"Consolidated Coachlines."
"In connection with that," continued Inspector
Barnett, "Mr. Farley had agreed to give an inter-view
to two members of the Press. He very seldom
did anything of the kind--only about once in five
years, I understand. Accordingly two reporters,
one from the Associated Newsgroups, and one
from Amalgamated Press-sheets, arrived at a
quarter past three by appointment. They waited
on the first floor outside Mr. Farley's door--which
was the customary place for people to wait
who had an appointment with Mr. Farley. At
twenty past three a messenger arrived from the
office of-Consolidated Coachlines with some
urgent papers. He was shown into Mr. Farley's
room where he handed over the documents. Mr.
Farley accompanied him to the door of the room,
and from there spoke to the two members of the
Press. He said:
"'I am sorry, gentlemen, to have to keep you
waiting, but I have some urgent business to attend
to. I will be as quick as I can.'
"The two gentlemen, Mr. Adams and Mr. Stod-dart,
assured Mr. Farley that they would await his
convenience. He went back into his room, shut the
162
Agatha Christie
door--and was never seen ali,e again!"
"Continue," said Poirot.
"At a little after four o'clock," went on the in-spector,