HP23-EvilUndertheSun

AgathaChristie

Chapter1

WhenCaptainRogerAngmeringbuilthimselfahouseintheyear1782ontheislandoffLeathercombe
Bay,itwasthoughttheheightofeccentricityonhispart.Amanofgoodfamilysuchashewasshould
havehadadecorousmansionsetinwidemeadowswith,perhaps,arunningstreamandgoodpasture.
But Captain Roger Angmering had only one great love, the sea. So he built his house a sturdy house
too,asitneededtobe,onthelittlewindsweptgull-hauntedpromontorycutofffromlandateachhigh
tide.Hedidnotmarry,theseawashisfirstandlastspouse,andathisdeaththehouseandislandwentto
a distant cousin. That cousin and his descendants thought little of the bequest. Their own acres
dwindled,andtheirheirsgrewsteadilypoorer.

In1922whenthegreatcultoftheSeasideforHolidayswasfinallyestablishedandthecoastofDevon
and Cornwall was no longer thought too hot in the summer, Arthur Angmering found his vast
inconvenient late Georgian house unsaleable, but he got a good price for the odd bit of property
acquiredbytheseafaringCaptainRoger.Thesturdyhousewasaddedtoandembellished.Aconcrete
causewaywaslaiddownfromthemainlandtotheisland."Walks"and"Nooks"werecutanddevisedall
round the island. There were two tennis courts, sunterraces leading down to a little bay embellished
with rafts and divingboards. The Jolly Roger Hotel, Smugglers' Island, Leathercombe Bay came
triumphantlyintobeing.AndfromJunetillSeptember(withashortseasonatEaster)theJollyRoger
Hotel was usually packed to the attics. It was enlarged and improved in 1934 by the addition of a
cocktailbar,abiggerdining-roomandsomeextrabathrooms.Thepriceswentup.Peoplesaid:"Ever
been to Leathercombe Bay? Awfully jolly hotel there, on a sort of island. Very comfortable and no
trippersorcharabancs.Goodcookingandallthat.Yououghttogo."Andpeopledidgo.

Therewasoneveryimportantperson(inhisownestimationatleast)stayingattheJollyRoger.Hercule
Poirot, resplendent in a white duck suit, with a Panama hat tilted over his eyes, his moustaches
magnificentlybefurled,laybackinanimprovedtypeofdeck-chairandsurveyedthebathingbeach.A
seriesofterracesleddowntoitfromthehotel.Onthebeachitselfwerefloats,lilos,rubberandcanvas
boats,ballsandrubbertoys.Therewerealongspringboardandthreeraftsatvaryingdistancesfromthe
shore.Ofthebathers,somewereinthesea,somewerelyingstretchedoutinthesun,andsomewere
anointing themselves carefully with oil. On the terrace immediately above, the non-bathers sat and
commentedontheweather,thesceneinfrontofthem,thenewsinthemorningpapersandanyother
subjectthatappealedtothem.

On Poirot's left a ceaseless flow of conversation poured in gentle monotone from the lips of Mrs
Gardener while at the same time her needles clacked as she knitted vigorously. Beyond her, her
husband, Odell C. Gardener, lay in a hammock chair, his hat tilted forward over his nose, and

occasionally uttered a brief statement when called upon to do so. On Poirot's right, Miss Brewster, a
toughathleticwomanwithgrizzledhairandapleasantweatherbeatenface,madegruffcomments.The
resultsoundedratherlikeasheepdogwhoseshortstentorianbarksinterruptedtheceaselessyappingofa
Pomeranian. Mrs Gardener was saying: "And so I said to Mr Gardener, why, I said, sightseeing is all
verywell,andIdoliketodoaplacethoroughly.But,afterall,Isaid,we'vedoneEnglandprettywell
andallIwantnowistogetsomequietspotbytheseasideandjustrelax.That'swhatIsaid,wasn'tit,
Odell?Justrelax.IfeelImustrelax,Isaid.That'sso,isn'tit,Odell?"

MrGardener,frombehindhishat,murmured:"Yes,darling."

MrsGardenerpursuedthetheme."Andso,whenImentionedittoMrKelso,atCook's(He'sarranged
all our itinerary for us and been most helpful in every way. I don't really know what we'd have done
withouthim!)Well,asIsay,whenImentionedittohim,MrKelsosaidthatwecouldn'tdobetterthan
come here. A most picturesque spot, he said, quite out of the world, and at the same time very
comfortableandmostexclusiveineveryway.AndofcourseMrGardener,hechippedinthereandsaid
what about the sanitary arrangements? Because, if you'll believe me, Mr Poirot, a sister of Mr
Gardener's went to stay at a guesthouse once, very exclusive they said it was, and in the heart of the
moors, but would you believe me, nothing but an earth closet! So naturally that made Mr Gardener
suspiciousofthoseout-of-the-worldplaces,didn'tit,Odell?"

"Why,yes,darling,"saidMrGardener.

"But Mr Kelso reassured us at once. The sanitation, he said, was absolutely the latest word, and the
cookingwasexcellent.AndI'msurethat'sso.AndwhatIlikeaboutitis,it'sintimeifyouknowwhatI
mean.Beingasmallplacewealltalktoeachotherandeverybodyknowseverybody.Ifthereisafault
abouttheBritishitisthatthey'reinclinedtobeabitstand-offishuntilthey'veknownyouacoupleof
years.Afterthatnobodycouldbenicer.MrKelsosaidthatinterestingpeoplecamehereandIseehe
wasright.There'syou,MrPoirotandMissDarnley.Oh!IwasjusttickledtodeathwhenIfoundout
whoyouwere,wasn'tI,Odell?"

"Youwere,darling."

"Ha!"saidMissBrewster,breakinginexplosively."Whatathrill,eh,M.Poirot?"

HerculePoirotraisedhishandsindeprecation.Butitwasnomorethanapolitegesture.MrsGardener
flowedsmoothlyon."Yousee,M.Poirot,I'dheardalotaboutyoufromCorneliaRobson.MrGardener
andIwereatBadenhofinMay.AndofcourseCorneliatoldusallaboutthatbusinessinEgyptwhen
LinnetRidgewaywaskilled.ShesaidyouwerewonderfulandI'vealwaysbeensimplycrazytomeet
you,haven'tI,Odell?"

"Yes,darling."

"AndthenMissDarnley,too.IgetalotofmythingsatRoseMond'sandofcoursesheisRoseMond,
isn'tshe?Ithinkherclothesareeversoclever.Suchamarvellousline.ThatdressIhadonlastnight
wasoneofhers.She'sjustalovelywomanineveryway,Ithink."

From beyond Miss Brewster, Major Barry who had been sitting with protuberant eyes glued to the
bathersgrantedout:"Distinguished-lookin'gal!"

MrsGardenerclackedherneedles."I'vejustgottoconfessonething,M.Poirot.Itgavemeakindofa
turnmeetingyouhere-notthatIwasn'tjustthrilledtomeetyou,becauseIwas.MrGardenerknows
that.Butitjustcametomethatyoumightbeherewell,professionally.YouknowwhatImean?Well,
I'mjustterriblysensitive,asMrGardenerwilltellyou,andIjustcouldn'tbearitifIwastobemixedup
incrimeofanykind.Yousee-"

MrGardenerclearedhisthroat.Hesaid:"Yousee,M.Poirot,MrsGardenerisverysensitive."

ThehandsofHerculePoirotshotintotheair."Butletmeassureyou,Madame,thatIamheresimplyin
the same way that you are here yourselves - to enjoy myself - to spend the holiday. I do not think of
crimeeven."

MissBrewstersaidagaingivinghershortgruffbark:"NobodiesonSmugglers'Island."

Hercule Poirot said: "Ah! but that, it is not strictly true." He pointed downward. "Regard them there,
lyingoutinrows.Whatarethey?Theyarenotmenandwomen.Thereisnothingpersonalaboutthem.
Theyarejust-bodies!"

MajorBarrysaidappreciatively:"Good-lookingfillies,someof'em.Bitonthethinside,perhaps."

Poirotcried:"Yes,butwhatappealisthere?Whatmystery?I,Iamold,oftheoldschool.WhenIwas
young,onesawbarelytheankle.Theglimpseofafoamypetticoat,howalluring!Thegentleswellingof
thecalf-aknee-aberibbonedgarter-"

"Naughty,naughty!"saidMajorBarryhoarsely.

"Muchmoresensible-thethingswewearnowadays,"saidMissBrewster.

"Why,yes,M.Poirot,"saidMrsGardener."Idothink,youknow,thatourgirlsandboysnowadayslead
amuchmorenaturalhealthylife.Theyjustrompabouttogetherandthey-well,they-"MrsGardener
blushedslightlyforshehadanicemind-"theythinknothingofit,ifyouknowwhatImean?"

"Idoknow,"saidHerculePoirot."Itisdeplorable!"

"Deplorable?"squeakedMrsGardener.

"To remove all the romance all the mystery! Today everything is standardized!" He waved a hand
towardstherecumbentfigures."ThatremindsmeverymuchoftheMorgueinParis."

"M.Poirot!"MrsGardenerwasscandalized.

"Bodiesarrangedonslabslikebutcher'smeat!"

"ButM.Poirot,isn'tthattoofar-fetchedforwords?"

HerculePoirotadmitted:"Itmaybe,yes."

"Allthesame,"MrsGardenerknittedwithenergy,"I'minclinedtoagreewithyouononepoint.These
girlsthatlieoutlikethatinthesunwillgrowhairontheirlegsandarms.I'vesaidsotoIrene-that'smy
daughter,M.Poirot.Irene,Isaidtoher,ifyoulieoutlikethatinthesun,you'llhavehairalloveryou,
haironyourarmsandhaironyourlegsandhaironyourbosom,andwhatwillyoulooklikethen?I
saidtoher.Didn'tI,Odell?"

"Yes,darling,"saidMrGardener.

Every one was silent, perhaps making a mental picture of Irene when the worst had happened. Mrs
Gardenerrolledupherknittingandsaid:"Iwondernow-"

Mr Gardener said: "Yes, darling?" He struggled out of the hammock chair and took Mrs Gardener's
knittingandherbook.Heasked:"Whataboutjoiningusforadrink,MissBrewster?"

"Notjustnow,thanks."

TheGardenerswentuptothehotel.MissBrewstersaid:"Americanhusbandsarewonderful!"

MrsGardener'splacewastakenbytheReverendStephenLane.MrLanewasatallvigorousclergyman
offiftyodd.Hisfacewastannedandhisdarkgreyflanneltrouserswereholidayfiedanddisreputable.
Hesaidwithenthusiasm:"Marvellouscountry!I'vebeenfromLeathercombeBaytoHarfordandback
overthecliffs."

"Warmworkwalkingtoday,"saidMajorBarrywhoneverwalked.

"Good exercise," said Miss Brewster. "I haven't been for my row yet. Nothing like rowing for your
stomachmuscles."TheeyesofHerculePoirotdroppedsomewhatruefullytoacertainprotuberancein
his middle. Miss Brewster, noting the glance, said kindly: "You'd soon get that off, M. Poirot, if you
tookarowing-boatouteveryday."

