“Then, all the time, it was in the spill vase in Mrs. Inglethorp’s bedroom, under our very noses?” I cried.
Poirot nodded.
“Yes, my friend. That is where I discovered my ‘last link,’ and I owe that very fortunate discovery to you.”
“To me?”
“Yes. Do you remember telling me that my hand shook as I was straightening the ornaments on the mantelpiece?”
“Yes, but I don’t see–-”
“No, but I saw. Do you know, my friend, I remembered that earlier in the morning, when we had been there together, I
with scant ceremony. There were one or two green fabrics of varying shades; but Poirot shook his head over them all. He seemed somewhat apathetic in the search, as though he expected no great results from it. Suddenly he gave an exclamation.
“What is it?”
“Look!”
The chest was nearly empty, and there,