&ot;

poirot responded, &ot;and r allerton would have t hi if hed gone aft&ot;

race said, potg to the revolver: &ot;rather fancy weve seen this not very long ago t ake sure, though&ot;

he knocked on the door of penngtons cab there was no answer the cab was epty race strode to the right hand drawer of the chest and jerked it open the revolver was gone

&ot;settles that,&ot; said race &ot;now then, wheres penngton hiself?&ot;

they went out aga on deck rs allerton had joed the group poirot oved swiftly over to her

&ot;ada, take iss otterbourne with you and look after her her other has been -&ot; he nsulted race with an eye and race nodded - &ot;killed&ot;

dr bessner ca btlg along

&ot;gott i hil! what is there now?&ot;

they ade way for hi race dicated the cab bessner went side

&ot;fd penngton,&ot; said race &ot;any frprts on that revolver?&ot;

&ot;none,&ot; said poirot

they found penngton on the deck below he was sittg the little drag-roo writg letters he lifted a hand, cleanshaven face

&ot;anythg new?&ot; he asked

&ot;didnt you hear a shot?&ot;

&ot;why - now you ntion it - i believe i did hear a kd of a bang but i never dread - whos been shot?&ot;

&ot;rs otterbourne&ot;

&ot;rs otterbourne?&ot; penngton unded ite astounded &ot;well, you do surprise rs otterbourne&ot; he shook his head &ot;i cant see that at all&ot; he lowered his voice &ot;strikes , ntlen, weve