ii

hercule poirot went down to where a girl was waiting.

jane olivera, her face white and strained, stood against the mantelpiece. beside her was

howard raikes.

she said:

“well?”

poirot said gently:

“it is all over.”

raikes said harshly:

“what do you mean?”

poirot said:

“mr. alistair blunt has been arrested for murder.”

raikes said:

“i thought he’d buy you off….”

jane said:

“no. i never thought that.”

poirot sighed. he said:

“the world is yours. the new heaven and the new earth. in your new world, my children, let

there be freedom and let there be pity … that is all i ask.”