"What d'you mean, not necessary?"
"I, Hercule Poirot, know. I see with the eyes of
the mind. And I will speak! M. Carter, will you
show us the packet in your breast pocket?"
"There's nothing in my pocket. What the
hell--"
"Tony, my good friend, if you will be so oblig-ing.''
Carter cried out:
"Damn you--"
Tony flipped the packet neatly out before
Carter could defend himself.
YELLOW IRIS
121
"There you are, M. Poirot, just as you said!"
"It's a damned lie," cried Carter.
Poirot picked up the packet, read the label.
"Cyanide of potassium. The case is complete."
Barton Russell's voice came thickly.
"Carter! I always thought so. Iris was in love
with you. She wanted to go away with you. You
didn't want a scandal for the sake of your precious
career so you poisoned her. You'll hang for this,
you dirty dog."
"Silence!" Poirot's voice rang out, firm and
authoritative. "This is not finished yet. I, Hercule
Poirot, have something to say. My friend here,
Tony Chapell, he says to me when I arrive, that I
have come in search of crime. That, it is partly
true. There was crime in my mind--but it was to
prevent a crime that I came. And I have prevented