"Merci,Mademoiselle.Idetestboats!"

"Youmeansmallboats?"

"Boatsofallsizes!"Heclosedhiseyesandshuddered."Themovementofthesea,itisnotpleasant."

"Blesstheman,theseaisascalmasamillpondtoday."

Poirot replied with conviction: "There is no such thing as a really calm sea. Always, always, there is
motion."

"Ifyouaskme,"saidMajorBarry,"seasicknessisnine-tenthsnerves."

"There,"saidtheclergyman,smilingalittle,"speaksthegoodsailor-eh,Major?"

"Onlybeenillonce-andthatwascrossingthechannel!Don'tthinkaboutit,that'smymotto."

"Seasicknessisreallyaveryoddthing,"musedMissBrewster."Whyshouldsomepeoplebesubjectto
itandnotothers?Itseemssounfair.Andnothingtodowithone'sordinaryhealth.Quitesicklypeople
aregoodsailors.Someonetoldmeonceitwassomethingtodowithone'sspine.Thenthere'stheway
somepeoplecan'tstandheights.I'mnotverygoodmyself,butMrsRedfernisfarworse.Theotherday,
onthecliffpathtoHarford,sheturnedquitegiddyandsimplyclungtome.Shetoldmesheoncegot
stuck halfway down that outside staircase on Milan Cathedral. She'd gone up without thinking but
comingdowndidforher."

"She'dbetternotgodowntheladdertoPixyCove,then,"observedLane.

Miss Brewster made a face. "I funk that myself. It's all right for the young. The Cowan boys and the
youngMastermans,theyrunupanddownitandenjoyit."

Lanesaid:"HerecomesMrsRedfernnowcomingupfromherbathe."

MissBrewsterremarked:"M.Poirotoughttoapproveofher.She'snosunbather."

YoungMrsRedfernhadtakenoffherrubbercapandwasshakingoutherhair.Shewasanashblonde
andherskinwasofthatdeadfairnessthatgoeswiththatcolouring.Herlegsandarmswereverywhite.
Withahoarsechuckle,MajorBarrysaid:"Looksabituncookedamongtheothers,doesn'tshe?"

Wrapping herself in a long bathrobe Christine Redfern came up the beach and mounted the steps
towardsthem.Shehadafairseriousface,prettyinanegativeway,andsmalldaintyhandsandfeet.She
smiledatthemanddroppeddownbesidethem,tuckingherbath-wraproundher.MissBrewstersaid:
"You have earned M. Poirot's good opinion. He doesn't like the sun-tanning crowd. Says they're like
jointsofbutcher'smeatorwordstothateffect."

ChristineRedfernsmiledruefully.Shesaid:"IwishIcouldsunbathe!ButIdon'tbrown.Ionlyblister
andgetthemostfrightfulfrecklesallovermyarms."

"Better than getting hair all over them like Mrs Gardener's Irene," said Miss Brewster. In answer to
Christine'sinquiringglanceshewenton:"MrsGardener'sbeeningrandformthismorning.Absolutely
nonstop.'Isn'tthatso,Odell?''Yes,darling.'"Shepausedandthensaid:"Iwish,though,M.Poirot,that
you'dplayeduptoherabit.Whydidn'tyoutellherthatyouweredownhereinvestigatingaparticularly
gruesome murder, and that the murderer, an homicidal maniac, was certainly to be found among the
guestsofthehotel?"

HerculePoirotsighed.Hesaid:"Iverymuchfearshewouldhavebelievedme."

MajorBarrygaveawheezychuckle.Hesaid:"Shecertainlywould."

Emily Brewster said: "No, I don't believe even Mrs Gardener would have believed in a crime staged
here.Thisisn'tthesortofplaceyou'dgetabody!"

Hercule Poirot stirred a little in his chair. He protested. He said: "But why not, Mademoiselle? Why
shouldtherenotbewhatyoucalla'body'hereonSmugglers'Island?"

EmilyBrewstersaid:"Idon'tknow.Isupposesomeplacesaremoreunlikelythanothers.Thisisn'tthe
kindofspot-"Shebrokeoff,findingitdifficulttoexplainhermeaning.

"It is romantic, yes," agreed Hercule Poirot. "It is peaceful. The sun shines. The sea is blue. But you
forget,MissBrewster,thereisevileverywhereunderthesun."

Theclergymanstirredinhischair.Heleanedforward.Hisintenselyblueeyeslightedup.MissBrewster
shruggedhershoulders."Oh!ofcourseIrealizethat,butallthesame-"

"But all the same this still seems to you an unlikely setting for crime? You forget one thing,
Mademoiselle."

"Humannature,Isuppose?"

"That,yes.That,always.ButthatwasnotwhatIwasgoingtosay.Iwasgoingtopointouttoyouthat
hereeveryoneisonholiday."

EmilyBrewsterturnedapuzzledfacetohim."Idon'tunderstand."

HerculePoirotbeamedkindlyather.Hemadedabsintheairwithanemphaticforefinger."Letussay,
youhaveanenemy.Ifyouseekhimoutinhisflat,inhisoffice,inthestreet-ehbien,youmusthavea
reason-youmustaccountforyourself.Buthereattheseasideitisnecessaryfornoonetoaccountfor
himself.YouareatLeathercombeBay,why?Parbleu!itisAugust-onegoestotheseasideinAugust-
oneisonone'sholiday.Itisquitenatural,yousee,foryoutobehereandforMrLanetobehereandfor
Major Barry to be here and for Mrs Redfern and her husband to be here. Because it is the custom in
EnglandtogototheseasideinAugust."

"Well,"admittedMissBrewster,"that'scertainlyaveryingeniousidea.ButwhatabouttheGardeners?
They're American." Poirot smiled. "Even Mrs Gardener, as she told us, feels the need to relax. Also,
since she is 'doing' England, she must certainly spend a fortnight at the seaside - as a good tourist, if
nothingelse.Sheenjoyswatchingpeople."

MrsRedfernmurmured:"Youlikewatchingthepeopletoo,Ithink?"

"Madame,Iwillconfessit.Ido."

Shesaidthoughtfully:"Yousee-agooddeal."

Therewasapause.StephenLaneclearedhisthroatandsaidwithatraceofself-consciousness:"Iwas
interested, M. Poirot, in something you said just now. You said that there was evil done everywhere
underthesun.ItwasalmostaquotationfromEcclesiastes."Hepausedandthenquotedhimself."Yea,
alsotheheartofthesonsofmenisfullofevil,andmadnessisintheirheartwhiletheylive."Hisfacelit
upwithanalmostfanaticallight."Iwasgladtohearyousaythat.Nowadays,noonebelievesinevil.It
isconsidered,atmost,amerenegationofgood.Evil,peoplesay,isdonebythosewhoknownobetter-
whoareundeveloped-whoaretobepitiedratherthanblamed.But,M.Poirot,evilisreal!Itisafact!I
believeinEvilasIbelieveinGood.Itexists!Itispowerful!Itwalkstheearth!"Hestopped.Hisbreath
was coming fast. He wiped his forehead with a handkerchief and looked suddenly apologetic. "I'm
sorry.Igotcarriedaway."

Poirotsaidcalmly:"Iunderstandyourmeaning.UptoapointIagreewithyou.Evildoeswalktheearth
andcanberecognizedassuch."

MajorBarryclearedhisthroat."Talkingofthatsortofthing,someofthesefakirfellersinIndia-"

MajorBarryhadbeenlongenoughattheJollyRogerforeveryonetobeontheirguardagainsthisfatal
tendency to embark on long India stories. Both Miss Brewster and Mrs Redfern burst into speech.
"That'syourhusbandswimminginnow,isn'tit,MrsRedfern?Howmagnificenthiscrawlstrokeis.He's
anawfullygoodswimmer."AtthesamemomentMrsRedfernsaid:"Oh,look!Whatalovelylittleboat
thatisouttherewiththeredsails.It'sMrBlatt's,isn'tit?"Thesailingboatwiththeredsailswasjust
crossingtheendofthebay.

MajorBarrygrunted:"Fancifulidea,redsails,"butthemenaceofthestoryaboutthefakirwasavoided.

HerculePoirotlookedwithappreciationattheyoungmanwhohadjustswumtoshore.PatrickRedfern
wasagoodspecimenofhumanity.Lean,bronzed,withbroadshouldersandnarrowthighs,therewas

about him a kind of infectious enjoyment and gaiety - a native simplicity that endeared him to all
womenandmostmen.Hestoodthereshakingthewaterfromhimandraisingahandingaysalutation
tohiswife.Shewavedback,callingout:"Comeuphere,Pat."

"I'mcoming."

Hewentalittlewayalongthebeachtoretrievethetowelhehadleftthere.Itwasthenthatawoman
camedownpastthemfromthehoteltothebeach.Herarrivalhadalltheimportanceofastageentrance.
Moreover,shewalkedasthoughsheknewit.Therewasnoself-consciousnessapparent.Itwouldseem
thatshewastoousedtotheinvariableeffectherpresenceproduced.Shewastallandslender.Shewore
asimplebacklesswhitebathingdressandeveryinchofherexposedbodywastannedabeautifuleven
shadeofbronze.Shewasasperfectasastatue.Herhairwasarichflamingauburncurlingrichlyand
intimatelyintoherneck.Herfacehadthatslighthardnesswhichisseenwhenthirtyyearshavecome
andgone,butthewholeeffectofherwasoneofyouth-ofsuperbandtriumphantvitality.Therewasa
Chineseimmobilityaboutherface,andanupwardslantofthedarkblueeyes.Onherheadsheworea
fantasticChinesehatofjade-greencardboard.Therewasthataboutherwhichmadeveryotherwoman
onthebeachseemfadedandinsignificant.Andwithequalinevitability,theeyeofeverymalepresent
wasdrawnandrivettedonher.

TheeyesofHerculePoirotopened,hismoustachequiveredappreciatively.MajorBarrysatupandhis
protuberanteyesbulgedevenfurtherwithexcitement;onPoirot'slefttheReverendStephenLanedrew
in his breath with a little hiss and his figure stiffened. Major Barry said in a hoarse whisper: "Arlena
Stuart(that'swhoshewasbeforeshemarriedMarshall)-IsawherinComeandGobeforesheleftthe
stage.Somethingworthlookingat,eh?"

ChristineRedfernsaidslowlyandhervoicewascold:"She'shandsome-yes.Ithink-shelooksrathera
beast!"

Emily Brewster said abruptly: "You talked about evil just now, M. Poirot. Now to my mind that
woman'sapersonificationofevil!She'sabadlotthroughandthrough.Ihappentoknowagooddeal
abouther."

Major Barry said reminiscently: "I remember a gal out in Simla. She had red hair too. Wife of a
subaltern.Didshesettheplacebytheears?I'llsayshedid!Menwentmadabouther!Allthewomen,
ofcourse,wouldhavelikedtogougehereyesout!Sheupsettheapplecartinmorehomesthanone."
Hechuckledreminiscently."Husbandwasanicequietfellow.Worshippedthegroundshewalkedon.
Neversawathing-ormadeouthedidn't."

