdingabookcalledTheJourneyofLove- 'anexcitingstoryofromanceandpassion'.

'Iwill liedown later,' saidMissPierce. 'It'scoolandpleasanthere, in theshadowof themarquee.Ohdear,' shecontinued, 'doyou think thatold lady iswisetositinthesunupthere?It'sveryhot.'

They all looked at the ridge in front of them, where Mrs Boynton wassittinglikeastatueinfrontofhercave-justasshehaddonethenightbefore.Allthecampservantswereasleep,andtherewasnooneelseinsightexceptforasmallgroupofpeoplewalkingtogetherashortdistanceaway.

'I wonderwhyMrsBoynton has allowed her family to go off and enjoythemselves,'saidDrGerardtoSarah.'Issheplanningsomethingnew?'

'That'sjustwhatIthought!'saidSarah.'Doyouwanttowalkwiththem?''Yes,'saidDrGerard.'They'renotfarahead-we'llcatchthemup.'

For once, the Boyntons looked happy and relaxed. Soon Lennox andNadine,CarolandRaymond,MrCope,SarahandDrGerard,werealllaughingand talking together. Everyonewas enjoying their unexpected freedom. SarahwalkedwithCarolandLennox,DrGerardtalkedtoRaymond,andNadineandJeffersonCopewalkedalittleapart.

Soon,however,DrGerardstopped.'I'mverysorry,'hesaid,'butImustgobacktothecamp.Icanfeelanattackofmalariacomingon.IcaughtitinAfrica.'

'ShallIcomewithyou?'askedSarah.'No, no,' said Dr Gerard. 'I'll go back and take some medicine - some

quinine. Ihavesome inmymedicinebag.Please,enjoyyourwalk.'He turnedandquicklywalkedbacktowardsthecamp.Sarahwonderedwhetherornotsheshouldfollow,butthenshelookedatRaymondandforgotaboutthedoctor.

Afterstayingwiththeothersforawhile,SarahandRaymondwalkedawaytogether.Theysatdownonarockintheshade.Theytalkedtoeachotherabouttheirlives,andthensatholdinghandsinsilence.Thesunwasgettinglowerinthesky.

'I'mgoingbacknow,'saidRaymond,'bymyself.There'ssomethingIhavetosayanddo.ButImustdoit,anddoitalone.'

'Dowhat?'askedSarah.'I'vegottoprovemycourage,'saidRaymond.Helookedveryserious.'And

Imustdoitnow.'Hestoodupsuddenlyandquicklywalkedaway.Sarahwasalittleafraid-Raymondhadbeensoserious.

ThesunwassettingwhenSarahcamebacktothecamp.ShesawthatMrsBoyntonwasstillsittingoutsidehercave.Sarahhurriedpastonthepathbelowtothemarquee.Inside,LadyWestholmewastellingMissPierceheropinionsonchangingthedivorcelaws.TheBoyntonsweresittingandreading.Sarahwentbacktohertenttowashbeforedinner,andthenwenttovisitDrGerard.

She stopped outside the doctor's tent, and called his name quietly. Therewasnoanswer.Sarahlookedinsidethetent,andsawDrGerardlyingstillonhisbed.Shehopedhewasasleep,andwentawayquietly.

Inthemarquee,everyonewasthereexceptDrGerardandMrsBoynton.Aservantwassenttotelltheoldladythatdinnerwasready.Afterafewminutesthere was a sudden noise, and two servants ran up to Mahmoud, lookingfrightened.Therewas someexcitedspeech inArabic.Mahmoudwentoutside,

andSarahfollowedhim.'What'sthematter?'sheasked.'CanIhelp?''Theoldladyisveryill,'saidMahmoud.'Shecannotmove.''I'llcomeandsee,'saidSarah.ShefollowedMahmouduptheridgetothe

oldwoman's cave. Sarah touchedMrsBoynton's hand, and felt for her pulse.Therewasnosignoflife.

Sarah'sfacewaspaleasshewentintothemarquee. 'I'msorry,'shesaidtotheBoyntons,'butyourmotherisdead.'

Shewatchedthefacesofthefivepeoplewhowerenowfree...

PARTTWOCHAPTERONE

Hercule Poirot had arrived at the town of Amman andwas staying withColonelCarbury,whowasthemaninchargeofthearea.ColonelCarburyhadgentleblueeyesandabaldhead-andwasveryuntidy.

TheColonelsmiledacrossthetableathisguest.'I'llbeveryhappytoshowyouaround,'hesaidtoHerculePoirot.'Therearesomeveryinterestingthingstosee.'The twomenhadadrink,and thenafterapauseColonelCarburyasked,'Doesyourprofessionfollowyouaround,Poirot?Imean,doyouoftenfinddeadbodieswhenyouareonholiday?'

'Ithashappenedafewtimes,yes,'admittedPoirot.'There'sadeadbodyherethatI'mnothappyabout,'saidtheColonel.'It'san

oldAmericanwoman,whodiedatPetra.It'sverylikelythatshediedanaturaldeath - but I think her family killed her. No one liked her, but if she wasmurdereditwillbeverydifficulttoprove.Still,Iwanttoknowwhathappened.'HerculePoirotnodded.'Wasthereadoctorthere?'heasked.'Yes,thereweretwodoctors,' repliedColonelCarbury. 'Onewas illwithmalaria, and the other - ayoungwoman-isjustqualified.Buttheoldwoman'sdeathwasn'tunexpected.Herhealthwasbad,andshewastakingmedicineforherheart.'

'Sowhy,myfriend,areyouworried?'askedPoirotgently.'HaveyouheardofDrTheodoreGerard?'theColonelaskedhim.

'Yes,'repliedPoirot.'Heisveryfamous.''Well,he'sthedoctorwhowasillwithmalaria.I'llphonehimandaskhim

to come and tell you his story.' When Colonel Carbury had used the phone,Poirotsaid,'TellmeaboutthisAmericanfamily.'

'ThefamilynameisBoynton,'answeredtheColonel.'Therearetwosons-onemarried-andtwodaughters.'

'Boynton?'interruptedPoirot.'Thatisstrange-verystrange.''Themotherwasanunpleasantoldwoman,'continuedtheColonel.'Shehad

allthemoneyandmadeherfamilydoeverythingshewanted.''Aha!' said Poirot. 'That is interesting. Do you know who inherits her

money?''It's divided equally between all the family,' said Colonel Carbury. 'So

maybe just one of them killed her - ormaybe they all helped.Ormaybe I'mcompletelywrong!'

CHAPTERTWOWhen Dr Gerard arrived, Colonel Carbury introduced him to Hercule

Poirot.'TellMonsieurPoirotthefacts,'theColonelsaidtothedoctor.'He'sveryinterested.'

'Iamalwaysinterestedincrime,'admittedPoirot,asthethreemensatdownwithadrink.

'Well,' said Dr Gerard, 'I'll tell youmy story, and you can see what youthink.'HetoldPoiroteverythingthathadhappenedbeforeandafterhisarrivalatPetra, and then described his return to the camp on the afternoon of MrsBoynton'sdeath.'Iwasveryillwithmalaria,'DrGerardcontinued.'WhenIgottomytentIcouldn'tfindmymedicinebagforawhile-itwasn'twhereIleftit.WhenIdidfindit,IopenedthebagbutIcouldn'tfindmysyringe.Iwasgoingto injectmyselfwith quinine. I looked for the syringe for awhile, but finallydrankthequinineinsteadandlaydownonmybed.'

DrGerard paused. 'MrsBoynton had been sitting in the same place, andhadn'tmovedall afternoon,' he continued. 'Wedidn't knowshewasdeaduntilsix-thirty,whenoneoftheservantswenttotellherthatdinnerwasready.MissSarahKing,whoisaqualifieddoctor,lookedatthebodyanddecidedthatMrsBoyntonhadbeendeadforsometime.'

'HowlongexactlyhadMrsBoyntonbeendead?'askedPoirot.'MissKingdidn'tthinkthatwasimportant,'saidDrGerard.'Butwhenwasshelastseenalive?'saidPoirot.ColonelCarburyreadfromanofficial-lookingdocument.'LadyWestholme

and Miss Pierce spoke to Mrs Boynton shortly after four o'clock,' he said.'Lennox Boynton spoke to his mother about four-thirty, and his wife Nadinetalkedtoheraboutfiveminuteslater.CarolBoyntonalsospoketohermother,butdoesn'tknowwhen.Wethinkitwasabouttenminutespastfive.

'Jefferson Cope, an American friend of the family, returned to the campwithLadyWestholmeandMissPierce,andsawthatMrsBoyntonwasasleep.Hedidnotspeak toher.Thatwasabout twenty tosix. It seems thatRaymondBoynton, the younger son, was the last person to see his mother alive. Hereturnedfromawalkandspoketoheratabouttenminutestosix.'

'DidanyonegonearMrsBoyntonafterhersonRaymond?'askedPoirot.

'I don't think so. From six o'clock servants were busy and people weregoingtoandfromtheirtents.Noonesawanyoneapproachtheoldlady.'

'So Raymond Boynton was the last person to see his mother alive,' saidPoirot. Dr Gerard and Colonel Carbury looked at each other. 'But there's aproblem,'saidDrGerard. 'MissKingsaidthatMrsBoyntonhadbeendeadfor"sometime".ButwhenI toldher thatRaymondhadspokentohismother justbefore six, she said that was impossible -Mrs Boynton was already dead bythen.'

'Thatisverycurious,'saidPoirot.'WhatdoesRaymondBoyntonsayaboutthat?'

'Heswearsthathismotherwasalive,'saidColonelCarbury.'Raymondsaidsomething like,"I'mback- Ihopeyouhadaniceafternoon".Hesays thathismotheranswered,"Quiteallright"andhewentontohistent.'

'Curious,'saidPoirotagain,withafrown.'Andwhendidyouseethebody,DrGerard?'

'Notuntilnineo'clockthenextmorning,'repliedthedoctor.'BythenitwasimpossibletosayhowlongMrsBoyntonhadbeendead.AllIcansayisthatshehadbeendeadforatleasttwelvehours,butnotdeadmorethaneighteenhours.Andthatdoesn'thelp.'

'Goon,DrGerard,'saidColonelCarbury.'TellPoiroteverythingelse.''WhenIgotupinthemorning,'saidDrGerard,'Ifoundmysyringebehind

somebottlesonmytable.'Heleanedforward.'PerhapsIwastooilltoseeittheday before - Iwas shaking and had a fever.But I'm sure the syringewas notthere thedaybefore.And therewasamarkonMrsBoynton'swrist thatcouldhavebeenmadebyasyringe.CarolBoyntonsaysthemarkwasmadebyapin.'

'Ah!'saidPoirot.'Pleasecontinue.''Andfinally,'saidDrGerard,'whenIlookedinmymedicinebagIsawthat

someofmydrugdigitalinwasmissing-andinjectingsomeonewithalargedoseofdigitalincausesdeathbystoppingtheheart.'

'MrsBoyntonalreadyhadabadheart,Ibelieve,'saidPoirot.'Yes, she did,' replied Dr Gerard. 'In fact she was taking a medicine

containingdigitalin.Ifshetooktoomuchmedicineovertime,shemayhavediedofdigitalinpoisoning-butamedicalexaminationwouldnotshowit.'

Colonel Carbury looked at Poirot. 'So what's your expert opinion?' heasked.'Wasitmurderornot?'

'Wait,' saidPoirot. 'I too have some evidence.'He smiled at their look ofsurprise.'AtthewindowofmyhotelroominJerusalem,Iheardavoice,whichsaid, "Don't youagree that she'sgot tobekilled?"At the time Ididnot thinkthesewordswereaboutarealmurder-butnowIamnotsosure.'

Poirotpaused. 'And Ibelieve Iknowwhospoke thosewords,'he said. 'ItwasayoungmanIlatersawinthehotel-RaymondBoynton.'

CHAPTERTHREE'So Raymond Boynton said that!' exclaimed Colonel Carbury. 'He is

definitelythemostobvioussuspect.Itwillbedifficulttoproveanything,butifitismurder,wemustdosomething!'

