extraordinary 'dream'--the strange compulsion
he felt to kill himself! A few credulous people will
discuss the hypnotism theory--but the main result
will be to confirm without a doubt that the actual
hand that held the revolver was Benedict Farley's
own."
Hercule Poirot's eyes went to the widow's face
--the dismay--the ashy pallor--the blind fear.
"And in due course," he finished gently, "the
happy ending would have been achieved. A
THE DREAM
177
quarter of a million and two hearts that beat as
one .... "
John Stillingfleet, M.D., and Hercule Poirot
walked along the side of Northway House. On
their right was the towering wall of the factory.
Above them, on their left, were the windows of
Benedict Farley's and Hugo Cornworthy's rooms.
Hercule Poirot stopped and picked up a small ob-ject--a
black stuffed cat.
"Voild," he said. "That is what Cornworthy
held in the lazytongs against Farley's window.
You remember, he hated cats? Naturally he
rushed to the window."
"Why on earth didn't Cornworthy come out
and pick it up after he'd dropped it?"
"How could he? To do so would have been
definitely suspicious. After all, if this object where
found what would anyone think--that some child