StephenLanesaidinalowvoicefullofintensefeeling:"Suchwomenareamenace-amenaceto-"He
stopped.

ArlenaStuarthadcometothewater'sedge.Twoyoungmen,littlemorethanboys,hadsprungupand
comeeagerlytowardher.Shestoodsmilingatthem.HereyesslidpastthemtowherePatrickRedfern
was coming along the beach. It was, Hercule Poirot thought, like watching the needle of a compass.
PatrickRedfernwasdeflected,hisfeetchangedtheirdirection.Theneedle,dowhatitwill,mustobey
the law of magnetism and turn to the North. Patrick Redfern's feet brought him to Arlena Stuart. She
stoodsmilingathim.Thenshemovedslowlyalongthebeachbythesideofthewaves.PatrickRedfern
wentwithher.Shestretchedherselfoutbyarock.Redferndroppedtotheshinglebesideher.Abruptly,
ChristineRedferngotupandwentintothehotel.

Therewasanuncomfortablelittlesilenceaftershehadleft.ThenEmilyBrewstersaid:"It'srathertoo
bad.She'sanicelittlething.They'veonlybeenmarriedayearortwo."

"Gal I was speaking of," said Major Barry, "the one in Simla. She upset a couple of really happy
marriages.Seemedapity,what?"

"There's a type of woman," said Miss Brewster, "who likes smashing up homes." She added after a
minuteortwo,"PatrickRedfern'safool!"HerculePoirotsaidnothing.Hewasgazingdownthebeach,
but he was not looking at Patrick Redfern and Arlena Stuart. Miss Brewster said: "Well, I'd better go
andgetholdofmyboat."Sheleftthem.

Major Barry turned his boiled gooseberry eyes with mild curiosity on Poirot. "Well, Poirot," he said.
"Whatareyouthinkingabout?You'venotopenedyourmouth.Whatdoyouthinkofthesiren?Pretty
hot?"

Poirotsaid:"C'estpossible."

"Nowthen,youolddog.IknowyouFrenchmen!"

Poirotsaidcoldly:"IamnotaFrenchman!"

"Well,don'ttellmeyouhaven'tgotaneyeforaprettygirl!Whatdoyouthinkofher,eh?"

HerculePoirotsaid:"Sheisnotyoung."

"Whatdoesthatmatter?Awoman'sasoldasshelooks!Herlooksareallright."

HerculePoirotnodded.Hesaid:"Yes,sheisbeautiful.Butitisnotbeautythatcountsintheend.Itis
notbeautythatmakeseveryhead(exceptone)turnonthebeachtolookather."

"It'sit,myboy,"saidtheMajor."That'swhatitis-it."Thenhesaidwithsuddencuriosity:"Whatare
youlookingatsosteadily?"

Hercule Poirot replied: "I'm looking at the exception. At the one man who did not look up when she
passed."

MajorBarryfollowedhisgazetowhereitrestedonamanofaboutforty,fair-hairedandsun-tanned.He
had a quiet, pleasant face and was sitting on the beach smoking a pipe and reading the Times. "Oh,
that!"saidMajorBarry."That'sthehusband,myboy.That'sMarshall."

HerculePoirotsaid:"Yes,Iknow."

MajorBarrychuckled.Hehimselfwasabachelor.HewasaccustomedtothinkofTheHusbandinthree
lightsonly-as"theObstacle,""theInconvenience"or"theSafeguard."Hesaid:"Seemsanicefellow.
Quiet.WonderifmyTimeshascome?"Hegotupandwentuptowardsthehotel.

Poirot'sglanceshiftedslowlytothefaceofStephenLane.StephenLanewaswatchingArlenaMarshall
andPatrickRedfern.HeturnedsuddenlytoPoirot.Therewasasternfanaticallightinhiseyes.Hesaid:
"Thatwomanisevilthroughandthrough.Doyoudoubtit?"

Poirotsaidslowly:"Itisdifficulttobesure."

StephenLanesaid:"But,manalive,don'tyoufeelitintheair?Allroundyou?ThepresenceofEvil."

Slowly,HerculePoirotnoddedhishead.

Chapter2

WhenRosamundDarnleycameandsatdownbyhim,HerculePoirotmadenoattempttodisguisehis
pleasure.Ashehassinceadmitted,headmiredRosamundDarnleyasmuchasanywomanhehadever
met.Helikedherdistinction,thegracefullinesofherfigure,thealertproudcarriageofherhead.He
likedtheneatsleekwavesofherdarkhairandtheironicqualityofhersmile.Shewaswearingadress
ofsomenavybluematerialwithtouchesofwhite.Itlookedverysimpleowingtotheexpensiveseverity

of its line. Rosamund Darnley as Rose Mond Ltd was one of London's best-known dressmakers. She
said:"Idon'tthinkIlikethisplace.I'mwonderingwhyIcamehere!"

"You'vebeenherebefore,haveyounot?"

"Yes,twoyearsago,atEaster.Thereweren'tsomanypeoplethen."

HerculePoirotlookedather.Hesaidgently:"Somethinghasoccurredtoworryyou.Thatisright,isit
not?"

Shenodded.Herfootswungtoandfro.Shestareddownatit.Shesaid:"I'vemetaghost.That'swhatit
is."

"Aghost,Mademoiselle?"

"Yes."

"Theghostofwhat?Orofwhom?"

"Oh,theghostofmyself."

Poirotaskedgently:"Wasitapainfulghost?"

"Unexpectedlypainful.Ittookmeback,youknow."Shepaused,musing.Thenshesaid:"Imaginemy
childhood-No,youcan't.You'renotEnglish!"

Poirotasked:"WasitaveryEnglishchildhood?"

"Oh,incrediblyso!Thecountry-abigshabbyhouse-horses,dogs-walksintherain-woodfires-
applesintheorchard-lackofmoney-oldtweeds-eveningdressesthatwentonfromyeartoyear-a
neglectedgarden-withMichaelmasdaisiescomingoutlikegreatbannersintheAutumn..."

Poirotaskedgently:"Andyouwanttogoback?"

RosamundDarnleyshookherhead.Shesaid:"Onecan'tgoback,canone?That-never.ButI'dliketo
havegoneon-adifferentway."

Poirotsaid:"Iwonder."

RosamundDarnleylaughed."SodoIreally!"

Poirotsaid:"WhenIwasyoung(andthat,Mademoiselle,isindeedalongtimeago)therewasagame
entitled'ifnotyourself,whowouldyoube?'Onewrotetheanswerinyoungladies'albums.Theyhad
goldedgesandwereboundinblueleather.Theanswer,Mademoiselle,isnotreallyveryeasytofind."

Rosamund said: "No - I suppose not. It would be a big risk. One wouldn't like to take on being
MussoliniorPrincessElizabeth.Asforone'sfriends,oneknowstoomuchaboutthem.Irememberonce
meeting a charming husband and wife. They were so courteous and delightful to one another and
seemedonsuchgoodtermsafteryearsofmarriagethatIenviedthewoman.I'dhavechangedplaces
withherwillingly.Somebodytoldmeafterwardsthatinprivatethey'dneverspokentoeachotherfor
elevenyears!"Shelaughed."Thatshows,doesn'tit,thatyouneverknow?"

AfteramomentortwoPoirotsaid:"Manypeople.Mademoiselle,mustenvyyou."

RosamundDarnleysaidcoolly:"Oh-yes.Naturally."Shethoughtaboutit,herlipscurvedupwardin
their ironic smile. "Yes, I'm really the perfect type of the successful woman! I enjoy the artistic
satisfaction of the successful creative artist (I really do like designing clothes) and the financial
satisfactionofthesuccessfulbusinesswoman.I'mverywelloff,I'veagoodfigure,apassableface,and
anottoomalicioustongue."Shepaused.Hersmilewidened."Ofcourse-Ihaven'tgotahusband!I've
failedthere,haven'tI,M.Poirot?"

Poirot said gallantly: "Mademoiselle, if you are not married, it is because none of my sex have been
sufficientlyeloquent.Itisfromchoice,notnecessity,thatyouremainsingle."

Rosamund Darnley said: "And yet, like all men, I'm sure you believe in your heart that no woman is
contentunlesssheismarriedandhaschildren."

Poirotshruggedhisshoulders."Tomarryandhavechildrenthatisthecommonlotofwomen.Onlyone
womaninahundred-more,inathousand-canmakeforherselfanameandapositionasyouhave
done."

Rosamundgrinnedathim."Andyet,allthesame,I'mnothingbutawretchedoldmaid!That'swhatI
feeltoday,atanyrate.I'dbehappierwithatwopenceayearandabigsilentbruteofahusbandanda
broodofbratsrunningafterme.That'strue,isn'tit?"

Poirotshruggedhisshoulders."Sinceyousayso,then,yes,Mademoiselle."

Rosamundlaughed,herequilibriumsuddenlyrestored.Shetookoutacigaretteandlitit.Shesaid:"You
certainlyknowhowtodealwithwomen,M.Poirot.Inowfeelliketakingtheoppositepointofview
andarguingwithyouinfavourofcareersforwomen.OfcourseI'mdamnedwelloffasIam-andI
knowit!"

"Theneverythinginthegarden-orshallwesayattheseaside?-islovely,Mademoiselle."

"Quiteright."

Poirot, in his turn, extracted his cigarette case and lit one of those tiny cigarettes which it was his
affectation to smoke. Regarding the ascending haze with a quizzical eye, he murmured: "So Mr - no,
Captain-Marshallisanoldfriendofyours,Mademoiselle?"

Rosamundsatup.Shesaid:"Nowhowdoyouknowthat?Oh,IsupposeKentoldyou."

Poirotshookhishead."Nobodyhastoldmeanything.Afterall,Mademoiselle,Iamadetective.Itwas
theobviousconclusiontodraw."

RosamundDarnleysaid:"Idon'tseeit."

"Butconsider!"Thelittleman'shandswereeloquent."Youhavebeenhereaweek.Youarelively,gay,
without a care. Today, suddenly, you speak of ghosts, of old times. What has happened? For several
daystherehavebeennonewarrivalsuntillastnightwhenCaptainMarshallandhiswifeanddaughter
arrive.Todaythechange!Itisobvious!"

Rosamund Darnley said: "Well, it's true enough. Kenneth Marshall and I were more or less children
together.TheMarshallslivednextdoortous.Kenwasalwaysnicetome-althoughcondescending,of
course,sincehewasfouryearsolder.I'venotseenanythingofhimforalongtime.Itmustbe-fifteen
yearsatleast."

Poirotsaidthoughtfully:"Alongtime."Rosamundnodded.TherewasapauseandthenHerculePoirot
said:"Heissympathetic,yes?"

Rosamundsaidwarmly:"Ken'sadear.Oneofthebest.Frightfullyquietandreserved.I'dsayhisonly
faultisapenchantformakingunfortunatemarriages."

Poirotsaidinatoneofgreatunderstanding:"Ah..."

