II

Hercule Poirot went down to where a girl was waiting.

Jane Olivera, her face white and strained, stood against the mantelpiece. Beside her wasHoward 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, letthere be freedom and let there be pity … That is all I ask.”