'Whatdoyouthink,DrGerard?'askedPoirot.'MrsBoyntonwasanunpleasantwoman-andwithaweakheartshecould

havediedatanytime,'saidDrGerardslowly. 'Nowsheisdeadherfamilyarefree.'

'Soyouaresatisfied?'saidPoirot.'No!'saidDrGerard,hittingthetablewithhishand.'Iamnot"satisfied".I

amadoctor-Itrytosavelife,nottotakeit.Itisnotrightforahumanbeingtodiebeforehertimehascome.'

'DrGerarddoesn't likemurder,' saidColonelCarbury,pouring themmoredrinks.'AndneitherdoI.'

'Verywell,'saidPoirot.'IwillfindoutexactlywhokilledMrsBoynton-ifshewaskilled.Iwillfindoutthetruth.'

'Howwillyoudothat?'askedDrGerard.'Iwillcarefullyexaminetheevidence,andusemethodandreason.'replied

Poirot. 'First,IneedtodecidewhetherthismurderwasplannedandcarriedoutbyalltheBoyntonfamily,orjustoneofthem.'

'If it's just one of them,' saidDrGerard, 'it'smost likely to beRaymondBoynton.'

'Iagree,'saidPoirot.'ThewordsIoverheardandthefactthathisstorydoesnot fit with Miss King's story, make him the obvious suspect. Tell me, DrGerard,areRaymondBoyntonandMissKingattractedtoeachother?'

The Frenchman nodded. 'Definitely - they seem to like each other verymuch.'

'Aha! I believe I have seenMissKing - in theSolomonHotel.After shespoketoRaymondBoyntonhestoodstill-asif inadream-blockingtheexitfromthelift.ThreetimesIhadtosay"Pardon"beforeheheardmeandmoved.'

Poirot thoughtforamoment. 'SoMissKingis involvedwiththeBoynton

family, and could have wantedMrs Boynton to die.We must remember thatwhenweconsiderhermedicalevidence.'

Colonel Carbury coughed. 'Can I interrupt?' he asked. 'Those words youoverheard, "Don't you agree that she's got to be killed?"Who was RaymondBoytonspeakingto?'

'A good point,' said Poirot. 'I had not forgotten it. He must have beenspeaking to a member of his family. Dr Gerard, can you tell us about theBoyntonsfromaprofessionalpointofview-asadoctor?'

'RaymondandCarolBoyntonwereinaverynervousstate,'saidthedoctor.'LennoxBoyntonappearedtohavegivenuphope-hewaslifelessandquiet.IbelievethatNadine,hiswife,wasdecidingwhetherornottoleaveherhusband.'HedescribedhisconversationwithJeffersonCope.

'Andwhatabouttheyoungerdaughter,Ginevra?'askedPoirot.Dr Gerard looked serious. 'She may have a mental illness called

schizophrenia,'hesaid.'Sheistryingtoescapeherreallifebylivinginafantasyworld-shesayssheisindanger,withenemiesallaroundher.'

'Buttheyallknowwhodidit!'saidColonelCarburyunexpectedly.'They'reallhidingsomething!'

'Theywilltellmewhattheyknow,'saidPoirotconfidently.'Whentheytalk,peoplenormallytell thetruthbecauseit iseasier thantellingliesall thetime-andso,thetruthbecomesclear.Buttheremaybenoproof.'

'OnceIknowthetruth,saidtheColonel,'Icandecidewhattodonext.ButIcan'tgiveyoumuchtime.IcanonlykeepeveryonehereinAmmanforanothertwenty-fourhours.'

'Youwillhavethetruthbytomorrownight,'saidPoirotquietly.

CHAPTERFOURHerculePoirotwasinterviewingeveryoneinahotelroominAmman.Sarah

King was first. 'I don't understand why I'm talking to you,' she said. 'I knowyou'reanexpertoncrime,MonsieurPoirot,buttherewasnothingstrangeaboutMrsBoynton'sdeath.ThejourneytoPetrawastoomuchforawomanwithabadheart.Andifthere'sanydoubtyoucanhaveanofficialmedicalexaminationinJerusalem.'

'ButthereissomethingthatDrGerardhasnottoldyou,'explainedPoirot.'Asupplyofdigitalinismissingfromhismedicinebag.'

'Oh!'saidSarah,thinkingforamoment.'IsDrGerardsure?Hewasillwithmalariaatthetime.'

'HelookedinhisbagonthenighthearrivedinPetra.Heisalmostcertainthatthedigitalinwastherethen.'

'Almost-?'saidSarah.Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.'Yes,thereisadoubt-asanyhonestperson

wouldfeel.'Sarahnodded.'Yes,'sheagreed.'Peoplewhoalwaysfeelsureaboutthings

can't always be trusted.ButMonsieur Poirot, there is very little evidence.Doyoureallyneedtobeinvolved?Haven'ttheBoyntonssufferedenough?'

'So you think that the very unpleasant Mrs Boynton is better dead thanalive?'askedPoirot.'Buttomeitdoesnotmatterwhatthevictimislike-goodorbad.Idonotapproveofmurder.'

'Murder?'Sarahbreathedinquickly.'Whydoyouthinkthat?''There isotherevidence,mademoiselle,' repliedPoirot. 'There is themark

ofasyringeonthedeadwoman'swrist.AndImyselfheardRaymondBoyntonsay "Don't you agree that she's got to be killed?" So that is why I aminvestigatingMrsBoynton'sdeath.Willyouhelpme?'

Sarah's facehad turnedpale,butafterapause shenodded. 'Yes,' she saidquietly.'Ithinkwhatyou'redoingisright.'

'Thankyou,mademoiselle,' repliedPoirot. 'Now, please tellmewhat yourememberaboutthatday.'

Sarahthoughtforamoment. 'InthemorningwewentoutwithMahmoud.NoneoftheBoyntonswerewithus.Isawthematlunch-theywerefinishingaswecamein.MrsBoyntonseemedstrangelycheerful,andsheletherfamilygoforawalk-itwasveryunusual.'

'Whydoyouthinkshedidthat?'askedPoirot.'Iwaspuzzled.'admittedSarah.'Ithoughtshemustbeplanningsomething.

ThentheBoyntonsleft-allexceptGinevra,whowenttoliedowninhertent.DrGerardandIjoinedtheothersontheirwalk,atabouthalf-pastthree.'

'WherewasMrsBoyntonthen?'askedPoirot.'Shewassittinginherchairoutsidehercave,'saidSarah.'DrGerardandI

walkedwiththeothersforawhile,andthenDrGerardbecameillandwentbacktothecampataboutfour.Therestofuswentonwalking.'

'Wereyoualltogether?'Poirotasked.'Wewereatfirst,'saidSarah,'then'NadineBoyntonandMrCopewentone

wayandCarol,Lennox,RaymondandIwentanother.LaterRaymondandIsatdownaloneonarocktogether,andwhenRaymondleft Istayedto lookat theview.Atabouthalf-pastfiveIthoughtIshouldgobacktothecamp,andarrivedatsix-itwasjustaboutsunset.'

'DidyouseeMrsBoyntonasyoucamebacktothecamp?''Yes,' replied Sarah. 'She was still sitting outside her cave. I went to the

marquee-everyonewasthereexceptDrGerard.Iwashedinmytentandthencamebacktothemarquee.OneoftheservantswenttotellMrsBoyntonaboutdinner,andcame runningback to sayshewas ill. Ihurriedout tohelp,butassoonasItouchedherIknewshewasdead.Becauseshehadaheartproblem,Ithoughtshecouldhavediedinhersleep.'

'DidyouhaveanopiniononhowlongMrsBoyntonhadbeendead?''Notreally,'saidSarah,'thoughshehadclearlybeendeadforoveranhour-

perhapslonger.''Over an hour?' said Poirot. 'Do you know, Mademoiselle King, that

RaymondBoyntonspoketohismotherabouthalfanhourearlier,andsaysthatshewasthenaliveandwell?'

Sarahdidn't look atPoirot, but she shookherhead. 'Raymondmusthavemadeamistake.Itmusthavebeenearlierthanthat.'

'No,mademoiselle,itwasnot.'PoirotnoticedthatSarah'smouthwasveryfirmanddetermined.

'Well,'saidSarah,'I'myoungandIhaven'tseenmanydeadbodies,butI'msurethatMrsBoyntonhadbeendeadatleastanhour-ifnotmore!'

'Socanyouexplain,'saidHerculePoirot,'whyRaymondBoyntonsaidthathismotherwasalivewhenshewasdead?'

'I'venoidea,'saidSarah. 'All theBoyntonsarerathervagueabout times-they'reaverynervousfamily.'

'And did you ever speak to Mrs Boynton?' Poirot inquired: Sarah's facereddened. 'Yes,Idid-onthedayMrsBoyntonleftJerusalem,'sheadmitted. 'Imademyselflookverysilly.'SarahunwillinglytoldPoirotwhathadhappened.He seemed interested and asked lots of questions. 'It is important for me tounderstandMrs Boynton, and know how hermindworked,' explained Poirot.'Youropinionofherisvaluable.Thankyouforyourhelp,mademoiselle-Iwillnowspeaktotheotherwitnesses.'

Sarahstoodup.'Excuseme,MonsieurPoirot,butwhydon'tyouwaituntilaftertheofficialmedicalexamination?ThenyouwillknowifMrsBoyntonwasmurderedornot.'

Poirotwavedhishandimportantly. 'This is themethodofHerculePoirot,'heannounced.Sarahfrowned,andlefttheroom.

CHAPTERFIVELadyWestholme entered next, looking confident and important. Shewas

followed by Miss Amabel Pierce, who sat down slightly behind LadyWestholme,inthebackground.

'Iamhappytohelpyou,MonsieurPoirot,'saidLadyWestholmeloudly.'Itismypublicduty.'ShetalkedaboutherpublicdutyforsometimebeforePoirotmanagedtoaskherexactlywhathappenedthatafternoon.

'AfterlunchIdecidedtorest,'saidLadyWestholme.'Themorninghadbeenquitetiring.MissPierceagreedwithme.'

'Oh, yes,' sighedMiss Pierce. 'I was very tired after themorning. It wassuchadangerousandexhaustingclimb.'

'Soafterlunchyoubothwenttoyourtents?'Poirotasked.'Yes,'repliedLadyWestholme.'WasMrsBoyntonthensittingatthemouthofhercave?''Yes,shewas,'saidLadyWestholme.'CouldyoubothseeMrsBoynton?''Oh,yes,'saidMissPierce.'Shewasopposite,youknow-alittlewayalong

andupabove.'LadyWestholmeexplained. 'Thecaveswereuponahigherridgeofrock.

Belowtheridgeweresometents.Thentherewasasmallriver-onlyastream,really - and across that stream was the marquee and some other tents. MissPierce and I had tents near the marquee - she was on the right side of themarqueeandIwasontheleft.Theopeningofourtentsfacedtheridge,butofcourseitwassomedistanceaway.'

'Nearlytwohundredyards.Ibelieve,'saidPoirot.'Ihaveaplanofthecamphere.ItsaysthatLennoxBoyntonandhiswifeNadinewerestayinginthecavenext to Mrs Boynton's. Below but more to the right - almost opposite themarquee-werethetentsofRaymond,CarolandGinevraBoynton.OntherightofGinevraBoynton'stentwasDrGerard's,andnexttohistentwasthatofMissKing.Ontheothersideofthestream-nexttothemarqueeontheleft-isyourtent,LadyWestholme, and the tentofMrCope.MissPierce's tentwason the

rightofthemarquee.Isthatcorrect?'LadyWestholmeagreedthatitwas.'Thankyou.Thatisperfectlyclear.Pleasecontinue,LadyWestholme.''AtaboutquartertofourIwenttoMissPierce'stenttoseeifshewantedto

goforawalk,'saidLadyWestholme.'MissPiercewassittingintheentranceofhertent,reading.Weagreedtostartinabouthalfanhourwhenthesunwaslesshot.Iwentbacktomytentandreadforabouttwenty-fiveminutes.ThenIjoinedMissPierceandwewentforawalk.Everyoneinthecampseemedasleep-therewasnooneabout.WhenIsawMrsBoyntonsittinguptherealone,IsuggestedtoMissPiercethatweshouldaskherifshewantedanythingbeforeweleft.'