Rosamund Darnley went on. "Kenneth's a fool - an utter fool where women are concerned! Do you
remembertheMartingdalecase?"

Poirotfrowned."Martingdale?Martingdale?Arsenic,wasitnot?"

"Yes.Seventeenoreighteenyearsago.Thewomanwastriedforthemurderofherhusband."

"Andhewasprovedtohavebeenanarseniceaterandshewasacquitted?"

"That'sright.Well,afterheracquittal,Kenmarriedher.That'sthesortofdamnsillythinghedoes."

HerculePoirotmurmured:"Butifshewasinnocent?"

RosamundDarnleysaidimpatiently:"Oh,Idaresayshewasinnocent.Nobodyreallyknows!Butthere
areplentyofwomentomarryintheworldwithoutgoingoutofyourwaytomarryonewho'sstoodtrial
formurder."Poirotsaidnothing.PerhapsheknewthatifhekeptsilenceRosamundDarnleywouldgo
on.Shedidso."Hewasveryyoung,ofcourse,onlyjusttwenty-one.Hewascrazyabouther.Shedied
when Linda was born - a year after their marriage. I believe Ken was terribly cut up by her death.
Afterwards he racketed around a lot - trying to forget, I suppose." She paused. "And then came this
businessofArlenaStuart.ShewasinRevueatthetime.TherewastheCodringtondivorcecase.Lady
Codrington divorced Codrington citing Arlena Stuart. They say Lord Codrington was absolutely
infatuatedwithher.Itwasunderstoodtheyweretobemarriedassoonasthedecreewasmadeabsolute.
Actually,whenitcametoit,hedidn'tmarryher.Turnedherdownflat.Ibelievesheactuallysuedhim
forbreachofpromise.Anyway,thethingmadeabigstiratthetime.Thenextthingthathappensisthat
Kengoesandmarriesher.Thefool-thecompletefool!"

HerculePoirotmurmured:"Amanmightbeexcusedsuchafolly-sheisbeautiful,Mademoiselle."

"Yes,there'snodoubtofthat.Therewasanotherscandalaboutthreeyearsago.OldSirRogerErskine
lefthereverypennyofhismoney.IshouldhavethoughtthatwouldhaveopenedKen'seyesifanything
would."

"Anddiditnot?"

RosamundDarnleyshruggedhershoulders."ItellyouI'veseennothingofhimforyears.Peoplesay,
though,thathetookitwithabsoluteequanimity.WhyIshouldliketoknow?Hashegotanabsolutely
blindbeliefinher?'"

"Theremightbeotherreasons."

"Yes.Pride!Keepingastiffupperlip!Idon'tknowwhathereallyfeelsabouther.Nobodydoes."

"Andshe?Whatdoesshefeelabouthim?"

Rosamundstaredathim.Shesaid:"She?She'stheworld'sfirstgold-digger.Andamaneateraswell!If
anythingpersonableintrouserscomeswithinahundredyardsofher,it'sfreshsportforArlena!She's
thatkind."

Poirotnoddedhisheadslowlyincompleteagreement."Yes,"hesaid."Thatistruewhatyousay...Her
eyeslookforonethingonly-men."

Rosamundsaid:"She'sgothereyeonPatrickRedfernnow.He'sagood-lookingman-andratherthe
simplekind-youknow,fondofhiswife,andnotaphilanderer.That'sthekindthat'smeatanddrinkto
Arlena.IlikelittleMrsRedfern-she'snice-lookinginherfairwashed-outway-butIdon'tthinkshe'll
standadog'schanceagainsttheman-eatingtiger,Arlena."

Poirotsaid:"No,itisasyousay."Helookeddistressed.

Rosamundsaid:"ChristineRedfernwasaschoolteacher,Ibelieve.She'sthekindthatthinksthatmind
hasapullovermatter.She'sgotarudeshockcomingtoher."Poirotshookhisheadvexedly.Rosamund
gotup.Shesaid:"It'sashame,youknow."Sheaddedvaguely:"Somebodyoughttodosomethingabout
it."

Linda Marshall was examining her face dispassionately in her bedroom mirror. She disliked her face
verymuch.Atthisminuteitseemedtohertobemostlybonesandfreckles.Shenotedwithdistasteher

heavybushofred-brownhair(mouse,shecalleditinherownmind),hergreenish-greyeyes,herhigh
cheekbonesandthelongaggressivelineofthechin.Hermouthandteethweren'tperhapsquitesobad-
but what were teeth after all? And was that a spot coming on the side of her nose? She decided with
reliefthatitwasn'taspot.Shethoughttoherself:"It'sawfultobesixteen-simplyawful."

Onedidn't,somehow,knowwhereonewas.Lindawasasawkwardasayoungcoltandaspricklyasa
hedgehog.Shewasconsciousthewholetimeofherungainlinessandofthefactthatshewasneitherone
thing nor the other. It hadn't been so bad at school. But now she had left school. Nobody seemed to
knowquitewhatshewasgoingtodonext.HerfathertalkedvaguelyofsendinghertoParisnextwinter.
Linda didn't want to go to Paris - but then she didn't want to be at home either. She'd never realized
properly,somehow,untilnow,howverymuchshedislikedArlena.

Linda'syoungfacegrewtense,hergreeneyeshardened.Arlena...Shethoughttoherself:"She'sabeast
-abeast..."Stepmothers!Itwasrottentohaveastepmother,everybodysaidso.Anditwastrue!Not
thatArlenawasunkindtoher.Mostofthetimeshehardlynoticedthegirl.Butwhenshedid,therewas
a contemptuous amusement in her glance, in her words. The finished grace and poise of Arlena's
movementsemphasizedLinda'sownadolescentclumsiness.WithArlenaabout,onefelt,shamingly,just
howimmatureandcrudeonewas.Butitwasn'tthatonly.No,itwasn'tonlythat.Lindagropedhaltingly
intherecessesofhermind.Shewasn'tverygoodatsortingoutheremotionsandlabellingthem.Itwas
something that Arlena did to people - to the house - "She's bad," thought Linda with decision. "She's
quite,quitebad."

But you couldn't even leave it at that. You couldn't just elevate your nose with a sniff of moral
superiorityanddismissherfromyourmind.Itwassomethingshedidtopeople.Father,now.Fatherwas
quitedifferent...Shepuzzledoverit.Fathercomingdowntotakeheroutfromschool.Fathertakingher
onceforacruise.AndFatherathome-withArlenathere.All-allsortofbottledupandnot-andnot
there.Lindathought:"Andit'llgoonlikethis.Dayafterday-monthaftermonth.Ican'tbearit."

Lifestretchedbeforeher-endless-inaseriesofdaysdarkenedandpoisonedbyArlena'spresence.She
waschildishenoughstilltohavelittlesenseofproportion.Ayear,toLinda,seemedlikeaneternity.A
bigdarkburningwaveofhatredagainstArlenasurgedupinhermind.Shethought:"I'dliketokillher.
Oh!Iwishshe'ddie..."

Shelookedoutabovethemirrorontotheseabelow.Thisplacewasreallyratherfun.Oritcouldbefun.
Allthosebeachesandcovesandqueerlittlepaths.Lotstoexplore.Andplaceswhereonecouldgooff
byoneselfandmuckabout.Therewerecaves,too,sotheCowanboyshadtoldher.Lindathought:"If
onlyArlenawouldgoaway,Icouldenjoymyself."

Her mind went back to the evening of their arrival. It had been exciting coming coming from the
mainland. The tide had been up over the causeway. They had come in a boat. The hotel had looked
exciting,unusual.Andthenontheterraceatalldarkwomanhadjumpedupandsaid:"Why,Kenneth!"

Andherfather,lookingfrightfullysurprised,hadexclaimed:"Rosamund!"

Linda considered Rosamund Darnley severely and critically in the manner of youth. She decided that
sheapprovedofRosamund.Rosamund,shethought,wassensible.Andherhairgrewnicely-asthough
itfittedher-mostpeople'shairdidn'tfitthem.Andherclotheswerenice.Andshehadakindoffunny
amusedface-asthoughitwereamusedatherselfnotatyou.Rosamundhadbeennicetoher,Linda.
She hadn't been gushing or said things. (Under the term of "saying things" Linda grouped a mass of
miscellaneousdislikes.)AndRosamundhadn'tlookedasthoughshethoughtLindaafool.Infactshe'd
treatedLindaasthoughshewerearealhumanbeing.Lindasoseldomfeltlikearealhumanbeingthat
shewasdeeplygratefulwhenanyoneappearedtoconsiderherone.

Father, too, had seemed pleased to see Miss Darnley. Funny - he'd looked quite different, all of a
sudden. He'd looked - he'd looked - Linda puzzled it out - why, young, that was it! He'd laughed - a
queer boyish laugh. Now Linda came to think of it, she'd very seldom heard him laugh. She felt
puzzled.Itwasasthoughshe'dgotaglimpseofquiteadifferentperson.Shethought:"Iwonderwhat
Fatherwaslikewhenhewasmyage..."Butthatwastoodifficult.Shegaveitup.

An idea flashed across her mind. What fun it would have been if they'd come here and found Miss
Darnleyhere-justsheandFather.Avistaopenedoutjustforaminute.Father,boyishandlaughing.
MissDarnley,herself-andallthefunonecouldhaveontheisland-bathing-caves-Theblackness
shutdownagain.

Arlena. One couldn't enjoy oneself with Arlena about. Why not? Well, she, Linda, couldn't, anyway.
Youcouldn'tbehappywhentherewasapersonthereyou-hated.Yes,hated.ShehatedArlena.Very
slowlythatblackburningwaveofhatredroseupagain.Linda'sfacewentverywhite.Herlipsparteda
little.Thepupilsofhereyescontracted.Andherfingersstiffenedandclenchedthemselves...

KennethMarshalltappedonhiswife'sdoor.Whenhervoiceanswered,heopenedthedoorandwentin.
Arlena was just putting the finishing touches on her toilet. She was dressed in glittering green and
lookedalittlelikeamermaid.Shewasstandinginfrontoftheglassapplyingmascaratohereyelashes.
Shesaid:"Oh,it'syou.Ken."

"Yes.Iwonderedifyouwereready."

"Justaminute."

Kenneth Marshall strolled to the window. He looked out on the sea. His face, as usual, displayed no
emotionofanykind.Itwaspleasantandordinary.Turningaround,hesaid:"Arlena?"

"Yes?"

"You'vemetRedfernbefore,Igather?"

Arlenasaideasily:"Oh,yes,darling.Atacocktailpartysomewhere.Ithoughthewasratherapet."

"SoIgather.Didyouknowthatheandhiswifewerecomingdownhere?"

Arlenaopenedhereyesverywide."Oh,no,darling.Itwasthegreatestsurprise!"

Kenneth Marshall said quietly: "I thought, perhaps, that that was what put the idea of this place into
yourhead.Youwereverykeenweshouldcomehere."

Arlenaputdownthemascara.Sheturnedtowardshim.Shesmiled-asoftseductivesmile.Shesaid:
"Somebodytoldmeaboutthisplace.IthinkitwastheRylands.Theysaiditwassimplytoomarvellous
sounspoilt!Don'tyoulikeit?"

