It was so thrilling.
I had actually a post as governess near Doncaster at the time."
Poirot murmured something.
Miss Pierce went on with growing agitation: "That is why I felt that perhaps I had been wrong this morning. One must always tell everything, must one, of even the smallest detail, however unrelated it may seem.
Because, of course, if you are mixed up in this, poor Mrs. Boynton must have been murdered! I see that now.
I suppose Mr. Mah Mood - I cannot remember his name - but the dragoman, I mean - I suppose he could not be a Bolshevik agent?
Or even, perhaps, Miss King's?
I believe many quite well brought up young girls of good family belong to these dreadful Communists!
That's why I wondered if I ought to tell you - because, you see, it was rather peculiar when one comes to think of it."
"Precisely," said Poirot. "And therefore you will tell me all about it."
"Well, it's not really anything very much.
It's only that on the next morning after Mrs. Boynton's death I was up rather early and I looked out of my tent to see the effect of the sunrise, you know.
Only of course it wasn't actually sunrise because the sun must have risen quite an hour before. But it was early - "
"Yes, yes.
And you saw?"
"That's the curious thing - at least at the time it didn't seem much.
It was only that I saw that Boynton girl come out of her tent and fling something right out into the stream. Nothing in that, of course, but it glittered in the sunlight! As it went through the air. It glittered, you know."
"Which Boynton girl was it?"
"I think it was the one they call Carol - a very nice-looking girl - so like her brother. Really they might be twins.
Or, of course, it might have been the youngest one. The sun was in my eyes so I couldn't quite see.
But I don't think the hair was red - just bronze.
I'm so fond or that coppery bronze hair! Red hair always says carrots to me!" She tittered.
"And she threw away a brightly glittering object?" said Poirot.
"Yes.
And, of course, as I said, I didn't think much of it at the time.
But later I had walked along the stream and Miss King was there.
And there amongst a lot of other very unsuitable things - even a tin or two - I saw a little bright metal box. Not an exact square. A sort of long square if you understand what I mean - "
"But, yes, I understand perfectly.
About so long?"
"Yes, how clever of you!
And I thought to myself,
'I suppose that's what the Boynton girl threw away, but it's a nice little box.'
And just out of curiosity I picked it up and opened it.
It had a kind of syringe inside - the same thing they stuck into my arm when I was being inoculated for typhoid.
And I thought how curious to throw it away like that because it didn't seem broken or anything.
But just as I was wondering Miss King spoke behind me. I hadn't heard her come up. And she said,
'Oh, thank you - that's my hypodermic.
I was coming to look for it.'
So I gave it to her and she went back to the camp with it." Miss Pierce paused and then went on hurriedly: "And, of course, I expect there is nothing in it - only it did seem a little curious that Carol Boynton should throw away Miss King's syringe.
I mean, it was odd, if you know what I mean. Though of course I expect there is a very good explanation."
She paused, looking expectantly at Poirot.
His face was grave.
"Thank you Mademoiselle.
What you have told me may not be important in itself, but I will tell you this! It completes my case!
Everything is now clear and in order."
"Oh, really?" Miss Pierce looked as flushed and pleased as a child.
Poirot escorted her to the hotel.
Back in his own room he added one line to his memorandum:
"Point No. 10.
I never forget.