'Yes,youdid.Itwasverythoughtfulofyou,'agreedMissPierce. 'Butshewassorudeaboutit!'

'Aswewalkedundertheridge,'explainedLadyWestholme, 'Iaskedifwecoulddoanythingforher.Doyouknow,MonsieurPoirot,theonlyanswershegave us was a grunt! A grunt! She just looked at us as thoughwewere - asthoughwewerenothing!'

'Itwas really very rude!' saidMiss Pierce, turning red. 'I think youwererighttosaywhatyoudid.'

'I said to Miss Pierce that perhaps Mrs Boynton was drunk!' said LadyWestholme.'Herbehaviourwasverystrange.'

'HadMrsBoynton'sbehaviourbeenstrangeearlierthatday-atlunchtime,perhaps?'askedPoirot.

'N-No,' saidLadyWestholme, thinking. 'No,herbehaviour thenhadbeenfairlynormal.'

'Shewasveryangrywiththatservant,'saidMissPierce,'justbeforeweleftthecamp.'

'Oh!Yes, I remember, she did seem very annoyedwith him!Of course,'continuedLadyWestholme,'itisdifficultwhenservantsdon'tspeakEnglish,butwhenyouaretravellingyoumustbepatientwithforeigners.'

'Whatservantwasthis?'askedPoirot.'OneoftheBedouinservantsinthecamp,'saidLadyWestholme.'Hewent

uptoMrsBoyntonandshewasveryangry-Idon'tknowwhy.Thepoormanwentawayasfastashecould,andsheshookherstickathimandcalledout.'

'Whatdidshesay?''Wewere too far away to hear.At least I didn't hear anything - did you,

MissPierce?''No,Ididn't.IthinkMrsBoyntonhadaskedhimtogetsomethingfromher

daughter Ginevra's tent - or perhaps she was angry because he went into herdaughter'stent-Idon'tknowexactly.'

'Whatdidhelooklike?'PoirotaskedMissPierce.Sheshookherhead.'Really,Idon'tknow-hewastoofaraway.''Hewas aman ofmore than average height,' said LadyWestholme, 'and

wore theusualBedouincheffiyahroundhishead.Hisbreecheswerevery tornand had been much repaired - shocking! - and his puttees were very untidy.Thesemenneedtobemanagedbetter!'

'Couldyoutellmewhichservantitwas?''Idon'tthinkso,'saidLadyWestholme.'Wedidn'tseehisface-itwastoo

faraway.''Iwonder,' saidPoirot thoughtfully, 'whathedid tomakeMrsBoyntonso

angry?Wewillhavetofindout.Pleasecontinue,LadyWestholme.''We walked along slowly,' said Lady Westholme. 'And then we met Dr

Gerard.Helookedveryill.''Hewasshaking,'addedMissPierce.'Shakingallover.''I sawatonce thathehadmalaria,' saidLadyWestholme. 'Ioffered togo

backtothecampwithhimandgethimsomequinine,buthesaidhehadsomewithhim.'

'Poorman,'saidMissPierce.'Itseemswrongforadoctortobeill.''Wewalkedon,' continuedLadyWestholme. 'And thenwe satdownona

rock,with averygoodviewof all the scenery - thoughwecould still see thecamp.'

'Soromantic,'murmuredMissPierce.'Acampinthemiddleoftherose-redrocks.'

'Didyouseeanyoneelse?'Poirotinquired.'Yes,' said LadyWestholme. 'LennoxBoynton and hiswife passed us on

theirwaybacktothecamp.'

'Weretheytogether?''No,LennoxBoyntoncamefirst.Helookedasifhehadtoomuchsun-he

waswalkingasthoughhewasdizzy.''WhatdidLennoxBoyntondowhenhereturnedtothecamp?'askedPoirot.ThistimeMissPiercemanagedtospeakfirst. 'Hewenttoseehismother,

buthestayedonlyaminuteortwo,'shesaid.'Thenhewent intohiscaveandafter thathewentdown to themarquee,'

saidLadyWestholme.'WhatdidhiswifeNadinedo?'askedPoirot.'Shepassedusafewminuteslater,'saidLadyWestholme.'Shestoppedand

spoketous-quitepolitely.''Ithinkshe'sverynice,'saidMissPierce.'Veryniceindeed.''DidyouwatchNadineBoyntonreturntothecamp?''Yes.Shewentupand spoke toMrsBoynton for about tenminutes,' said

LadyWestholme.After thatshewentdowntothemarqueewhereherhusbandwas.'

Whathappenednext?'inquiredPoirot.'ThatstrangeAmerican,MrCope,camealong,'saidLadyWestholme. 'He

toldusthereweresomeinterestingruinsnearby,andtookustoseethem.Thenwewalkedbacktothecampatabouttwentyminutestosix.'

'WasMrsBoyntonstillsittingwhereyouhadlefther?'askedPoirot.'Yes,'LadyWestholmereplied,'butIdidn'tspeaktoher.Iwenttomytent,

changedmyshoesandgotoutmyownpacketofChinatea.I thenwenttothemarqueeandtoldMahmoudtomakesometea-andtomakesurethewaterwasboiledproperly!'

'Wasthereanyoneinthemarquee?'Poirotasked.'Oh,yes.LennoxandNadineBoyntonweresittingatoneendreading,and

CarolBoyntonwastheretoo.''AndMrCope?''He had some teawith us,' saidMiss Pierce, 'though he said tea-drinking

wasn'tanAmericanhabit.'

Andthenwhathappened?'saidPoirot.'Raymond and Ginevra Boynton came in shortly afterwards,' said Lady

Westholme.'MissKingarrivedlast.Whendinnerwasready,oneoftheservantswas sent to tellMrsBoynton.Themancame runningbackwithhis colleagueand spoke toMahmoud,whowent outwithMissKing.When she camebackMissKingtoldMrsBoynton'sfamilythatshewasdead.'

AndwhatdidMrsBoynton'sfamilydowhentheyheardthenews?'askedPoirot.

ForthefirsttimeLadyWestholmeandMissPiercedidn'tknowwhattosay.'Well,' saidLadyWestholmeuncertainly, 'they- theywereveryquiet.TheyallwentoutwithMissKing.MissPierceandIverysensiblystayedwherewewere.'MissPiercelookedregretful-shehadobviouslywantedtogoandseewhatwashappening!

'Later,'finishedLadyWestholme,'wehaddinnerbeforetheBoyntonfamilysotheycouldeatalone.AfterdinnerI,Miss

PierceandMissKingwentbacktoourtents,whileMrCope-asafriendofthefamily-stayedwiththeBoyntons.That'sallIknow,MonsieurPoirot.'

'WhenMissKingtoldthemofthedeathoftheirmother,didalltheBoyntonfamilyleavethemarquee?'PoirotaskedLadyWestholme.

'Yes - no. I think that the youngest girl, Ginevra, stayed behind.Do youremember,MissPierce?'

'Yes,Ithink-Iamquitesureshedid.''WhatdidGinevraBoyntondo?'askedPoirot.'Didshesayanything?''No,'LadyWestholmefrowned.'She-er-shejustsatthere.''She twisted her fingers together,' said Miss Pierce suddenly. 'She didn't

showanythingonherface,butherhandsweretwistingandturning.''Isthereanythingelse,MonsieurPoirot?'askedLadyWestholme.Poirothadbeenthinking.'No,nothing,'hesaid.'Youhavebeenveryclear-

andcertain.''Ihaveanexcellentmemory,'saidLadyWestholmewithsatisfaction.'One last thing, LadyWestholme,' said Poirot. 'Please do not look round.

CanyoudescribewhatMissPierceiswearingtoday?'

LadyWestholmelookedannoyed,butsaid,'MissPierceiswearingastripedbrownandwhitecottondress,andabeltof red,blueandbeige leather.She iswearingbeigesilkstockingsandbrownleathershoes.Thereisaholeinherleftstocking.Sheiswearingabrightbluenecklaceandasilverbutterflyringonthethirdfingerofherrighthand.'LadyWestholmepaused.'Isthereanythingelse?'sheaskedcoldly.

'Excellent, madame!' said Poirot, 'You see everything!' Lady Westholmestoodupandlefttheroom.MissPierce,lookingdownsadlyatherleftstocking,startedtofollow.

'Onemoment,please,mademoiselle,'saidPoirot.'Yes?'MissPiercelookedupnervously.Poirotleanedforward.'Doyouseethesewildflowersonthetable?''Yes,'saidMissPierce-staring.'AndyounoticedthatwhenyoufirstcameintotheroomIsneezedonceor

twice?''Yes?''DidyounoticeifIhadjustbeensmellingtheseflowers?''Well-really-Idon'tknow.''ButyourememberthatIsneezed?''Ohyes,Irememberthat!''Ah,well,itisofnoimportance.Ijustwonderediftheseflowersgaveme

hayfever.''Hay fever?' saidMiss Pierce. 'I remember a cousin of mine had it very

badly.'With some difficulty Poirot finally got rid ofMiss Pierce. 'But I did not

sneeze,'hesaidquietly,whenhehadshutthedoor.'No,Ididnotsneeze.'

CHAPTERSIXLennoxBoyntoncameintotheroomwithaquick,confidentstep.Instead

oflookingexhausted,henowlookedlivelyandwideawake-andnervous.'Goodmorning,MonsieurBoynton.'Poirotstooduppolitely.'Thankyoufor

talkingtome.''Whyareyouaskingeveryonequestions?'Lennoxsaidcrossly.'That'swhat

Iwanttoknow.''Ifyoudonotwanttoanswer-'Poirotsaid.Lennox Boynton said quickly, 'No, not at all. Only - it seems - all so

unnecessary.''Iunderstand,'repliedPoirot,'butitisjustamatterofroutine.Now,onthe

afternoonofyourmother'sdeath,IbelieveyouleftthecampatPetraandwentforawalk?'

'Yes.Weallwent-exceptmotherandGinevra.''Wasyourmotherthensittingoutsidehercave?''Yes,shesatthereeveryafternoon,'saidLennox.'Whendidyouleavethecamp?'askedPoirot.'Soonafterthree,Ibelieve.''Andwhendidyoureturnfromyourwalk?''Idon'tknowwhattimeitwas,'saidLennox.'Fourorfiveo'clock,perhaps.

AboutanhourortwoafterIleft.''Didyoupassanyoneonyourwayback?Twoladiessittingonarock,for

instance?''Idon'tknow.Yes,IthinkIdid.''Didyouspeaktoyourmotherwhenyougotbacktothecamp?''Yes-yes,Idid.''Shedidnotcomplainoffeelingill?''No-no,sheseemedperfectlyallright.''MayIaskwhatyoubothsaid?'

Lennoxpaused. 'She said Iwasback soon. I said,yes, Iwas.'Hepausedagain, thinkinghard. 'I said itwashot.She - sheaskedme the time - saidherwatchhadstopped.Itookitfromher,wounditup.setthetime,andputitbackonherwrist.'Poirotinterrupted.'Andwhattimewasit?'

'It-itwastwenty-fiveminutestofive.''So you do know exactly the time you returned to the camp,' said Poirot

gently.Lennox reddened. 'Yes, how stupid of me! I'm sorry,Monsieur Poirot, I

can'tthinkproperly.Allthisworry-''Oh!Iunderstand,'saidPoirotquickly.Andwhathappenednext?''Iaskedmymotherifshewantedanything,'continuedLennox.'Shesaidno.

Then Iwent to themarquee.Noneof the servants seemed tobe there. Idranksomewaterandsattherereadingtheoldnewspapers-andIthinkIfellasleep.ThenNadinecamein.'

Andyoudidnotseeyourmotheraliveagain?'askedPoirot.'No.''Didsheseemannoyedorupsetwhenyoutalkedtoher?''No,shewasexactlyasusual.''She did not speak about any trouble with one of the servants?' Lennox

stared.'No,nothingatall.'Andthatisallyoucantellme?''Iamafraidso-yes.''Thankyou,MonsieurBoynton-thatisall.'Lennoxdidn'tseemtowanttogo.'Er-there'snothingelse?''Nothing,'repliedPoirot.'Pleasecouldyouaskyourwifetocomeinnext?'As Lennoxwent out slowly, Poirot wrote on the paper beside him, L.B.