KennethMarshallsaid:"I'mnotsure."

"Oh,darling,butyouadorebathingandlazingabout.I'msureyou'llsimplyadoreithere."

"Icanseethatyoumeantoenjoyyourself."Hereyeswidenedalittle.Shelookedathimuncertainly.
KennethMarshallsaid:"IsupposethetruthofitisthatyoutoldyoungRedfernthatyouwerecoming
here?"

Arlenasaid:"Kennethdarling,you'renotgoingtobehorrid,areyou?"

KennethMarshallsaid:"Lookhere,Arlena.Iknowwhatyou'relike.That'sratheraniceyoungcouple.
Thatboy'sfondofhiswifereally.Mustyouupsetthewholeblinkingshow?"

Arlenasaid:"It'ssounfairblamingme.Ihaven'tdoneanythinganythingatall.Ican'thelpitif-"

Hepromptedher."Ifwhat?"

Hereyelidsfluttered."Well,ofcourse,Iknowpeopledogocrazyaboutme.Butit'snotmydoing.They
justgetlikethat."

"SoyoudoadmitthatyoungRedferniscrazyaboutyou?"

Arlenamurmured:"It'sreallyratherstupidofhim."Shemovedasteptowardsherhusband."Butyou
know,don'tyou,Ken,thatIdon'treallycareforanyonebutyou?"

Shelookedupathimthroughherdarkenedlashes.Itwasamarvellouslook-alookthatfewmencould
haveresisted.KennethMarshalllookeddownathergravely.Hisfacewascomposed.Hisvoicequiet.
Hesaid:"IthinkIknowyouprettywell,Arlena..."

Whenyoucameoutofthehotelonthesouthsidetheterracesandthebathingbeachwereimmediately
belowyou.Therewasalsoapaththatledoffroundthecliffonthesouthwestsideoftheisland.Alittle
wayalongit,afewstepsleddowntoaseriesofrecessescutintothecliffandlabelledonthehotelmap
oftheislandasSunnyLedge.Herecutoutofthecliffwerenicheswithseatsinthem.Tooneofthese,
immediatelyafterdinner,camePatrickRedfernandhiswife.Itwasalovelyclearnightwithabright
moon.TheRedfernssatdown.Forawhiletheyweresilent.AtlastPatrickRedfernsaid:"It'saglorious
evening,isn'tit,Christine?"

"Yes." Something in her voice may have made him uneasy. He sat without looking at her. Christine
Redfernaskedinherquietvoice:"Didyouknowthatwomanwasgoingtobehere?"

Heturnedsharply.Hesaid:"Idon'tknowwhatyoumean."

"Ithinkyoudo."

"Lookhere,Christine.Idon'tknowwhathascomeoveryou-"

Sheinterrupted.Hervoiceheldfeelingnow.Ittrembled."Overme?It'swhathascomeoveryou!"

"Nothing'scomeoverme."

"Oh!Patrick!Ithas!Youinsistedoncominghere.Youwerequitevehement.IwantedtogotoTintagel
againwherewherewehadourhoneymoon.Youwerebentoncominghere."

"Well,whynot?It'safascinatingspot."

"Perhaps.Butyouwantedtocomeherebecauseshewasgoingtobehere."

"She?Whoisshe?"

"MrsMarshall.You-you'reinfatuatedwithher."

"ForGod'ssake,Christine,don'tmakeafoolofyourself.It'snotlikeyoutobejealous."Hisblusterwas
alittleuncertain.Heexaggeratedit.

Shesaid:"We'vebeenhappy!"

"Happy?Ofcoursewe'vebeenhappy!Wearehappy.Butweshan'tgoonbeinghappyifIcan'teven
speaktoanotherwomanwithoutyoukickinguparow."

"It'snotlikethat."

"Yes, it is. In marriage one has got to have - well - friendships with other people. This suspicious
attitudeisallwrong.I-Ican'tspeaktoaprettywomanwithoutyourjumpingtotheconclusionthatI'm
inlovewithher-"Hestopped.Heshruggedhisshoulders.

ChristineRedfernsaid:"Youareinlovewithher..."

"Oh,don'tbeafool,Christine!I've-I'vebarelyspokentoher."

"That'snottrue."

"Don'tforgoodness'sakegetintothehabitofbeingjealousofeveryprettywomanwecomeacross."

ChristineRedfernsaid:"She'snotjustanyprettywoman!She's-she'sdifferent!She'sabadlot!Yes,
sheis.She'lldoyouharm.Patrick,please,giveitup.Let'sgoawayfromhere."

Patrick Redfern stuck out his chin mutinously. He looked somehow very young as he said defiantly:
"Don'tberidiculous,Christine.Andanddon'tlet'squarrelaboutit."

"Idon'twanttoquarrel."

"Thenbehavelikeareasonablehumanbeing.Comeon,let'sgobacktothehotel."

Hegotup.Therewasapause,thenChristineRedferngotuptoo.Shesaid:"Verywell..."

In the recess adjoining, on the seat there, Hercule Poirot sat and shook his head sorrowfully. Some
people might have scrupulously removed themselves from earshot of a private conversation. But not
HerculePoirot.Hehadnoscruplesofthatkind."Besides,"asheexplainedtohisfriendHastingsata
laterdate,"itwasaquestionofmurder."

Hastingssaid,staring:"Butthemurderhadn'thappened,then."

HerculePoirotsighed.Hesaid:"Butalready,moncher,itwasveryclearlyindicated."

"Thenwhydidn'tyoustopit?"

AndHerculePoirot,withasigh,said,ashehadsaidoncebeforeinEgypt,thatifapersonisdetermined
tocommitmurderitisnoteasytopreventthem.Hedoesnotblamehimselfforwhathappened.Itwas,
accordingtohim,inevitable.

Chapter3

Rosamund Darnley and Kenneth Marshall sat on the short springy tuff of the cliff overlooking Gull
Cove. This was on the east side of the island. People came here in the morning sometimes to bathe
whentheywantedtobepeaceful.Rosamundsaid:"It'snicetogetawayfrompeople."

Marshall murmured inaudibly: "Mm, yes." He rolled over sniffing at the short tuff. "Smells good.
RememberthedownsatShipley?"

"Rather."

"Prettygood,thosedays."

"Yes."

"You'renotchangedmuch,Rosamund."

"Yes,Ihave.I'vechangedenormously."

"You'vebeenverysuccessfulandyou'rerichandallthat,butyou'rethesameoldRosamund."

Rosamundmurmured:"IwishIwere."

"What'sthat?"

"Nothing. It's a pity, isn't it, Kenneth, that we can't keep the nice natures and high ideals that we had
whenwewereyoung?"

"I don't know that your nature was ever particularly nice, my child. You used to get into the most
frightfulrages.Youhalfchokedmeoncewhenyouflewatmeinatemper."

Rosamundlaughed.Shesaid:"DoyourememberthedaythatwetookTobydowntogetwaterrats?"

They spent some minutes in recalling old adventures. Then there came a pause. Rosamund's fingers
playedwiththeclaspofherbag.Shesaidatlast:"Kenneth?"

"Um."Hisreplywasindistinct.Hewasstilllyingonhisfaceonthetuff.

"IfIsaysomethingtoyouthatisprobablyoutrageouslyimpertinent,willyouneverspeaktomeagain?"

Herolledoverandsatup."Idon'tthink,"hesaidseriously,"thatIwouldeverregardanythingyousaid
asimpertinent.Yousee,youbelong."

She nodded in acceptance of all that last phrase meant. She concealed only the pleasure it gave her.

"Kenneth,whydon'tyougetadivorcefromyourwife?"

Hisfacealtered.Ithardened-thehappyexpressiondiedoutofit.Hetookapipefromhispocketand
beganfillingit.Rosamundsaid:"I'msorryifI'veoffendedyou."

Hesaidquietly:"Youhaven'toffendedme."

"Well,then,whydon'tyou?"

"Youdon'tunderstand,mydeargirl."

"Areyousofrightfullyfondofher?"

"It'snotjustaquestionofthat.Yousee,Imarriedher."

"Iknow.Butshe'sprettynotorious."

Heconsideredthatforamoment,ramminginthetobaccocarefully."Isshe?Isupposesheis."

"Youcoulddivorceher,Ken."

"Mydeargirl,you'vegotnobusinesstosayathinglikethat.Justbecausemenlosetheirheadsabout
herabitisn'ttosaythatsheloseshers."

Rosamundbitoffarejoinder.Thenshesaid:"Youcouldfixitsothatshedivorcedyou-ifyoupreferit
thatway."

"IdaresayIcould."

"Yououghtto,Ken.Really,Imeanit.There'sthechild."

"Linda?"

"Yes,Linda."

"What'sLindagottodowithit?"

"Arlena'snotgoodforLinda.Sheisn'treally.Linda,Ithink,feelsthingsagooddeal."

KennethMarshallappliedamatchtohispipe.Betweenpuffshesaid:"Yes-there'ssomethinginthat.I
supposeArlenaandLindaaren'tverygoodforeachother.Nottherightthingforagirlperhaps.It'sabit
worrying."

Rosamundsaid:"IlikeLinda-verymuch.There'ssomething-fineabouther."

Kennethsaid:"She'slikehermother.ShetakesthingshardlikeRuthdid."

Rosamundsaid:"Thendon'tyouthink-really-thatyououghttogetridofArlena?"

"Fixupadivorce?"

"Yes.Peoplearedoingthatallthetime."

KennethMarshallsaidwithsuddenvehemence:"Yes,andthat'sjustwhatIhate."

"Hate?"Shewasstartled.

"Yes. Sort of attitude to life there is nowadays. If you take on a thing and don't like it, then you get
yourselfoutof itasquick aspossible!Dash itall,there's gotto besucha thingasgood faith.Ifyou
marryawomanandengageyourselftolookafterher,well,it'suptoyoutodoit.It'syourshow.You've
takeniton.I'msickofquickmarriageandeasydivorce.Arlena'smywife,that'sallthereistoit."

Rosamundleanedforward.Shesaidinalowvoice:"Soit'slikethatwithyou?'Tilldeathdouspart'?"

KennethMarshallnoddedhishead.Hesaid:"That'sjustit."

Rosamundsaid:"Isee."

Mr Horace Blatt, returning to Leathercombe Bay down a narrow twisting lane, nearly ran down Mrs
Redfernatacorner.Assheflattenedherselfintothehedge,MrBlattbroughthisSunbeamtoahaltby
applyingthebrakesvigorously."Hullo-ullo-ullo,"saidMrBlattcheerfully.Hewasalargemanwitha
redfaceandafringeofreddishhairroundashiningbaldspot.ItwasMrBlatt'sapparentambitiontobe
the life and soul of any place he happened to be in. The Jolly Roger Hotel, in his opinion, given
somewhat loudly, needed brightening up. He was puzzled at the way people seemed to melt and
disappearwhenhehimselfarrivedonthescene."Nearlymadeyouintostrawberryjam,didn'tI?"said
MrBlattgaily.

