The Case of Farmer Foster

Sitting in the cosy farmhouse, gazing out at cows in the field and relaxing in a comfortable old armchair, Flint felt content. Now it was time for him to hear from Amy Foster about the problem that had brought him to her farm.

" A man named Jebson wants to buy out all the farms in the area and consolidate them into one big farm-his, " she explained. " But I won't sell. I'm happy living and working here."

Amy Foster had the look of a woman who worked outdoors: She was a farmer. She and her husband Bob owned their small farm, which didn't earn enough to support the family. To supplement their income, Bob had taken a factory job in a neighbouring town. Amy ran the farm.

" I've heard talk around the village - nasty, threatening talk, " she told Flint. " It makes me fear that Jebson will try to sabotage my farm in some way, in order to force me to sell. I believe I've got good reason for my fears, but honestly, Mr. Flint, it's gotten so that I'm suspicious of everyone."

Flint knew that Amy Foster was not easily ruffled, and he understood her present concern.

" Of whom are you suspicions? " asked Flint.

" Well, for example, the other day the mailman was supposedly sick, and a man came who claimed to be his replacement. I began talking with him, and we got onto the subject of stamps. When I mentioned that I was an avid stamp collector, he told me he would come back soon and bring me a new stamp just printed-with a picture of the present King of France on it. 'An exceptionally pretty stamp, ' he said. Is he for real? Or does he just want an excuse to nose around my farm? "

She continued without a pause. " And then there was the hunter who was prowling around. He said he was hunting for red foxes. Then he started telling me about foxes - claiming that generally in the United States a significant part of the fox's diet consists of field mice! Sounds preposterous to me! Was he a real hunter, or was he prowling about my farm for the purpose of sabotage? "

" And listen to this, Mr. Flint, " she went on excitedly. " A man came to the door yesterday. He claimed Bob had mentioned to a friend of his that we have a rat problem in our barn - which we do. He recommended that we get a dog - a terrier. He said cats are fine, but he's always preferred terriers for catching rats. He told me the name of a kennel where I could get one. 'Get a good ratter, ' he said, 'and your problems will be over.' He's going to have a look around the barn one of these days, he said, to see how his advice has helped. Another ridiculous-sounding piece of information! "

" Am I getting paranoid? " Amy Foster asked at last. " Or are these men planning to sabotage my farm? "

'You have good cause for alarm, Mrs. Foster, " Flint

said. " Not all those men are what they pretend to be. They weren't all telling the truth. I'll tell you whom to suspect - of misrepresentation of identity and perhaps of intention to sabotage your farm! "

WHO DID FLINT THINK HAD LIED AND MIGHT INTEND SABOTAGE? WHY?