“Here we establish ourselves until our friend the Captain returns,” he explained. “You notice that I emphasized the point that we were returning to London by the first train? Possibly you thought I meant it. But no⁠—you observed Mrs. Maltravers’ face when she caught sight of this young Black? She was clearly taken aback, and he⁠— eh bien , he was very devoted, did you not think so? And he was here on Tuesday night⁠—the day before Mr. Maltravers died. We must investigate the doings of Captain Black, Hastings.”

In about half an hour we espied our quarry approaching the inn. Poirot went out and accosted him and presently brought him up to the room we had engaged.