ChristineRedfernsaid:"Yes,youdid."

"Jumpin,"saidMrBlatt.

"Oh,thanksIthinkI'llwalk."

"Nonsense,"saidMrBlatt."What'sacarfor?"

YieldingtonecessityChristineRedferngotin.MrBlattrestartedtheenginewhichhadstoppedowing
tothesuddennesswithwhichhehadpreviouslypulledup.MrBlattinquired:"Andwhatareyoudoing
walkingaboutallalone?That'sallwrong,anice-lookinggirllikeyou."

Christinesaidhurriedly:"Oh!Ilikebeingalone."

MrBlattgaveheraterrificdigwithhiselbow,nearlysendingthecarintothehedgeatthesametime.
"Girlsalwayssaythat,"hesaid."Theydon'tmeanit.Youknow,thatplace,theJollyRoger,wantsabit
of livening up. Nothing jolly about it. No life in it. Of course there's a good amount of duds staying
there.Alotofkids,tobeginwith,andalotofoldfogeystoo.There'sthatoldAnglo-Indianboreand
that athletic parson and those yapping Americans and that foreigner with the moustache makes me
laughthatmoustacheofhis!Ishouldsayhe'sahair-dresser,somethingofthatsort."

Christineshookherhead."Oh,no,he'sadetective."

MrBlattnearlyletthecargointothehedgeagain."Adetective?D'youmeanhe'sindisguise?"

Christine smiled faintly. She said: "Oh, no, he really is like that. He's Hercule Poirot. You must have
heardofhim."

MrBlattsaid:"Didn'tcatchhisnameproperly.Oh,yes,I'veheardofhim.ButIthoughthewasdead...
Dashit,heoughttobedead.What'sheafterdownhere?"

"He'snotafteranything-he'sjustonaholiday."

"Well,Isupposethatmightbeso."MrBlattseemeddoubtfulaboutit."Looksabitofabounder,doesn't
he?"

"Well,"saidChristineandhesitated."Perhapsalittlepeculiar."

"WhatIsayis,"saidMrBlatt,"what'swrongwithScotlandYard?BuyBritisheverytimeforme."He
reachedthebottomofthehillandwithatriumphantfanfareofthehornranthecarintotheJollyRoger's
garagewhichwassituated,fortidalreasons,onthemainlandoppositethehotel.

LindaMarshallwasinthesmallshopwhichcateredtothewantsofvisitorstoLeathercombeBay.One
side of it was devoted to shelves on which were books which could be borrowed for the sum of
twopence. The newest of them was ten years old, some were twenty years old and others older still.
Linda took first one and then another doubtfully from the shelf and glanced into it. She decided she
couldn't possibly read The Four Feathers or Vice Versa. She took out a small squat volume in brown
calf.Thetimepassed...WithastartLindashovedthebookbackintheshelfasChristineRedfern'svoice
said:"Whatareyoureading,Linda?"

Lindasaidhurriedly:"Nothing.I'mlookingforabook."ShepulledoutTheMarriageofWilliamAshe
atrandomandadvancedtothecounterfumblingfortwopence.

Christinesaid:"MrBlattjustdrovemehomeafternearlyrunningovermefirst,IreallyfeltIcouldn't
walkallacrossthecausewaywithhim,soIsaidIhadtobuysomethings."

Lindasaid:"He'sawful,isn'the?Alwayssayinghowrichheisandmakingthemostterriblejokes."

Christinesaid:"Poorman.Onereallyfeelsrathersorryforhim."

Lindadidn'tagree.Shedidn'tseeanythingtobesorryforinMrBlatt.Shewasyoungandruthless.She
walkedwithChristineRedfernoutoftheshopanddowntowardsthecauseway.Shewasbusywithher

ownthoughts.ShelikedChristineRedfern.SheandRosamundDarnleyweretheonlybearablepeople
ontheislandinLinda'sopinion.Neitherofthemtalkedmuchtoherforonething.Now,astheywalked,
Christine didn't say anything. That, Linda thought, was sensible. If you hadn't anything worth saying
whygochatteringallthetime?Shelostherselfinherownperplexities.

Shesaidsuddenly:"MrsRedfern,haveyoueverfeltthateverything'ssoawful-soterrible-thatyou'll,
oh,burst..."

Thewordswerealmostcomic,butLinda'sface,drawnandanxious,wasnot.ChristineRedfern,looking
athervaguely,withscarcelycomprehendingeyes,certainlysawnothingtolaughat...Shecaughther
breathsharply.Shesaid:"Yes-yesIhavefelt-justthat..."

MrBlattsaid:"Soyou'rethefamoussleuth,eh?"Theywereinthecocktailbar,afavoritehauntofMr
Blatt's.

HerculePoirotacknowledgedtheremarkwithhisusuallackofmodesty.MrBlattwenton."Andwhat
areyoudoingdownhere-onajob?"

"No,no.Ireposemyself.Itaketheholiday."

MrBlattwinked."You'dsaythatanyway,wouldn'tyou?"

Poirotreplied:"Notnecessarily."

HoraceBlattsaid:"Oh!comenow.Asamatteroffactyou'dbesafeenoughwithme.Idon'trepeatallI
hear!Learnttokeepmymouthshutyearsago.Shouldn'thavegotonthewayIhaveifIhadn'tknown
howtodothat.Butyouknowwhatmostpeopleare-yap,yap,yap,abouteverythingtheyhear!Now
youcan'taffordthatinyourtrade!That'swhyyou'vegottokeepitupthatyou'rehereholiday-making
andnothingelse."

Poirotasked:"Andwhyshouldyousupposethecontrary?"

MrBlattdosedoneeye.Hesaid:"I'mamanoftheworld.Iknowthecutofafellow'sjib.Amanlike
youwouldbeatDeauvilleorLeTouquetordownatJuanlesPins.That'syour-what'sthephrase?-
spiritualhome."

Poirotsighed.Helookedoutofthewindow.Rainwasfallingandmistencircledtheisland.Hesaid:"It

ispossiblethatyouareright!There,atleast,inwetweathertherearethedistractions."

"GoodoldCasino!"saidMrBlatt."Youknow,I'vehadtoworkprettyhardmostofmylife.Notimefor
holidaysorkickshaws.ImeanttomakegoodandIhavemadegood.NowIcandowhatIplease.My
money'sasgoodasanyman's.I'veseenabitoflifeinthelastfewyears,Icantellyou."

Poirotmurmured:"Ah,yes?"

"Don'tknowwhyIcametothisplace,"MrBlattcontinued.

Poirotobserved:"I,too,wondered."

"Eh,what'sthat?"

Poirotwavedaneloquenthand."I,too,amnotwithoutobservation.Ishouldhaveexpectedyoumost
certainlytochooseDeauvilleorBiarritz."

"Insteadofwhich,we'rebothhere,eh?"MrBlattgaveahoarsechuckle."Don'treallyknowwhyIcame
here,"hemused."Ithink,youknow,itsoundedromantic.JollyRogerHotel,Smugglers'Island.That
kindofaddressticklesyouup,youknow.Makesyouthinkofwhenyouwereaboy.Pirates,smuggling,
all that." He laughed rather self-consciously. "I used to sail quite a bit as a boy. Not this part of the
world.OfftheEastcoast.Funnyhowatasteforthatsortofthingneverleavesyou.Icouldhaveatiptop
yacht if I liked, but somehow I don't really fancy it. I like mucking about in that little yawl of mine.
Redfern'skeenonsailing,too.He'sbeenoutwithmeonceortwice.Can'tgetholdofhimnow-always
hanging round that red-haired wife of Marshall's." He paused, then lowering his voice, he went on.
"Mostlyadried-uplotofsticksinthishotel!MrsMarshall'sabouttheonlylivelyspot!Ishouldthink
Marshall'sgothishandsfulllookingafterher.Allsortsofstoriesaboutherinherstagedays-andafter!
Mengocrazyafterher.You'llsee,there'llbeaspotoftroubleoneofthesedays."

Poirotsaid:"Whatkindoftrouble?"

HoraceBlattreplied:"Thatdepends.I'dsay,lookingatMarshall,thathe'samanwithafunnykindof
temper.Asamatteroffact,Iknowheis.Heardsomethingabouthim.I'vemetthatquietsort.Never
knowwhereyouarewiththatkind.Redfernhadbetterlookout-"

He broke off, as the subject of his words came into the bar. He went on speaking loudly and self-
consciously. "And, as I say, sailing round this coast is good fun. Hullo, Redfern, have one with me?

What'llyouhave?DryMartini?Right.Whataboutyou,MrPoirot?"

Poirotshookhishead.PatrickRedfernsatdownandsaid:"Sailing?It'sthebestfunintheworld.WishI
coulddomoreofit.Usedtospendmostofmytimeasaboyinasailingdinghyroundthiscoast."

Poirotsaid:"Thenyouknowthispartoftheworldwell?"

"Rather!Iknewthisplacebeforetherewasahotelonit.Therewerejustafewfishermen'scottagesat
LeathercombeBayandatumbledownoldhouse,allshutup,ontheisland."

"Therewasahousehere?"

"Oh,yes,butithadn'tbeenlivedinforyears.Waspracticallyfallingdown.Thereusedtobeallsortsof
stories of secret passages from the house to Pixy's Cave. We were always looking for that secret
passage,Iremember."

HoraceBlattspilthisdrink.Hecursed,moppedhimselfandasked:"WhatisthisPixy'sCave?"

Patrick said: "Oh, don't you know it? It's on Pixy Cove. You can't find the entrance to it easily. It's
among a lot of piled-up boulders at one end. Just a long thin crack. You can just squeeze through it.
Insideitwidensoutintoquiteabigcave.Youcanimaginewhatfunitwastoaboy!Anoldfisherman
showedittome.Nowadays,eventhefishermendon'tknowaboutit.Iaskedonetheotherdaywhythe
placewascalledPixyCoveandhecouldn'ttellme."

HerculePoirotsaid:"ButIstilldonotunderstand.WhatisthisPixy?"

PatrickRedfernsaid:"Oh!that'stypicallyDevonshire.There'saPixy'sCaveonSheepstorontheMoor.
You'resupposedtoleaveapin,youknow,asapresentforthePixy.APixyisakindofmoorspirit."

HerculePoirotsaid:"Ah!butitisinteresting,that."

PatrickRedfernwenton."There'salotofpixyloreonDartmoorstill.ThereareTorsthataresaidtobe
pixy-ridden,andIexpectthatfarmerscominghomeafterathicknightstillcomplainofbeingpixy-led."

HoraceBlattsaid:"Youmeanwhenthey'vehadaCouple?"

PatrickRedfernsaidwithasmile:"That'scertainlythecommonsenseexplanation!"

Blatt looked at his watch. He said: "I'm going in to dinner. On the whole, Redfern, pirates are my
favourites,notpixies."

Patrick Redfern said with a laugh as the other went out: "Faith, I'd like to see the old boy pixy-led
himself!"