4.35p.m.

CHAPTERSEVENPoirotlookedwithinterestatthetall,calmyoungwomanwhoenteredthe

roomandsatdown.'Ihopeyoudonotmind,madame,talkingtomeatthissadtime?'

NadineBoyntonlookedathimthoughtfully.Afterapauseshesaid, 'Iwillbe honest with you, Monsieur Poirot. I did not love my mother-in-law, MrsBoynton,andIamnotsorrythatsheisdead.'

'Thankyou,madame,forspeakingsoopenly.''ButIdoblamemyself,'continuedNadine.'Iwasthecauseofmymother-

in-law's death.You could even say that I killedher.' Poirot leanedback in hischair.'Willyouexplainthatmoreclearly,madame?'

Nadine bent her head. 'Mymarried life,' she said, 'has not been happy. Ithought that Mrs Boynton had too much power over my husband. On theafternoonofMrsBoynton'sdeathIdecidedtoleaveLennox,andgoawaywithmyfriend,MrCope.Iwalkedhometothecampbymyselfandsawmymother-inlawsittingalone,soItoldherwhatIwasgoingtodo.'

'Wasshesurprised?'inquiredPoirot.'Yes,shewasveryshocked,'saidNadine,'andshewasangry-veryangry.

After awhile I refused to talk to her anymore, andwalked away.'Her voicebecamequieter.'I-Ineversawheraliveagain.'

Poirotnoddedhisheadslowly. 'Isee,'hesaid. 'SoyouthinkMrsBoyntondiedbecauseoftheshock?'

'Itseemscertaintome,'repliedNadine.'ItwasadifficultjourneytoPetra,andmynews-andheranger-killedher.'

'AndwhatexactlydidyoudowhenyouleftMrsBoynton?'Poirotasked.'I went down to the marquee. My husband Lennox was there.' Poirot

watchedhercloselyasheasked,'Didyoutellyourhusbandthatyouhaddecidedtoleavehim?Orhadyoualreadytoldhim?'

TherewasaveryshortpausebeforeNadinesaid, 'Itoldhimthen.Hewasvery upset, but he - he didn't say very much. You see, we both knew thatsomethinglikethismighthappen.'

Afteralongpause,Poirotasked,'Doyouownasyringe,madame?''Yes - Imean, no,' saidNadine uneasily. 'I do have an old syringe inmy

luggage,but I left itbehind inJerusalem.Whydidyouaskme that,MonsieurPoirot?'

Instead of answering, Poirot asked another question. 'Mrs Boynton wastakingmedicinecontainingdigitalin,forherhearttrouble?'

'Yes,'saidNadine.Shewasansweringhisquestionsverycarefullynow.'SoifMrsBoyntonhadtakenabigoverdoseofdigitalinNadineinterrupted

himquickly and definitely. 'She did not. Shewas always very careful, and sowasI.'

'Thechemistwhopreparedthemedicinemayhavemadeamistake.Wecananalysewhatisleftinthebottle.'

'Unfortunatelythebottlewasbroken,'saidNadine.'Indeed.Whobrokeit?'askedPoirot.'Idon'tknow-oneoftheservants,Ithink.WhenMrsBoynton'sbodywas

carriedintohercave,therewasagooddealofconfusionandthelightwaspoor-the table fell over.' Poirot looked at her. 'That,' he said, 'is very interesting.'Nadine Boynton moved in her chair. 'Do you thinkMrs Boynton died of anoverdoseofdigitalin?'sheasked.'Itdoesn'tseemverylikely.'

Poirot leaned forward. 'Even when I tell you that some digitalin wasmissingfromDrGerard'smedicinebag?'

Nadine's facegrewpaleandshe satvery still. 'MonsieurPoirot, Ididnotkillmymother-in-law -manypeople can tell you that shewas alive andwellwhen I lefther.Soplease, I amaskingyou to stopyour investigation - ifyoucontinueyouwilldestroypeople'speaceandhappiness.Can'tyousaythatMrsBoyntondiedanaturaldeath?'

Poirot sat up straight and his eyes looked very green. 'Let me be clear,madame.YouthinkthatMrsBoyntonwasmurdered,andyetyouareaskingmetosaynothing!'

Nadinesaidpassionately,'Youdon'tunderstand-shewasevil!''Idonotcarewhatshewaslike!'exclaimedPoirot.'Noonehastherightto

takethelifeofanotherperson-Iwillnotacceptmurder!ThatisthefinalwordofHerculePoirot.'

Nadine stood up, her dark eyes flashingwith sudden fire. 'Then youwillruinthelivesofinnocentpeople!Ihavenothingmoretosay.'

'But, youdo,madame.Whathappenedafteryou leftMrsBoynton,whileyouandyourhusbandwereinthemarqueetogether?'

Shelookedstraightintohiseyes.'Iknownothing,MonsieurPoirot.'Nadineturnedandlefttheroom.

CHAPTEREIGHTAfterwritingN.B.4.40onhispaper,PoirotlookeduptoseeCarolBoynton

entertheroom.Asshesatdown,PoirotlookedwithinterestatCarol'sred-brownhairandnervoushands.Herfacehadnocolourorexpression.

'Now,mademoiselle,'Poirotsaid,'willyoupleasetellmewhatyoudidthatafternoon?'

Carol'sanswercamequickly,asifshehadpractiseditbefore. 'Afterlunchweallwentforawalk.Ireturnedtothecamp-'Poirotinterrupted.'Wereyoualltogetheruntilthen?'

'No,IwaswithmybrotherRaymondandMissKingformostofthetime.ThenIwalkedoffonmyown.'

'Andwhattimedidyoureturntothecamp?''Ibelieveitwasjustabouttenminutespastfive.'PoirotwrotedownC.B.5.10.'Andwhatthen?''Mymotherwasstillsittinginfrontofhercave,'saidCarol.'Iwentupand

spoketoher,andthenwentontomytent.''Canyourememberexactlywhatyoubothsaid?''IjustsaiditwasveryhotandthatIwasgoingtoliedown.Mymothersaid

shewouldstaywhereshewas.''Was there anything about her that seemed unusual or different?' asked

Poirot.'No.Atleast-'Carolpaused.'Shewasastrangecolour-herfacewasredder

thanusual.''She may have had a shock, perhaps?' suggested Poirot. 'Did she say

anythingabouttroublewithoneoftheservants?''No-no,nothingatall.'Poirotcontinued,'Andwhatdidyoudonext,mademoiselle?''Iwenttomytentandlaydownforabouthalfanhour.ThenIwentdownto

themarquee.LennoxandNadineweretherereading.Ilookedatamagazine.''Didyouspeak toyourmotheragainonyourway to themarquee?'asked

Poirot.'No. Iwentstraightdown- Ididn'teven lookather.ThenIstayed in the

marqueeuntil-untilMissKingtoldusshewasdead.That'sallIknow.'Poirot leaned forward. 'And what did you feel, mademoiselle, when you

foundthatyourmother-pardon,yourstepmother-wasdead?'Carolsaiduncertainly,'Itwas-agreatshock.''Wasit?'Carol'sfacewentred.ShestaredatPoirothelplessly,withfearinhereyes.'Wasitsuchagreatshock,mademoiselle?Doyourememberaconversation

you had with your brother Raymond one night in Jerusalem?' His guess wasright - he knew from theway her facewentwhite. 'How do you know aboutthat?'shewhispered.

'Partofyourconversationwasoverheard.''Oh!' Carol hid her face in her hands and started to cry. Hercule Poirot

waited a minute, then he said quietly, 'You were both planning to kill yourstepmother.'

Carolsobbedoutbrokenly,'Weweremad-mad-thatevening!'Shesatupand pushed her hair from her face. 'You don't understand what it was like!Travelling made it so obvious how different we were to other people. AndGinevra-motherwasmakingherworse!RayandIwereafraidthatGinevrawasgoingmad!ThateveninginJerusalem,RayandIwereoverexcited.Wethoughtthatkillingmotherwastherightthingtodo!Butwedidn'treallydoit.Thenextday it seemed stupid - and wrong! Mother died naturally of heart failure.MonsieurPoirot-RayandIhadnothingtodowithit.'

'Willyousweartome,mademoiselle,'saidPoirotquietly,'thatMrsBoyntondidnotdieastheresultofanyactionofyours?'

Carolliftedherhead.'Iswear,'shesaidsteadily,'thatIneverharmedher.'Poirot leaned back in his chair, and thoughtfully stroked his moustache.

'What exactly was your plan?' he asked. In his mind he counted the secondsbeforeCarolanswered-one,two,three.

'Wedidn'thaveaplan,'saidCarolatlast.'Wenevergotthatfar.'Poirot stood up. 'That is all, mademoiselle.Will you tell your brother to

comeinnext?'Carolwent slowly to thedoor. 'MonsieurPoirot,youdobelieveme?' she

saidpassionately.'I'vetoldyouthetruth-Ihave!'HerculePoirotdidnotanswer,andCarolBoyntonwentslowlyoutof the

room.

CHAPTERNINEPoirot noted the family similarity between Carol and her brother when

Raymond Boynton came into the room. Raymond's face was serious, but hedidn'tseemnervousorafraid.

'Your sister Carol has spoken with you?' Poirot asked gently. Raymondnodded.'Yes.IfyouoverheardourconversationinJerusalemIdon'tblameyouforbeing suspicious. I canonly say that the conversationwas -wasmadness!Planning to killmy stepmother - oh, how can I explain? - wewere under somuchstressthatjusttalkingaboutitmadeusfeelbetter!'

HerculePoirotnoddedhisheadslowly.'That,'hesaid,'ispossible.''In the morning it all seemed - rather stupid! I swear to you, Monsieur

Poirot, that I never thought about it again. The facts are that I spoke to mymotherjustbeforesixo'clock,whenshewasaliveandwell.Iwenttomytent,hadawashandjoinedtheothers in themarquee.Fromthat timeneitherCarolnorImoved-everyonecouldseeus.Somymother'sdeathwasnatural-heartfailure-itcouldn'tbeanythingelse!'

'ButMissKing,'saidPoirotquietly,'saidthatwhensheexaminedthebody-atsix-thirty-yourmotherhadbeendeadforatleastanhour,ifnotlonger.'

Raymondstaredathim,totallyshocked.'Sarahsaidthat?'hegasped.'But-it'simpossible!Shemustbemistaken!MymotherwasalivejustbeforesixandIspoke to her.' He leaned forward. 'Monsieur Poirot, people die every day -especially people with weak hearts - and there is nothing strange about it.Mother'sdeathonlyseemssuspiciousbecauseyouoverheardwhatIsaid.'Poirotshookhishead.'Youarewrong,'hesaid.'Thereisotherevidence-poisontakenfromthemedicinebagofDrGerard.'

'Poison?' Ray stared at him. 'Poison?' He looked completely shocked. 'Isthatwhatyoususpect?'

Poirotsaidquietly,'Soyourplanwasdifferent?''Oh,yes.'Raymondansweredwithoutthinking.'Thischangeseverything...

I-Ican'tthinkclearly.''Whatwasyourplan?''Ourplan?Itwas-'Raymondstoppedsuddenly,andhiseyesbecamewary.

'Idon'tthink,'hesaid,'thatI'llsayanymore.''Asyouplease,'saidPoirot.Ashewatchedtheyoungmanleavetheroom,

onhispaperhewroteR.B.5.50.Thenhewrotealist.BoyntonsandJeffersonCopeleavethecampabout3.05DrGerardandSarahKingleavethecampabout3.15LadyWestholmeandMissPierceleavethecamp4.15DrGerardreturnstothecampabout4.20LennoxBoyntonreturnstothecamp4.35NadineBoyntonreturnstothecampandtalkstoMrsBoynton4.40NadineBoynton leavesMrsBoynton andgoes to themarquee about

4.50CarolBoyntonreturnstothecamp5.10LadyWestholme,MissPierceandJeffersonCopereturntothecamp5.40RaymondBoyntonreturnstothecamp5.50SarahKingreturnstothecamp6.00MrsBoynton'sbodyisdiscovered6.30

CHAPTERTENNextHerculePoirot spoke to theguide,Mahmoud,whoseEnglishwasn't

very good - but who liked to talk. It was a while before Poirot could ask aquestion.

