The

The Welcome back everyone to one thousand one classic short stories and tales.

This is your host and narrator John Hagadorn, and we're glad to have you with us today.

Outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare, Agatha Christie is the best-selling novelist of all time,

and she also gave us a huge collection of great short stories, some of which have only recently entered the public domain.

Today's story, The Adventure of the Western Star, has all the elements needed for a

great detective story, blackmail letters, an elusive Chinaman, and a fabulous diamond called

The Western Star. If you enjoy this story, please remember to send us a kind review for 1001

classic short stories. And now, our story, the adventure of the Western Star.

I was standing at the window of Poirot's rooms looking out idly on the street below.

That's queer, I said suddenly beneath my breath.

What is my mon ami? asked Poirot placidly from the depths of his comfortable chair.

deduce Poirot from the following facts.

Here is a young lady, richly dressed, fashionable hat, magnificent furs.

She's coming along slowly, looking up at the houses as she goes.

Unknown to her, she's being shadowed by three men and a middle-aged woman.

They have just been joined by an errand-boy who points after the girl, gesticulating as he does so.

What drama is this being played?

Is the girl a crook?

And are the shadowers detectives preparing to arrest her?

Or are they the scoundrels?

And are they plotting to attack an innocent victim?

...