Poirotobservedmeditatively:"Forahard-bittenbusinessman,M.Blattseemstohaveaveryromantic
imagination."

Patrick Redfern said: "That's because he's only half educated. Or so my wife says. Look at what he
reads!NothingbutthrillersorWildWeststories."

Poirotsaid:"Youmeanthathehasstillthementalityofaboy?"

"Well,don'tyouthinkso,sir?"

"Me,Ihavenotseenverymuchofhim."

"Ihaven'treally,either.I'vebeenoutsailingwithhimonceortwice,buthedoesn'treallylikehaving
anyonewithhim.Hepreferstobeonhisown."

HerculePoirotsaid:"Thatisindeedcurious.Itissingularlyunlikehispracticeonland."

Redfernlaughed.Hesaid:"Iknow.Weallhaveabitoftroublekeepingoutofhisway.He'dliketoturn
thisplaceintoacrossbetweenMargateandLeTouquet."

Poirot said nothing for a minute or two. He was studying the laughing face of his companion very
attentively.Hesaidsuddenlyandunexpectedly:"Ithink,MrRedfern,thatyouenjoyliving."

Patrickstaredathim,surprised."IndeedIdo.Whynot?"

"Whynotindeed,"agreedPoirot."Imakeyoumyfelicitationonthefact."

SmilingalittlePatrickRedfernsaid:"Thankyou,sir."

"Thatiswhy,asanolderman,averymucholderman,Iventuretoofferyouapieceofadvice."

"Yes,sir?"

"AverywisefriendofmineinthePoliceForcesaidtomeyearsago:'Hercule,myfriend,ifyouwould
knowtranquillity,avoidwomen.'"

PatrickRedfernsaid:"I'mafraidit'sabitlateforthat,sir.I'mmarried,youknow."

"I do know. You wife is a very charming, a very accomplished woman. She is, I think, very fond of
you."

PatrickRedfernsaidsharply:"I'mveryfondofher."

"Ah,"saidHerculePoirot,"Iamdelightedtohearit."

Patrick'sbrowwassuddenlylikethunder."Lookhere,M.Poirot,whatareyougettingat?"

"Lesfemmes."Poirotleanedbackandclosedhiseyes."Iknowsomethingofthem.Theyarecapableof
complicating life unbearably. And the English, they conduct their affairs indescribably. If it was
necessaryforyoutocomehere,M.Redfern,why,inthenameofHeaven,didyoubringyourwife?"

PatrickRedfernsaidangrily:"Idon'tknowwhatyoumean."

HerculePoirotsaidcalmly:"Youknowperfectly.Iamnotsofoolishastoarguewithaninfatuatedman.
Iutteronlythewordofcaution."

"You'vebeenlisteningtothesedamnedscandalmongers.MrsGardener,theBrewsterwoman-nothing
todobuttoclacktheirtonguesallday.Justbecauseawoman'sgood-lookingthey'redownonherlikea
sackofcoals."

HerculePoirotgotup.Hemurmured:"Areyoureallyasyoungasallthat?"Shakinghishead,heleftthe
bar.PatrickRedfernstaredangrilyafterhim.

Hercule Poirot paused in the hall on his way from the dining-room. The doors were open a breath of
soft night air came in. The rain had stopped and the mist had dispersed. It was a fine night again.
HerculePoirotfoundMrsRedferninherfavouriteseatonthecliffledge.Hestoppedbyherandsaid:
"Thisseatisdamp.Youshouldnotsithere.Youwillcatchthechill."

"No,Ishan't.Andwhatdoesitmatteranyway."

"Tscha,tscha,youarenotachild!Youareaneducatedwoman.Youmustlookatthingssensibly."

Shesaidcoldly:"IcanassureyouInevertakecold."

Poirotsaid:"Ithasbeenawetday.Thewindblew,theraincamedown,andthemistwaseverywhereso
thatonecouldnotseethroughit.Ehbien,whatisitlikenow?Themistshaverolledaway,theskyis
clearandupabovethestarsshine.Thatislikelife,Madame."

Christinesaidinalowfiercevoice:"DoyouknowwhatIammostsickofinthisplace?"

"What,Madame?"

"Pity."Shebroughtthewordoutlikeaflickofawhip.Shewenton:"DoyouthinkIdon'tknow?ThatI
can'tsee?Allthetimepeoplearesaying:'PoorMrsRedfern-thatpoorlittlewoman.'AndanywayI'm
notlittle,I'mtall.Theysaylittlebecausetheyaresorryforme.AndIcan'tbearit!"

Cautiously Hercule Poirot spread his handkerchief on the seat and sat down. He said thoughtfully:
"Thereissomethinginthat."

Shesaid:"Thatwoman-"andstopped.

Poirotsaidgravely:"Willyouallowmetotellyousomething,Madame?Somethingthatisastrueasthe
starsaboveus?TheArlenaSmartsorArlenaMarshallsofthisworld-donotcount."

ChristineRedfernsaid:"Nonsense."

"Iassureyou,itistrue.TheirEmpireisofthemomentandforthemoment.Tocount,reallyandtrulyto
countawomanmusthavegoodnessorbrains."

Christinesaidscornfully:"Doyouthinkmencareforgoodnessorbrains?"

Poirotsaidgravely:"Fundamentally,yes."

Christinelaughedshortly.Shesaid:"Idon'tagreewithyou."

Poirotsaid:"Yourhusbandlovesyou,Madame,Iknowit."

"Youcan'tknowit."

"Yes,yes.Iknowit.Ihaveseenhimlookingatyou."

Suddenlyshebrokedown.SheweptstormilyandbitterlyagainstPoirot'saccommodatingshoulder.She
said:"Ican'tbearit...Ican'tbearit..."

Poirotpattedherarm.Hesaidsoothingly:"Patience-onlypatience."

Shesatupandpressedherhandkerchieftohereyes.Shesaidinastifledvoice:"It'sallright.I'mbetter
now.Leaveme.I'd-I'dratherbealone."

Heobeyedandlefthersittingtherewhilehehimselffollowedthewindingpathdowntothehotel.He
wasnearlytherewhenheheardthemurmurofvoices.Heturnedalittleasidefromthepath.Therewas
agapinthebushes.HesawArlenaMarshallandPatrickRedfernbesideher.Heheardtheman'svoice,
withthethrobinitofemotion."I'mcrazyaboutyou-crazy-you'vedrivenmemad...Youdocarea
little-youdocare?"

HesawArlenaMarshall'sface-itwas,hethought,likeasleekhappycat-itwasanimal,nothuman.
Shesaidsoftly:"Ofcourse,Patrickdarling,Iadoreyou.Youknowthat..."

ForonceHerculePoirotcuthiseavesdroppingshort.Hewentbacktothepathandondowntothehotel.

Afigurejoinedhimsuddenly.ItwasCaptainMarshall.Marshallsaid:"Remarkablenight,what?After
thatfoulday."Helookedupatthesky."Looksasthoughweshouldhavefineweathertomorrow."

Chapter4

The morning of the 25th of August dawned bright and cloudless. It was a morning to tempt even an
inveteratesluggardtoriseearly.SeveralpeopleroseearlythatmorningattheJollyRoger.

It was eight o'clock when Linda, sitting at her dressing-table, turned a little thick calf-bound volume
face downwards, sprawling it open, and looked at her own face in the mirror. Her lips were set tight
togetherandthepupilsofhereyescontracted.Shesaidbelowherbreath:"I'lldoit..."

Sheslippedoutofherpyjamasandintoherbathingdress.Overitsheflungonabath-robeandlaced
espadrillesonherfeet.Shewentoutofherroomandalongthepassage.Attheendofitadoorontothe
balconyledtoanoutsidestaircaseleadingdirectlydowntotherocksbelowthehotel.Therewasasmall
ironladderclampedontotherocksleadingdownintothewaterwhichwasusedbymanyofthehotel
guestsforabeforebreakfastdipastakinguplesstimethangoingdowntothemainbathingbeach.As
Lindastarteddownfromthebalconyshemetherfathercomingup.Hesaid:"You'reupearly.Goingto
haveadip?"

Linda nodded. They passed each other. Instead of going on down the rocks, however, Linda skirted
roundthehoteltotheleftuntilshecametothepathdowntothecausewayconnectingthehotelwiththe
mainland.Thetidewashighandthecausewayunderwater,buttheboatthattookhotelguestsacross
wastiedtoalittlejetty.Themaninchargeofitwasabsentatthemoment.Lindagotin,untieditand
rowedherselfacross.

She tied up the boat on the other side, walked up the slope past the hotel garage and along until she
reachedthegeneralshop.Thewomanhadjusttakendowntheshuttersandwasengagedinsweeping
thefloor.ShelookedamazedatthesightofLinda."Well,Miss,youareupearly."

Lindaputherhandinthepocketofherbath-wrapandbroughtoutsomemoney.Sheproceededtomake
herpurchases.

ChristineRedfernwasstandinginLinda'sroomwhenthegirlreturned."Oh,thereyouare,"Christine
exclaimed."Ithoughtyoucouldn'tbereallyupyet."

Lindasaid:"No,I'vebeenbathing."

Noticing the parcel in her hand, Christine said with surprise: "The post has come early today." Linda
flushed.Withherhabitualnervousclumsinesstheparcelslippedfromherhand.Theflimsystringbroke
and some of the contents rolled over the floor. Christine exclaimed: "What have you been buying
candlesfor?"ButtoLinda'sreliefshedidnotwaitforananswer,butwenton,asshehelpedtopickthe
thingsupfromthefloor:"IcameintoaskwhetheryouwouldliketocomewithmetoGullCovethis
morning.Iwanttosketchthere."

Linda accepted with alacrity. In the last few days she had accompanied Christine Redfern more than
onceonsketchingexpeditions.Christinewasamostindifferentartistbutitwaspossiblethatshefound
the excuse of painting a help to her pride since her husband now spent most of his time with Arlena
Marshall.

LindaMarshallhadbeenincreasinglymoroseandbad-tempered.ShelikedbeingwithChristinewho,
intent on her work, spoke very little. It was, Linda felt, nearly as good as being by oneself, and in a
curiouswayshecravedforcompanyofsomekind.Therewasasubtlekindofsympathybetweenher
andtheelderwoman,probablybasedonthefactoftheirmutualdislikeofthesameperson.Christine
said:"I'mplayingtennisattwelve,sowe'dbetterstartfairlyearly.Halfpastten?"

"Right.I'llbeready.Meetyouinthehall."

RosamundDarnley,strollingoutofthedining-roomafteraverylatebreakfast,wascannonedintoby
Lindaasthelattercametearingdownthestairs."Oh!Sorry,MissDarnley."

Rosamundsaid:"Lovelymorning,isn'tit?Onecanhardlybelieveitafteryesterday."

"Iknow.I'mgoingwithMrsRedferntoGullCove.IsaidI'dmeetherathalfpastten.IthoughtIwas
late."

"No,it'sonlytwenty-fivepast."

"Oh!good."

ShewaspantingalittleandRosamundlookedathercuriously."You'renotfeverish,areyou,Linda?"