'No, I do not think any servants were about at half-past five,' saidMahmoud.'Lunchislate-twoo'clock-andthenallafternoonsleep.Weallgoto sleep by half-past three. At five I get up but no one is there - they all gowalking.Forme,thatisgood-Icangobacktosleep.Atquartertosixtroublebegin-largeEnglishlady-veryimportantlady-comesbackandwantstea.Shealwayscomplains-sayswatermustbeboiling.Ihavetodoitmyself.Ah,whatalife-whatalife!IdoallIcan-alwaysIamblamed!'

'Ihaveanotherquestion,'saidPoirot.'Thedeadladywasangrywithoneoftheservants.Doyouknowwhichservantitwasandwhatitwasabout?'

'Idonotknow,'Mahmoudreplied,'Oldladydidnotcomplaintome.''Couldyoufindout?''No,thatwouldbeimpossible.Noneoftheservantswouldadmitit.If the

old lady was angry then naturally they would not tell. Abdul say it wasMohammed,andMohammedsayitwasAzizandAzizsayitwasAissa,andsoon.'

Poirot finally managed to escape from Mahmoud, and went to talk toColonel Carbury in his office. 'Detecting crime is sometimes very easy,' saidPoirot.'AllIhavetodoisletthecriminaltalk-andhewilltellmeeverything.'Briefly,

PoirottoldtheColonelabouttheinterviewshehadhadthatmorning.'RaymondBoynton isdefinitely themost likelyperson,' said theColonel.

'Inadetectivestoryhewouldcertainlybeinnocent!''Doyoureaddetectivestories?'Poirotasked.'Thousandsofthem,'saidColonelCarbury.Headded,hopefully, 'Canyou

writealistofsignificantfacts,liketheydoindetectivestories?Youknow,factsthatdon'tseemtomeananythingbutarereallyveryimportant?'

'Ah,'saidPoirotkindly.'Iwilldothatforyouwithpleasure.'Onapieceofpaperhewrote:

Significantfacts1.MrsBoyntonwastakingamedicinecontainingdigitalin.2.DrGerard'ssyringewasmissing.3.MrsBoyntondefinitelyenjoyedstoppingherfamilyhavingagoodtime

withotherpeople.4.MrsBoynton,ontheafternoonofherdeath,encouragedherfamilytogo

awayandenjoythemselves.5.MrsBoyntonenjoyedbeingcrueltopeople.6. The distance from the marquee to the place whereMrs Boynton was

sittingisabouttwohundredyards.7.LennoxBoyntonsaidatfirsthedidnotknowwhat timehereturnedto

thecamp,butlaterheadmittedsettinghismother'swatchtotherighttime.8.DrGerardandGinevraBoyntonwerestayingintentsnextdoortoeach

other.9.Athalf-past six,whendinnerwas ready,aservantwassent to tellMrs

Boynton.'Excellent!' saidColonelCarbury, smilingwidely. 'I don't understand it at

all.Andyoumention theservantsa few times - Ihopeoneof themdidn'tkillMrsBoynton.Thatwouldn'tbefair!'

Poirotsmiled,butdidnotanswer.Asheleft theofficehesaidtohimself,'Incredible!TheEnglishnevergrowup!'

CHAPTERELEVENSarahKingwassittingonahill,pickingwildflowers,andDrGerardsaton

aroughwallofstonesnearher.Sarahlookedup.'Thatlittleman'scomingupthehill,'shesaid'Isupposehe'slookingforus.'Poirotreachedthematlast,wipinghishotforehead,beforelookingsadlyathisexpensiveleathershoes.

'Thisstonycountry!'hesaid.'Mypoorshoes!''Whydoyouwearshoeslikethatinthedesert?'askedSarah.'Iliketobewell-dressed,'Poirotanswered.'Womendonot look theirbest in thedesert,' saidDrGerard thoughtfully.

'Miss King always looks well-dressed, but LadyWestholmewears such thickcoats,skirtsandboots-andthoseterribleridingbreeches!AndpoorMissPierce-herclothesaresopaleanddull,andshewearstoomuchjewellery.'

'Idon't thinkMonsieurPoirotclimbeduphere to talkaboutclothes!' saidSarah.

'True,' said Poirot. 'I came to ask you both aboutMrsBoynton. I have afeelingthatthewayhermindworkedisveryimportantinthiscase.'

'Frommypointofviewshewascertainlyveryinteresting,'saidDrGerard.HedescribedhisowninterestintheBoyntonfamily,andhisconversationwithJeffersonCope.'HehadnoideaaboutthehateandunhappinessintheBoyntonfamily,'explainedthedoctor,'ButIthinkthatonthejourneytoPetra,MrCopewasbeginningtorealizewhatMrsBoyntonwasreallylike.'HetoldthemwhatMrCopehadsaidaboutMrsBoynton'sbehaviourtotheservantandherbaby.

'That story about the servant is interesting,' said Poirot thoughtfully. 'ItshowshowcruelMrsBoyntoncouldbe.ButIdonotunderstand-whydidMrsBoyntonarrange this tripabroad,whensheknewitwouldbemoredifficult tocontrolherfamily?'

DrGerard leaned forward excitedly. 'Shewas bored!' he exclaimed. 'Sheneededanewchallenge!MrsBoyntonwantedherfamilytorebel,soshecoulduseherpowertocontrolthemonceagain.'

Poirottookadeepbreath.'Yes,Iseeexactlywhatyoumean.MrsBoyntonchosetolivedangerously-andnowsheisdead!'

Justthentheysawagirlwanderingalongthesideofthehill.Herred-gold

hairshoneinthesunlight,andastrangesecretsmilewasonherlovelymouth.

'Howbeautifulsheis,'saidDrGerard.'Shehasafacetodreamof,asIoncedid.WhenIwasillwithmalariaIopenedmyeyesandsawherface-withitssweet strange smile. Iwas sorry towakeup frommydream.'Thenhe added,'ThatisGinevraBoynton.'

CHAPTERTWELVEA few minutes later Ginevra Boynton reached them, and Dr Gerard

introducedhertoHerculePoirot. 'Itriedtoseeyouinthehotel,mademoiselle,'saidPoirot. 'Will you talk tomenow?'Theywalkedaway fromSarahandDrGerard.

'You are - you are a detective, aren't you?' asked Ginevra. 'A very well-knowndetective?'

'Thebestdetectiveintheworld,'saidPoirot,sayingitasasimpletruth.'Haveyoucomeheretoprotectme?'Ginevraaskedquietly.Poirot stroked his moustache thoughtfully. 'Are you in danger,

mademoiselle'?''Yes,yes-they'retryingtokillme!'Ginevralookedaroundquickly.'Itold

DrGerardaboutitinJerusalem.Hewasveryclever.Hedidn'tsayanythingbuthefollowedmetoPetra.Heiskindandgood-he'sinlovewithme!'Ginevra'svoice became soft and beautiful. 'He saysmy name in his sleep. I saw him -lying there illonhisbed- sayingmyname. Iwentawayquietly.'Shepaused.'Did Dr Gerard ask you to protect me? There are enemies all around me -sometimestheyareindisguise.'

'Yes,yes,'saidPoirotgently.'Butyouaresafehere-withyourfamily.''Theyarenotmyfamily!'Ginevrasaidproudly.'Ican'ttellyouwhoIreally

am-it'sasecret.''Wasyourmother'sdeathagreatshocktoyou,mademoiselle?'Poirotasked

gently.Ginevrastampedherfootangrily.'Shewasn'tmymother!Myenemiespaid

hertopretendshewas!''Wherewereyouontheafternoonofherdeath?''Iwasinmytent ... Itwashot in there,butIdidn'tcomeout incase they

killedme...'Sheshiveredwithfear.'Oneofthem-lookedintomytent.HewasindisguisebutIknewhim.Ipretendedtobeasleep.TheArabprincesenthimtokidnapme.'

'Theyareveryromantic,thesestoriesthatyouinvent,'Poirotsaid.

Ginevrastoppedandlookedathimangrily. 'They'retrue!They'realltrue.'Againshestampedherfoot,beforeturningandrunningdownthehillside.Poirotstoodlookingafterher,andinafewminutesheheardavoiceclosebehindhim.

'Whatdidyousaytoher?'askedDrGerard,alittleoutofbreath,asSarahjoinedthem.

Poirot answered the doctor's question. 'AndGinevrawas angry?' saidDrGerard. 'That's good! She still knows that what she says isn't true.When shecomestomyclinicinParis-itisallarranged-Iwillmakeherbetter.Ginevraenjoysactinganddrama,andbeingthecentreofattention-likehermother!'HehurrieddownthehillafterGinevra.

'Ginevraisnothinglikethathorribleoldwoman,'saidSarahwithafrown,'althoughinJerusalemIoncefeltsorryforMrsBoyntonmyself.Isuddenlysawherdifferently-notevil,butpathetic.'Sarah'sfacewentredassherememberedthatmeeting. 'I felt sostupid,' sheadmitted, 'and I feltevenmorestupidwhenLady Westholme said she'd seen me talking to Mrs Boynton. She probablyoverheardme.'

'What exactly did Mrs Boynton say to you?' Poirot asked. 'Can youremembertheexactwords?'

'I remember,' repliedSarah, 'because she said it so poisonously- not evenlookingatme.Shesaid,"Ineverforget.Rememberthat.Ineverforgetanything-anaction,anameoraface..."

Then she suddenly asked, 'MonsieurPoirot, haveyou foundout anythingdefiniteaboutMrsBoynton'sdeath?'

'IhavefoundoutthatRaymondBoyntonspoketohissisterCarolwhenhetalkedaboutkillinghismother.Hetoldmethattheywerebothoverexcited-andforgotaboutitthenextday.'Thenheaddedgently,'MissSarah,whatareyousoafraidof?'Sarah's facewaswhite. 'Thatafternoon,whenhe leftme,Raymondsaid he wanted to do something nowwhile he had the courage. I thought hemeantjustto-totellher.Butwhatifhemeant...'

CHAPTERTHREETEENNadineBoyntonwaswalkingwithJeffersonCopealongthestonyhillside.

Herfacewaspale.'Jefferson,'shesaid.'I'vegottotalktoyou.''Ofcourse,Nadine-butdon'tbeupset,'saidMrCope.'Youmustdojustas

youwant.''YouknowwhatI'mgoingtosay,don'tyou?'shesaidwithemotion.'You're

sogoodandkind,Jefferson,andI'vetreatedyousobadly.''Nadine,youknowIloveyou,butallIwantisforyoutobehappy.When

youdecidedtoleaveyourhusbandyouwerehonestwithme-youdidn'tsayyouwereinlovewithme.ButIwashappy-allIwantedwastolookafteryou.'

'I'msorry,'saidNadine,'I'msosorry,Jefferson.''ButIsomehowthoughtyou'dchangeyourmind.Andthingsaredifferent

now-youandLennoxcanhavealifeofyourown.''Yes-Ican'tleaveLennoxnow,'saidNadinequietly.'Pleaseforgiveme.''There'snothingtoforgive,'saidMrCope.'We'llforgetaboutthatafternoon

andwilljustbefriends.'Nadine placed a gentle hand on his arm. 'Dear Jefferson, thank you. I'm

goingtofindLennoxnow.'Sheturnedandlefthim.MrCopewentonalone.Lennoxwas so deep in thought that he didn't noticeNadine until she sat

downbeside himon the hillside. 'Wehaven't been able to talk until now,' shesaid.'ButLennox,I'mnotgoingtoleaveyounow.'

'Wereyoureallygoingtoleaveme,Nadine?'Lennoxsaidseriously.Shenodded. 'Yes. I thought itwas theonly thingIcoulddo. Ihopedyou

wouldbejealousandfollowme.''I was so shocked when you said you were going away with Jefferson

Cope!' saidLennox. 'Whydidn't I leavewithyouwhenyouasked?WhenyoutoldmeIrealizedthattherewasonlyonethingtodoifIdidn'twanttoloseyou.Iwentand-'

'Don't!'saidNadine.Lennoxgaveheraquicklook.'Iwentand-arguedwithmother.Itoldher

thatIchoseyou.'Hepaused.'Yes,that'swhatIsaidtoher.'

