VI
"Well, it seems we have come to solve one mystery, and have ended up solving another," said Inspector Jefferson, with a look of satisfaction. "However" he sighed, "we are no closer to finding the murderer than we were before." His look of satisfaction vanished as though a light had been turned out.
"That is not necessarily the case. We now know it could have not been Madamemoiselle O'Dreir, and she seemed to be the most likely culprit. I think we should have another look at the scene of the murder."
The next day, Poirot and Inspector Jefferson entered the drawing room, which had not been touched since the murder. They had already inspected the room, but it was merely a quick glance, and they both felt that the possibility of having missed something was quite likely. The body however, was one thin that had been removed.
"There isn't anything here!" Said Inspector Jefferson impatiently "We're wasting our time."
"We may be," said Poirot calmly "then again, we may not. One footprint will lead to another"
"Stop speaking in riddles, it's really quite annoying!" Said Inspector Jefferson, beginning to lose his temper.
"They are only riddles to those who will not think. Anyway, we do not have time to argue, I believe I have found something." He showed Inspector Jefferson a button that had rolled under a chair, in the far corner of the room, well away from the door. "This does not look like an ordinary button, it is to expensive to belong to one of the servants. See the design on it, that is not English design."
"Then where is it from?" Inspector Jefferson asked, a strange glint in his eyes.
"I would say Italy, or perhaps Spain. But this is only a guess."
"Whom could it belong to? Lady Alice?"
"No, it is the button of a man."