"Yes. A.B.C.'s slipped up for once
versatile ['v@:s@taIl], shove [SVv], barber ['bA:b@]
"Stabbed this time?"
"Yes, varies his methods a bit, doesn't he? Biff on the head, strangling, now a knife. Versatile devil — what? Here are the medical details if you care to see 'em."
He shoved a paper towards Poirot.
"A.B.C. down on the floor between the dead man's feet," he added.
"Has the dead man been identified?" asked Poirot.
"Yes. A.B.C.'s slipped up for once — if that's any satisfaction to us. Deceased's a man called Earlsfield — George Earlsfield. Barber by profession."
"Curious," commented Poirot
"May have skipped a letter," suggested the Colonel
My friend shook his head doubtfully
"Shall we have in the next witness?" asked Crome
"Yes, yes — let's get on
A middle-aged gentleman
skip [skIp], resemble [rI'sembl], shrill [SrIl]
"Curious," commented Poirot.
"May have skipped a letter," suggested the Colonel.
My friend shook his head doubtfully.
"Shall we have in the next witness?" asked Crome. "He's anxious to get home."
"Yes, yes — let's get on."
A middle-aged gentleman strongly resembling the frog footman in Alice in Wonderland was led in. He was highly excited and his voice was shrill with emotion.
"Most shocking experience I have ever known," he squeaked
"Your name, please," said the inspector
"Downes
"Profession
"I am a master at Highfield School for boys
"Now, Mr. Downes
weak [wi:k], Emmanuel [I'm&njU@l], Highfield ['haIfi:ld]
"Most shocking experience I have ever known," he squeaked. "I have a weak heart, sir — a very weak heart; it might have been the death of me."
"Your name, please," said the inspector.
"Downes. Roger Emmanuel Downes."
"Profession?"
"I am a master at Highfield School for boys."
"Now, Mr. Downes, will you tell us in your own words what happened?"