CHAPTERFOURTEENPoirotmettwopeopleonhiswaybacktothehotel.ThefirstwasJefferson

Cope,whointroducedhimself,andastheywalkedtogetherMrCopeexplained,'Ihearyou're investigatingMrsBoynton'sdeath.The journey toPetrawas toomuchforher,butshewouldn'tlisten.Asafriendofthefamily,I'dbehappytotakecareofanything-suchasmovingMrsBoynton'sbodytoJerusalem.JustletmeknowifIcanhelp.'

'Iamsure thefamilywill thankyouforyouroffer,'saidPoirot.Headdedcarefully,'IbelieveyouareaspecialfriendofNadineBoynton.'

JeffersonCope'sfacewentalittlepink.'Nadinetoldmeshe'dspokentoyouthismorning.Butthat'sallovernow-Nadineisstayingwithherhusband.'

Therewasapause,beforePoirotasked, 'MonsieurCope,canyouhelpmebytellingmeabouttheafternoonofMrsBoynton'sdeath?'

'Of course,' saidMrCope. 'After lunchandabrief restweallwent for awalk. That was when I talked to Nadine. Afterwards she wanted to talk toLennox, so Iwent off onmyown andwalked back towards the camp.Abouthalf-waythereImetthetwoEnglishladies-LadyWestholmeandMissPierce.We looked at some ruins, andwhenwe got back to the camp - at about five-forty- Ihad teawith them.Theservantspreparedsupperandwent to tellMrsBoynton-andfoundherdeadinherchair.'

'DidyounoticeMrsBoyntonasyouwalkedhome?'inquiredPoirot.'Inoticedshewasthere,that'sall.''Thankyou,MonsieurCope.MayIalsoaskifMrsBoyntonhasleftalarge

amountofmoney?''Verylarge-thoughitwasherhusband'smoney,andisdividedbetweenall

hischildren,'explainedMrCope.'Theywillallhavealotofmoneynow.''Money,' saidPoirot, 'makesadifference.Thankyou,MonsieurCope, for

yourhelp.'WhileMrCopewalkedonuphill,Poirotwalkeddownuntil hemetMiss

Pierce.Shegreetedhimbreathlessly. 'Oh,MonsieurPoirot,I'msogladtomeetyou.I'vebeen talking to thatverypeculiargirl,GinevraBoynton.She toldmethatthereareenemiesallaroundher-andthatanArabprincewantstokidnap

her.Itsoundssoromanticandexciting!''Lifecanindeedbeverystrange,'saidPoirot.'I didn't realize who youwere thismorning,' continuedMiss Pierce with

excitement. 'I'veheardallaboutyou!IknowImusttellyoueverything-everysmalldetail!Anditwasratherstrange.'

'Please,'saidPoirot,'Iwouldliketohearallaboutit.''Well,it'snotmuch.ButIgotupearlyonthedayafterMrsBoynton'sdeath,

and I sawCarol Boynton come out of her tent and throw something into thestream. I didn't really think about it at the time, but later I walked along thestream andmetMissKing.Then I saw a smallmetal box, and thought "Thatmust bewhatCarolBoynton threw away". So I picked it up and therewas asyringe inside.ThenMissKing said, "Oh, thank you - that'smy syringe" andtookitbacktothecampwithher.'MissPiercepausedandthenwentonquickly,'Of course, I'm sure it's not important - but it did seem strange.' She lookedhopefullyatPoirot.

Hisfacewasserious. 'Thankyou,mademoiselle,'hesaid. 'Whatyouhavesaid gives me the last piece of information I needed to solve this case!Everythingisnowclearandinorder.'

'Oh,really?'MissPiercelookedaspleasedasachild.Back in his hotel room Hercule Poirot added one line to his list of

significantfacts:10.'Ineverforget.Rememberthat.Ineverforgetanything.''Maisoui'Poirotsaid.'Yes,nowitisallclear!'

CHAPTERFIFTEENHercule Poirot and Colonel Carbury were standing in one of the empty

hotelbedrooms,wherePoirothadarrangedthefurniture.'Itistimetobegin,'hesaid,lookingathiswatch.'You,Colonel,mustsitbehindthistableinanofficialposition.Here,'hepointedtosomechairs,'willsittheBoyntonfamily,andoverherewill sit the three other peoplewho are personally involved in the case -Miss King, Dr Gerard and Monsieur Cope.' He stopped as he heard peoplearriving.'Aha-heretheycome.'

When everyone had sat down, Colonel Carbury began to speak in anofficial voice. 'When Mrs Boynton's death was reported to me, it seemed aperfectlynaturaldeath.However,theevidenceofDrGerard-amissingsyringe,missingpoisonandamarkonthedeadwoman'swrist-mademesuspicious,soIaskedMonsieurHerculePoirottoinvestigate.Hewillnowgiveushisreport.'

The Boynton family all looked frightened. There was silence - completesilence. When someone dropped a shoe in the room next door it soundedincrediblyloud.

Poirot stepped forward. 'Before I beganmy investigation,' he said, 'I toldColonel Carbury that I would find the truth - even if I couldn't prove it - bytalking toeveryone involved.Youhaveall talked tome,and thoughyouhavelied,youhavealso-withoutknowingit-ledmetothetruth.

'First,IconsideredwhetherMrsBoyntondiedanaturaldeath-anddecidedthat shedidnot.Themissingdigitalin and syringe - and theBoynton family'sbehaviour - convinced me that she had been murdered. Not only was MrsBoyntonmurdered,buteverymemberofherfamilyknewit!Theyallactedasiftheywereguilty,andtheyallgained-bothmoneyandfreedom-onceshewasdead.

'ButdidtheBoyntonsworktogetherasafamilytokillMrsBoynton?WhenI looked at the evidence I decided that they did not. Their stories did not fittogether,andnoonehadaproperalibi. It seemedmore likely that twopeoplewereworkingtogether-andImyselfhadevidencetoadd.'HerehetoldthestoryoftheconversationhehadoverheardinJerusalem.

'Of course,' Poirot continued, 'thismeant thatRaymondBoyntonwas theobvious suspect. I guessed - correctly - that he had been talking to his sisterCarol.Theywanted to killMrsBoynton to free thewhole family, particularly

theiryoungersister,Ginevra.'Poirotpaused,whileRaymondBoyntonlookedathimwithpaininhiseyes.

'BeforeIdiscussthecaseagainstRaymondBoynton,Iwouldliketoreadtoyoualistofsignificantfacts,whichIwroteforColonelCarbury.'

Significantfacts1.MrsBoyntonwastakingamedicinecontainingdigitalin.2.DrGerard'ssyringewasmissing.3.MrsBoyntondefinitelyenjoyedstoppingherfamilyhavingagoodtime

withotherpeople.4.MrsBoynton,ontheafternoonofherdeath,encouragedherfamilytogo

awayandenjoythemselves.5.MrsBoyntonenjoyedbeingcrueltopeople.6. The distance from the marquee to the place whereMrs Boynton was

sittingisabouttwohundredyards.7.LennoxBoyntonsaidatfirsthedidnotknowwhat timehereturnedto

thecamp,butlaterheadmittedsettinghismother'swatchtotherighttime.8.DrGerardandGinevraBoyntonwerestayingintentsnextdoortoeach

other.9.Athalf-past six,whendinnerwas ready,aservantwassent to tellMrs

Boynton.10. Mrs Boynton, in Jerusalem, used these words, 'I never forget.

Rememberthat.Ineverforgetanything.''Ithoughtthatthefirsttwofactswereincrediblystrange-becausetheydo

not fit together. Do you see what I mean? If not, it does not matter - I willexplainlater.

'SoisRaymondBoyntonguiltyornot?Thesearethefacts.HehadtalkedaboutkillingMrsBoynton.Hewasinaverynervousandexcitedstate,ashehad-mademoiselle, please forgiveme' - he nodded toSarah - 'just fallen in love.ThismayhavegivenRaymondBoyntonthecouragetorebelagainsthismotheratlast-orevenkillher!

'RaymondBoyntonleftthecampwiththeothersataboutfiveminutespastthree.MrsBoyntonwas thenaliveandwell.RaymondandSarahKing stayed

togetheruntilhe lefther, returning to thecampat tenminutes tosix.Hewentandtalkedtohismother,thenwenttohistentandafterwardstothemarquee.HesaysthatattenminutestosixMrsBoyntonwasalive.

'But Miss King - who is a doctor - says that when she examined MrsBoynton's body at half-past six, she had been dead for at least an hour - andprobablymore.SoeitherMissKingorRaymondBoyntonislying!

'AssumingthatMissKingwasnotmistakenandisnotlying,letusexaminewhathappened.RaymondBoynton returns to thecamp,goesup tohismotherand finds she is dead. Instead of calling for help, hewaits for a fewminutes,goes first to his tent, then joins his family in themarquee - and says nothing.Whywouldhebehavelikethat?'

'Iwouldn't,'saidRaymondinasharp,nervousvoice. 'Thatprovesthatmymotherwasaliveandwell.'

Poirot ignored Raymond's interruption. 'If his mother was already deadwhenhereturnedtocamp,RaymondBoyntoncannotbeguilty.Butifheisnotguilty,canweexplainhisbehaviour?

'Ibelievethatwecan-rememberRaymond'swordstohissisterCarol.Hereturnsfromhiswalkandfindshismotherdead.Heimmediatelysuspects thatCarolhaskilledMrsBoynton.'

'It'salie,'saidRaymondinalow,shakingvoice.'So is there any evidence that Carol Boynton is the murderer?' Poirot

continued. 'Carol has talked to her brotherRaymond about killing hermother.Shereturnedtothecampattenminutespastfive,whenshesaysshewentupandspoke to her mother. There were no witnesses. The camp was empty - theservants were asleep, and LadyWestholme, Miss Pierce and Monsieur Copewere exploring ruins. The time would fit. It is perfectly possible that CarolBoynton killed her mother.' He paused. Carol had raised her head, and shelookedathimsadly.

'There isoneotherpoint,' saidPoirot. 'Thefollowingmorning,veryearly,CarolBoyntonthrewsomethingintothestream-asyringe.'

DrGerardlookedup,surprised.'Butmysyringewasreturned,'hesaid.Poirot nodded. 'Yes, but this is a second, different syringe. It belongs to

MissKing,doesitnot?

Carolspokequickly,beforeSarahhadtimetoanswer.'Itwasn'tMissKing'ssyringe,'shesaid.'Itwasmine,andIthrewitaway.'

'Carol!' exclaimed Nadine, her eyes wide and upset. 'Carol - Oh, I don'tunderstand!'

Carol turned and looked at her, slightly angrily. 'I threw away an oldsyringe,that'sall.Inevertouchedthe-thepoison.'

'Itwasmysyringe,MonsieurPoirot,'addedSarah.Poirot smiled. 'It is very confusing, this affair of the syringe - but I can

explainit.Ah,well,wehavenowdiscussedtheinnocenceofRaymondBoynton,andtheguiltofhissisterCarol.ButIamalwaysfair,sonowwewillseeifCarolBoyntoncouldbeinnocent.

'Carolreturnstothecamp,goesuptohermother,andfindsthatsheisdead!AtonceshesuspectsthatherbrotherRaymondhaskilledher.Shedoesn'tknowwhattodo-soshesaysnothing.AnhourlaterRaymondBoyntonreturns,findshis mother dead but does not say anything either. Perhaps Carol goes toRaymond'stentandfindsasyringe.CarolisnowsureherbrotherhaskilledMrsBoynton!Shetakesthesyringeandhidesit,andearlythenextmorningthrowsitintothestream.

'ThereisonepointtoshowthatCarolBoyntonisinnocent.WhenIquestionherIaskhertoswearthatMrsBoyntondidnotdiebecauseofher-andCarolswearsimmediately.Butshesays,"Ineverharmedher"andthinksthatIwillnotnotice.

'That is the case for the innocence ofCarolBoynton.And now let us gobackastepandconsidernottheinnocencebutthepossibleguiltofRaymond.IfCarolisspeakingthetruth,andMrsBoyntonwasaliveatfive-ten,canRaymondbeguilty?Hecouldhavekilledhismotherattenminutestosixwhenhewentuptospeaktoher.Therewereservantsaround,butitwasgettingdark.Butifthisisso,thenMissKingmusthavelied.Remember,shecamebacktothecamponlyfiveminutesafterRaymond.Fromthedistanceshecouldseehimgouptohismother.WhenMrsBoyntonisfounddead,MissKingrealizesthatRaymondhaskilledher,andsheliestosavehim-knowingthatDrGerardisillandcannotsayanythingdifferent!'

'Ididnotlie!'saidSarahclearly.'There is yet another possibility', said Poirot. 'Miss King returned to the

camp a few minutes after Raymond. Perhaps she injectedMrs Boynton withpoison.ShebelievedthatMrsBoyntondeservedtodie.Thiswouldexplainwhysheliedaboutthetimeofdeath.'

Sarahhadbecomeverypale,buthervoicewassteady.'It'struethatIoncespoke about death and sacrifice,' she said, 'but I swear that I didn't kill MrsBoynton.'

'Andyet,' saidPoirot softly, 'oneofyou two is lying.'RaymondBoyntonmovedinhischair. 'Youwin,MonsieurPoirot!'hesaidexcitedly. 'Iwas lying.MotherwasdeadwhenIwentuptoher.IwasallreadytotellherIwasleaving,andthereshewas-dead!Herhandwascold.Andlikeyousaid,IthoughtmaybeCarolhaddoneit-therewasthemarkonherwrist-'

'ThereisonethingIwouldliketoknow,'saidPoirotquickly.'Howdidyouplan tokill yourmother? I know it involved a syringe, but if youwantme tobelieveyou,youmusttellmeeverything.'

'Iwasgoingtouseanemptysyringeinavein.'Raymondsaid.'Ireadaboutitinabook-adetectivestory.'

'Ah,'saidPoirot.'Iunderstand.Didyoubuyasyringe?''No,'saidRaymond,'ItookNadine's.'PoirotlookedatNadineBoynton.'Isthatthesyringethatisinyourluggage

inJerusalem?'heasked.Nadine'sfacereddenedslightly.'I-Iwasn'tsurewhereitwas,'shereplied.

'Youthinkveryquickly,madame,'saidPoirot.CHAPTERSIXTEEN

After a pause, Poirot continued. 'Wehave now solved themystery of thesecondsyringe.ItbelongedtoNadineBoynton,wastakenbyRaymondBoyntonbefore leaving Jerusalem, and was taken from Raymond by Carol after thediscoveryofMrsBoynton'sdeadbody.AfterCarol threw the syringe away, itwasfoundbyMissPierceandMissKingsaiditwashers.IbelieveMissKinghasitnow.'

'Ihave,'saidSarah.'Soyouliedwhenyousaiditwasyours.'Sarah said calmly, 'That's a different kind of lie. It isn't - it isn't a

professionallie.'

Poirotclearedhisthroat.'Letusnowreviewourtime-table.BoyntonsandJeffersonCopeleavethecampabout3.05DrGerardandSarahKingleavethecampabout3.15LadyWestholmeandMissPierceleavethecamp4.15DrGerardreturnstothecampabout4.20LennoxBoyntonreturnstothecamp4.35NadineBoyntonreturnstothecampandtalkstoMrsBoynton4.40NadineBoyntonleavesMrsBoyntonandgoestothemarqueeabout4.50CarolBoyntonreturnstothecamp5.10LadyWestholme,MissPierceandJeffersonCopereturntothecamp5.40RaymondBoyntonreturnstothecamp5.50SarahKingreturnstothecamp6.00MrsBoynton'sbodyisdiscovered6.30'Asyoucansee,thereisaspaceoftwentyminutesbetweenfour-fiftywhen

Nadine left Mrs Boynton and five-ten when Carol returned. So if Carol isspeakingthetruth,MrsBoyntonmusthavebeenkilledinthattwentyminutes.

'Nowwho could have killed her? At that timeMiss King and RaymondBoyntonwere together.MrCopewaswithLadyWestholme andMiss Pierce.LennoxBoyntonwaswithhiswifeinthemarquee,andDrGerardwaslyingillinhis tent.Thecampisemptyandtheservantsareasleep.Couldanyonehavecommittedthecrimeatthismoment?'

HelookedthoughtfullyatGinevraBoynton. 'Thereisoneperson.GinevraBoyntonsaidthatshewasinhertentallafternoon,butthatisnottrue.ShealsosaidthatDrGerardspokehernamewhenhewasill,whileDrGerardsaidthathedreamedofGinevraBoynton's face.But itwasnotadream!He really sawher, standing there by his bed. So Ginevra was in Dr Gerard's tent.Was shereturningDrGerard'ssyringeafterkillinghermother?'

GinevraBoyntonraisedherheadwith its red-goldhair,herbeautifuleyesstaringatPoirot.

'That'simpossible!'saidNadineexcitedly.Poirotleanedforward.'Youareveryintelligent,madame'hesaidtoNadine.

'Whatdoyoumeanbythat,MonsieurPoirot?'askedNadinequietly.'I mean that the whole time you have judged the situation calmly. You

realized that you and your husbandLennox had to leaveMrsBoynton if youweregoingtoenjoyahappylife.ButyoucouldnotpersuadeLennoxtogo.Yourhusbandwastooexhaustedtodoanything.

'So, because you love Lennox, you told him you were leaving withJeffersonCope tomake him jealous - tomake him do something. But if thatfailed, the only other thing that might save Lennox was if his mother died,leavinghimwithmoney-andfreedom!'

NadinestaredatPoirot.'Ididn'tkillMrsBoynton,'shesaidgently.'AfterIhad told her that I was leaving, I went straight to the marquee and joinedLennox.IdidnotleaveitagainuntilMrsBoyntonwasfounddead,andhadnoopportunitytokillher.'

'Youdidnot leavethemarqueeagainuntilMrsBoyntonwasfounddead,'repeatedPoirot.'ThatisoneofthepointsIfoundstrange-itisnumbernineonmylist-"Athalf-pastsix,whendinnerwasready,aservantwassenttotellMrsBoynton".'

'Idon'tunderstand,'saidRaymond.Poirot looked at the Boyntons. '"A servant was sent",' he said. 'Why a

servant?YoudideverythingforMrsBoynton-helpedherwalk,getupfromherchair-oneofyouwasalwayswithher!SoIaskedmyself-whydidnoonegotohelpher?AndItellyoumyanswer-becauseyouknewthatshewasdead!'

'No, no, do not interruptme,madame,' he said toNadine as she tried tospeak.'Youwillnowlistentome-HerculePoirot!YouhavedecidedtokillMrsBoynton, so you take Dr Gerard's digitalin in the morning, and his syringe -sinceyourshaddisappeared.Youhopedtoputbackthesyringebeforethedoctornoticeditwasmissing.

'You return to the camp, talking politely to Lady Westholme and MissPierceasyoupass.YougouptoMrsBoyntonwiththesyringefullofdigitalin,ready.Youholdherwristandquicklyinjectthepoison-itiseasyforsomeonewhotrainedasanurse.

FromfardownbelowLadyWestholmeandMissPierceseeyoutalkingtoMrsBoyntonforabouttenminutes,buttheycannothear-theyaretoofaraway.You are talking to a dead woman. Then you go to the marquee, join your

husband,andarecarefulnottoleave.MrsBoynton'sdeathwillbeblamedonherhearttrouble.ButDrGerardisillinhistent,soyoucannotreturnthesyringe-that,madame,wastheonlythingwrongwithyourperfectcrime.'

There was silence, until Lennox Boynton jumped to his feet. 'NoV heshouted.'That'salie.Nadinedidnothing.Shecouldn'thavedoneanything.Mymother-mymotherwasalreadydead.'

'Ah?'Poirotlookedathimgently.'Soyoukilledher,MrBoynton.'Lennoxsatdown inhischairand raisedshakinghands tohis face. 'Yes -

that'sright-Ikilledher.ItookthepoisonfromDrGerard'stent.''When?'askedPoirot.'As-as-yousaid-inthemorning.'Andthesyringe?''Thesyringe?Yes.''Whydidyoukillher?''You-youknowwhy!Mywifewasleavingme-withCope-''Yes,butyouonlyheardaboutthatintheafternoon.'Lennoxstaredathim.'Ofcourse.Whenwewereout-''Butyoutookthepoisonandthesyringeinthemorning-beforeyouknew?'

askedPoirot.'Whatdoesitmatter?'saidLennox,paleandshaking.'Itmattersagreatdeal,'saidPoirot.'Iadviseyoutotellmethetruth.'Allright,Iwill,'saidLennoxsuddenly. 'ButIdon'tknowifyou'llbelieve

me.'Hebreathed indeeply. 'Thatafternoon, Iwas - Iwasnearlymad! IneverthoughtNadinewouldleaveme.IfeltasthoughIwasdrunkorill.'

Poirotnodded.'LadyWestholmetoldmeyouwerewalkingasifyouweredizzy,' he said. 'That is why I knew your wife Nadine had told you she wasleavingbefore-notafter-youreturnedtothecamp.'

'IhardlyknewwhatIwasdoing,'continuedLennox.'ThenIrealizeditwasallmyfaultandIshouldhaveescapedfrommotheryearsago.IdecidedtogoandtellherjustwhatIthought-andthatIwasleavingwithNadinethatnight.'

'Oh,Lennox-mydear-'sighedNadine.

'And then,' said Lennox, 'shewas just sitting there - dead! I didn't knowwhat to do - Iwas shocked - and confused.Without thinking I picked up herwatchandputitonherwrist.ThenIwentdowntothemarquee.Ishouldhavecalledsomeone,butIjustsatthere,staringatanewspaper.Idon'tknowwhyIdidn'ttellanyone.'

DrGerardclearedhisthroat.'Youwereinabadnervousstate,MrBoynton,'hesaid.'Youweretooshockedtodoanything-itisaknownmedicalcondition.'

'Oh,Iamsureit is,'repliedPoirot. 'ButNadineBoyntonsawherhusbandputbackhismother'swatch-shereturnedtothecamponlyfiveminuteslater.WhenshefoundMrsBoyntondead,withthemarkofasyringeonherwrist,shethought thatLennoxBoyntonhadkilledhismotherandputback thewatch tohidethemark-becauseshesaidshewasleavinghim.'HeturnedtoNadine.'AmIright,madame?'

Nadine nodded her head. Then she asked, 'Did you really suspect me,MonsieurPoirot?'

'Ithoughtyouwereapossibility,madame.'Andnow,'saidNadine,'telluswhatreallyhappened.'

CHAPTERSEVENTEENPoirot now seemed friendly and relaxed as he sat down. 'In a fewdays -

after the medical examination - we will know if Mrs Boynton died of anoverdoseofdigitalinornot.Butitisbettertoknowthetruthtonight,beforethemurderercanescape!

'Sonowwereturntomylistoffacts-andwhythefirsttwopointsdonotfittogether. Mrs Boynton was taking a medicine containing digitalin and DrGerard's syringe was missing. It is a clever idea to kill Mrs Boynton withdigitalin, as shewas already taking the drug in hermedicine.Butwhywouldsomeoneinherfamilyinjectthepoisonwithasyringe?Itwouldbemucheasierto add the poison to Mrs Boynton's medicine! Sooner or later Mrs Boyntonwouldtakehermedicineanddie,andevenifthedigitalinwasdiscoveredinthebottleitcouldhavebeenanaccident-oramistakebythechemistwhopreparedit.Nothingcouldbeproved!

'SowhywasDrGerard's syringe taken? If themurderercouldnotpoisonthemedicine,hewasanoutsider-andnotamemberoftheBoyntonfamily.Thispuzzledme,becauseall theBoyntonsactedas if theywereguilty.Butwhat iftheywerereallyinnocent?

'So now I considered how themurder could have been committed by anoutsider - someonewho did not knowMrsBoyntonwell enough to enter hercaveortouchhermedicinebottle.'

Hepaused.'Therearethreepeopleherewhoareoutsiders,butwhoarestillinvolvedinthecase.

'MrCopeisafamilyfriend.DidhehaveamotivetokillMrsBoynton?Idonot think so, since Mrs Boynton's death has ended his hopes with NadineBoynton.'

Mr Cope said with dignity, 'I had no opportunity to commit this crime,MonsieurPoirot-andIdon'tagreewiththetakingofhumanlife.'

'You certainly seem to be innocent,' said Poirot. 'In a detective story youwoulddefinitelybetheobvioussuspect!'

Heturneda little inhischair. 'Now,MissKinghadamotiveandmedicalknowledge,butsincesheleftthecampatthree-fifteenanddidnotreturnuntilsix,itisdifficulttoseewhenshecouldhavecommittedthecrime.

'Next we must consider Dr Gerard, and think carefully about when themurderwasactuallycommitted.LennoxBoyntonsaysthathismotherwasdeadatfourthirty-five.AccordingtoLadyWestholmeandMissPierce,shewasaliveatfour-fifteenwhentheystartedtheirwalk.Thatleavesexactlytwentyminutes.Now, as the two ladies walked away from the camp, Dr Gerard passed themgoingtowardsit.NooneknowswhatDrGerarddidwhenhereachedthecamp-hecouldhavecommitted the crime then.Sincehe is adoctor, he couldeasilypretendtohavemalaria.PerhapshekilledMrsBoyntontosavetheyoungandbeautifulGinevrafrommentalillness.'

'Yourideas,'saidDrGerard,'areunbelievable!'Without takinganynotice,Poirot continued. 'But ifDrGerardkilledMrs

Boynton,whydidhetellColonelCarburyaboutthedigitalinandthesyringe?ItwasthoughtthatMrsBoyntondiedofnaturalcauses,butitwasDrGerardwhofirstsuggestedthepossibilityofmurder.That,myfriends,'saidPoirot,'doesnotmakesense!'

'Itdoesn'tseemto,'agreedColonelCarbury.'There is one more possibility,' said Poirot. 'Nadine Boynton said that

Ginevracouldnothavekilledhermother-becausesheknewMrsBoyntonwasalreadydead.ButGinevraBoyntonwasatthecampallafternoon.Andtherewasjusttimeforhertocommitthecrime-whenLadyWestholmeandMissPiercewere walking away from the camp and before Dr Gerard returned.' Ginevralooked at Poirot with an innocent, puzzled stare. 'You think I did it?' Thensuddenly,withaquickandbeautifulmovement,shesatatDrGerard'sfeetandlookedpassionatelyupintohisface.'No,no,it'snottrue!Ineverdidanything!Theyaremyenemies-theywanttoputmeinprison.Youmusthelpme!'

'There,there,mychild.'GentlythedoctorpattedGinevra'shead.'Whatyousayisnonsense,'hesaidtoPoirot. 'IfGinevrahadkilledhermothershewouldhavedoneitboldly,withdrama.Thiscrimewasverycleverandwellplanned.'

Poirotsmiled.'Iagreewithyou,'hesaidsmoothly.

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN'Come,'saidHerculePoirot.'Wearenearlythere!Wehaveheardthefacts,

butnowwemust lookat themost important thing in this case -MrsBoyntonherself,andhowhermindworked.

'Pointsthreeandfouronmylistoffactsdefinitelydonotfittogether.MrsBoyntondefinitelyenjoyedstoppingher familyhavingagood timewithotherpeople - and yetMrsBoynton, on the afternoon of her death, encouraged herfamilytogoawayandenjoythemselves.Why?

'MrsBoyntonhas beendescribed inmanyways - evil, cruel, controlling,mad!ButIthinkSarahKingcameclosesttothetruth,whenshelookedatMrsBoyntonandthoughtshewaspathetic.AllherlifeMrsBoyntonwantedpowerandcontroloverotherpeople.Butwhatdidsheachieve?Intheendshehadnorealpower-allshedidwascontrolherownfamily.Travellingabroadmadeherrealizehowunimportantshereallywas.

'Andnowwecometopointnumberten-thewordsMrsBoyntonspoketoSarahKinginJerusalem.SarahKinghadtoldMrsBoyntonthatshewaspathetic- and the old woman knew it was true. Miss King said that Mrs Boyntonansweredher"sopoisonously -noteven lookingatme".But listencarefully -what did Mrs Boynton say? "I never forget. Remember that. I never forgetanything-anaction,anameoraface..."

'Doyourealizetheimportanceofthesewords?'Poirotwaitedamoment.'Itseemsnot...But,mesamis, theywerenotaproperanswer towhatMissKinghadjustsaid-theydonotmakeanysense!

'Itisobvious,'continuedPoirotexcitedly,'thatthosewordswerenotspokentoMissKing-theywerespokentosomeoneelsestandingbehindher!'

He paused, looking round him. 'Mrs Boynton has just been told she ispathetic, and realizes that it is true. But just at that moment she recognizessomeone-afacefromthepast-andanewvictim,anoutsider!

'SonowweknowwhyMrsBoyntonletherfamilygoontheafternoonofherdeath.Shewasplanningtospeaktohernewvictim!

'IntheafternoontheBoyntonfamilygoforawalk,andMrsBoyntonsitsupbyhercave.NowletusconsiderverycarefullytheevidenceofLadyWestholmeandMissPierce.MissPierceisnotagoodwitness-shedoesnotnoticemuch

andyoucansuggest ideas toher thatshe latersaysare true.LadyWestholme,however, isveryclearaboutfactsandnoticeseverything.Bothladiesagreeononefact!ABedouinservantapproachesMrsBoynton,angersherinsomewayandquicklyleaves.MissPiercesaidthattheservanthadfirstbeenintothetentofGinevraBoynton,butIthinkthattheservantwentintothetentofDrGerard,asitwasnextdoor.'

'Are you saying that one of the camp servants injected the old ladywithpoison?'saidColonelCarbury.'Idon'tbelieveit!'

'Wait! Ihavenotyet finished,' saidPoirot. 'So, theBedouin servantcamefromDrGerard's tentandnot thatofGinevraBoynton.Nowbothladiesagreethattheycouldnotseetheservant'sfaceclearly,andthattheydidnothearwhatwassaid.Thatisunderstandable,becausethedistancebetweenthemarqueeandthe ridge was about two hundred yards. Lady Westholme described the manclearly,includinghistornbreechesanduntidyputtees.'

Poirotleanedforward.'Butthat,myfriends,wasveryoddindeed!BecauseifLadyWestholmecouldnotseethefaceoftheservantorhearwhatwassaid,shecouldnotpossiblyhavenoticedwhathisbreeches andputtees looked likefromtwohundredyardsaway!

'Sowhy did LadyWestholme describe the clothes of the servant in suchdetail?Was it because they did not really exist?When LadyWestholme andMissPiercebothsaw theman, theycouldnot seeeachother fromwhere theyweresitting.ThatfactisclearbecauseLadyWestholmehadtocomeandseeifMissPiercewasawakeandfoundhersittingintheentranceofhertent.'

'My dear Poirot,' saidColonelCarbury, suddenly sitting up very straight.'Areyousuggesting-?'

'IamsuggestingthataftervisitingMissPierce(theonlywitnesswhowasawake),LadyWestholmereturnedtohertent,putonherridingbreeches,bootsand coat andmade herself aBedouin cheffiyah bywrapping a piece of fabricroundherhead.ThenshewentboldlyintothetentofDrGerard,tookhissyringeandfilled itupwithdigitalin,andwalkedstraightup tohervictim-whomayhavebeenasleep.

'Lady Westholme was quick. She held the wrist of Mrs Boynton andinjectedthepoison.MrsBoyntonhalfcriedoutandtriedtostandup-thensatback inherchair.The"Bedouin servant" leftquickly,as ifhewasafraid.MrsBoyntonshookherstickandcalledoutafterhim,butshecouldnotstandupby

herself.'FiveminuteslaterLadyWestholmegoesbacktoMissPierceandtalksto

heraboutMrsBoyntonandtheservant,carefullytellingherownversionofwhatjusthappenedsoMissPiercewillbegintothinkthatiswhatshereallysaw.Thentheygoforawalk,pausingbelowtheridgewhereLadyWestholmeshoutsuptotheold lady.There isnoanswer -MrsBoynton isdead.ButLadyWestholmesays to Miss Pierce, "She was very rude just to grunt at us like that!" LadyWestholme knows that her own strong personality can influenceMiss Pierce.Miss Pierce accepts the suggestion, and will swear quite sincerely that sheactually heard Mrs Boynton grunt. The only thing that went wrong was thatLadyWestholme did not have time to put back the syringe beforeDrGerardreturnedtohistent.Shehopedhewouldnotnoticethatthesyringewasmissing,andsheputitbackduringthenight.'Hestopped.

'Butwhy'?'saidSarah.'WhydidLadyWestholmekillMrsBoynton?''You told me that Lady Westholme was standing near you in Jerusalem

when you spoke to Mrs Boynton. Mrs Boynton's words - "I never forget.Rememberthat.Ineverforgetanything-anaction,anameoraface..."-werespoken to Lady Westholme. Mrs Boynton had once worked in a prison inAmerica-andLordWestholmemethiswifeonashiptravellingfromAmerica.BeforehermarriageLadyWestholmehadbeenacriminalandhadbeenlockedupinprison-thoughwedon'tyetknowwhy.

'But Mrs Boynton recognized Lady Westholme and knew she was acriminal.Atlastshehadrealpower!Ifshetoldanyone,LadyWestholmewouldloseeverything-hercareer,hermarriageandherimportantpositioninsociety!AndMrsBoynton likedbeingcruel - shewould enjoy revealing the truth andruiningLadyWestholme's life. SowhileMrsBoynton lived,LadyWestholmewas not safe. She didwhatMrsBoyntonwanted andmet her at Petra,whereLadyWestholme saw her chance and boldly committed her crime. Shemadeonly twomistakes.Onewas to say toomuch - describing the torn breeches -which first made me suspect her, and the other was when she went into thewrongtent.InsteadofgoingtoDrGerard'stentshefirstlookedintoGinevra's,wherethegirlwaslyinghalfasleep.WhenGinevraspokeofamanindisguisesenttokidnapher,therewasenoughtruthinherstoryformetounderstandwhathadhappened.'

He paused. 'But we shall soon know. Today I managed to get the

fingerprintsofLadyWestholmewithoutherknowing.WhenthesearesenttotheprisonwhereMrsBoyntonworked,wewillknowthetruth.'

Hestopped.In thebriefsilencea loudnoisewasheard- likeagunbeingfired.

'Itwasinthenextroom!'saidColonelCarbury,risingquicklytohisfeet.'Who'sstayingthere?'

'Ibelieve,'saidPoirotquietly,'itistheroomofLadyWestholme...'

EPILOPUEFromthenewspapertheEveningShout:We regret to announce thedeathofLadyWestholme,MP, after a terrible

accident.Whiletravellingabroad,LadyWestholmewascleaninghergun,whenit accidentally fired and killed her immediately. We would like to offer ourdeepestsympathytoherhusband,LordWestholme.

Fiveyears later,SarahBoyntonwassittingwithherhusbandRaymondattheSavoyHotel inLondon.WiththemsatGinevra,whoearlier intheeveninghadbeenactinginaverysuccessfulplay,andDrTheodoreGerard.Nadine,andahappy-lookingLennox,satacrossthetable.

'It'ssonicetobetogether!'saidNadine.'I'mgladwecame.AndIthinkourchildren are old enough to see theirAuntGinevra acting on stage, don't you,Lennox?'

Just then a well-dressed man with a superb moustache stopped at theirtable. Hercule Poirot smiled at them happily. 'So everything is well with theBoyntonfamily?'

'Yes, thanks to you,' said Sarah. 'Did you know that Carol has marriedJeffersonCope?AndGinevra-Ginevra'sagreatactress!'

AndGinevra,withaseriouslookonherbeautifulface,saidunexpectedly,'Poormother.Nowwe'reallsohappy,Ifeelsorryforher.Shedidn'tgetwhatshewantedfromlife-itmusthavebeenhardforher...'

-THEEND-Hopeyouhaveenjoyedthereading!

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