Thegirl'seyeswereverybrightandshehadavividpatchofcolourineachcheek."Oh!no.I'mnever
feverish."

Rosamundsmiledandsaid:"It'ssuchalovelydayIgotupforbreakfast.UsuallyIhaveitinbed.But
todayIcamedownandfacedeggsandbaconlikeaman."

"Iknow-it'sheavenlyafteryesterday.GullCoveisniceinthemorning.Ishallputalotofoilonand
getreallybrown."

Rosamundsaid:"Yes,GullCoveisniceinthemorning.Andit'smorepeacefulthanthebeachhere."

Lindasaid,rathershyly:"Cometoo."

Rosamundshookherhead.Shesaid:"Notthismorning.I'veotherfishtofry."

ChristineRedferncamedownthestairs.Shewaswearingbeachpyjamasofaloosefloppypatternwith
longsleevesandwidelegs.Theyweremadeofsomegreenmaterialwithayellowdesign.Rosamund's
tongueitchedtotellherthatyellowandgreenwerethemostunbecomingcolourspossibleforherfair,
slightly anaemic complexion. It always annoyed Rosamund when people had no clothes sense. She
thought:"IfIdressedthatgirl,I'dsoonmakeherhusbandsitupandtakenotice.Howevermuchofa
foolArlenais,shedoesknowhowtodress.Thiswretchedgirllooksjustlikeawiltinglettuce."Aloud
shesaid:"Haveanicetime.I'mgoingtoSunnyLedgewithabook."

Hercule Poirot breakfasted in his room as usual of coffee and rolls. The beauty of the morning,
however, tempted him to leave the hotel earlier than usual. It was ten o'clock, at least half an hour
beforehisusualappearance,whenhedescendedtothebathingbeach.Thebeachitselfwasemptysave
foroneperson.

ThatpersonwasArlenaMarshall.Cladinherwhitebathing-dress,thegreenChinesehatonherhead,
she was trying to launch a white wooden float. Poirot came gallantly to the rescue, completely
immersingapairofwhitesuèdeshoesindoingso.Shethankedhimwithoneofthosesidewaysglances
ofhers.Justasshewaspushingoff,shecalledhim."M.Poirot?"

Poirotleapedtothewater'sedge."Madame?"

ArlenaMarshallsaid:"Dosomethingforme,willyou?"

"Anything."

She smiled at him. She murmured: "Don't tell any one where I am." She made her glance appealing.

"Everyonewillfollowmeaboutso.Ijustwantforoncetobealone."Shepaddledoffvigorously.

Poirot walked up the beach. He murmured to himself: "Ah ça, jamais! That, par exemple, I do not
believe."

HedoubtedifArlenaSmart,togiveherstagename,hadeverwantedtobealoneinherlife.Hercule
Poirot, that man of the world, knew better. Arlena Marshall was doubtless keeping a rendezvous, and
Poirothadaverygoodideawithwhom.Orthoughthehad,buttherehefoundhimselfprovedwrong.
ForjustasthefloatroundedthepointofthebayanddisappearedoutofsightPatrickRedfernclosely
followedbyKennethMarshallcamestridingdownthebeachfromthehotel.

MarshallnoddedtoPoirot."Morning,Poirot.Seenmywifeanywhereabout?"

Poirot'sanswerwasdiplomatic."HasMadamethenrisensoearly?"

Marshallsaid:"She'snotinherroom."Helookedupatthesky."Lovelyday.Ishallhaveabatheright
away.Gotalotoftypingtodothismorning."

PatrickRedfern,lessopenly,waslookingupanddownthebeach.HesatdownnearPoirotandprepared
towaitforthearrivalofhislady.Poirotsaid:"AndMadameRedfern?Hasshetoorisenearly?"

PatrickRedfernsaid:"Christine?Oh,she'sgoingoffsketching.She'sratherkeenonartjustnow."He
spokeimpatiently,hismindclearlyelsewhere.AstimepassedhedisplayedhisimpatienceforArlena's
arrivalonlytoocrudely.Ateveryfootstepheturnedaneagerheadtoseewhoitwascomingdownfrom
thehotel.

Disappointmentfolloweddisappointment.FirstMrandMrsGardenercompletewithknittingandbook
and then Miss Brewster arrived. Mrs Gardener, industrious as ever, settled herself in her chair, and
begantoknitvigorouslyandtalkatthesametime."Well,M.Poirot.Thebeachseemsverydesertedthis
morning.Whereiseverybody?"

PoirotrepliedthattheMastermansandtheCowans,twofamilieswithyoungpeopleinthem,hadgone
offonanall-daysailingexcursion.

"Why,thatcertainlydoesmakeallthedifference,nothavingthemaroundlaughingandcallingout.And
onlyonepersonbathing,CaptainMarshall."

Marshallhadjustfinishedhisswim.Hecameupthebeachswinginghistowel."Prettygoodinthesea
thismorning,"hesaid."UnfortunatelyI'vegotalotofworktodo.Mustgoandgetonwithit."

"Why,ifthatisn'ttoobad,CaptainMarshall.Onabeautifuldaylikethis,too.My,wasn'tyesterdaytoo
terrible? I said to Mr Gardener that if the weather was going to continue like that, we'd just have to
leave. It's so melancholy, you know, with the mist right up around the island. Gives you a kind of
ghostly feeling, but then I've always been very susceptible to atmosphere ever since I was a child.
Sometimes,youknow,I'dfeelIjusthadtoscreamandscream.Andthat,ofcourse,wasverytryingto
myparents.Butmymotherwasalovelywomanandshesaidtomyfather,'Sinclair,ifthechildfeels
likethat,wemustletherdoit.Screamingisherwayofexpressingherself.'Andofcoursemyfather
agreed. He was devoted to my mother and just did everything she said. They were a perfectly lovely
couple,asI'msureMrGardenerwillagree.Theywereaveryremarkablecouple,weren'tthey,Odell?"

"Yes,darling,"saidMrGardener.

"Andwhere'syourgirlthismorning,CaptainMarshall?"

"Linda?Idon'tknow.Iexpectshe'smooningroundtheislandsomewhere."

"Youknow,CaptainMarshall,thatgirllookskindofpeakytome.Sheneedsfeedingupandvery,very
sympathetictreatment."

KennethMarshallsaidcurtly:"Linda'sallright."

He went up to the hotel. Patrick Redfern did not go into the water. He sat about, frankly looking up
towardsthehotel.Hewasbeginningtolookashadesulky.MissBrewsterwasbriskandcheerfulwhen
shearrived.

Theconversationwasmuchasithadbeenonapreviousmorning.GentleyappingfromMrsGardener
andshortstaccatobarksfromMissBrewster.Sheremarkedatlast:"Beachseemsabitempty.Everyone
offonexcursions?"

Mrs Gardener said: "I was saying to Mr Gardener only this morning that we simply must make an
excursiontoDartmoor.It'squitenearandtheassociationsareallsoromantic.AndI'dliketoseethat
convictprison-Princetown,isn'tit?Ithinkwe'dbetterfixuprightawayandgotheretomorrow,Odell."

MrGardenersaid:"Yes,darling."

HerculePoirotsaidtoMissBrewster:"Youaregoingtobathe,Mademoiselle?"

"Oh, I've had my morning dip before breakfast. Somebody nearly brained me with a bottle, too.
Chuckeditoutofoneofthehotelwindows."

"Now that's a very dangerous thing to do," said Mrs Gardener. "I had a very dear friend who got
concussionbyatoothpastetinfallingonhiminthestreet-thrownoutofathirty-fifthstoreywindowit
was. A most dangerous thing to do. He got very substantial damages." She began to hunt among her
skeinsofwool."Why,Odell,Idon'tbelieveI'vegotthatsecondshadeofpurplewool.It'sinthesecond
drawerofthebureauinourbedroomoritmightbethethird."

"Yes,darling."

Mr Gardener rose obediently and departed on his search. Mrs Gardener went on: "Sometimes, you
know,Idothinkthatmaybewe'regoingalittletoofarnowadays.Whatwithallourgreatdiscoveries
andalltheelectricalwavestheremustbeintheatmosphere,Idothinkitleadstoagreatdealofmental
unrestandIjustfeelthatmaybethetimehascomeforanewmessagetohumanity.Idon'tknow,M.
Poirot,ifyou'veeverinterestedyourselfinthepropheciesfromthePyramids."

"Ihavenot,"saidPoirot.

"Well,Idoassureyouthatthey'revery,veryinteresting.WhatwithMoscowbeingexactlyathousand
milesdueNorthof-nowwhatwasit?-WoulditbeNineveh?-butanywayyoutakeacircleanditjust
showsthemostsurprisingthingsandonecanjustseethattheremusthavebeenspecialguidance,and
thatthoseancientEgyptianscouldn'thavethoughtofwhattheydidallbythemselves.Andwhenyou've
goneintothetheoryofthenumbersandtheirrepetition,why,it'salljustsoclearthatIcan'tseehowany
onecandoubtthetruthofitforamoment."MrsGardenerpausedtriumphantlybutneitherPoirotnor
MissEmilyBrewsterfeltmovedtoarguethepoint.

Poirotstudiedhiswhitesuedeshoesruefully.EmilyBrewstersaid:"Youbeenpaddlingwithyourshoes
on,M.Poirot?"

Poirotmurmured:"Alas!Iwasprecipitate."

EmilyBrewsterloweredhervoice.Shesaid:"Where'sourVampthismorning?She'slate."

Mrs Gardener, raising her eyes from her knitting to study Patrick Redfern, murmured: "He looks just
likeathundercloud.Oh!Dear,Idofeelthewholethingissuchapity.IwonderwhatCaptainMarshall
thinksaboutitall.He'ssuchanicequietman-veryBritishandunassuming.Youjustneverknowwhat
he'sthinkingaboutthings."

PatrickRedfernroseandbegantopaceupanddownthebeach.MrsGardenermurmured:"Justlikea
tiger."

Threepairsofeyeswatchedhispacing.TheirscrutinyseemedtomakePatrickRedfernuncomfortable.
Helookedmorethansulkynow.Helookedinaflamingtemper.Inthestillnessafaintchimefromthe
mainlandcametotheirears.EmilyBrewstermurmured:"Wind'sfromtheEastagain.That'sagoodsign
whenyoucanhearthechurchclockstrike."

NobodysaidanymoreuntilMrGardenerreturnedwithaskeinofbrilliantmagentawool."Why,Odell,
whatalongtimeyouhavebeen!"

"Sorry,darling,butyouseeitwasn'tinyourbureauatall.Ifounditonyourwardrobeshelf."

"Why, isn't that too extraordinary? I could have declared I put it in that bureau drawer. I do think it's
fortunate that I've never had to give evidence in a court case. I'd just worry myself to death in case I
wasn'trememberingathingjustright."

MrGardenersaid:"MrsGardenerisveryconscientious."

It was some five minutes later that Patrick Redfern said: "Going for your row this morning, Miss
Brewster?MindifIcomewithyou?"

MissBrewstersaidheartily:"Delighted."

"Let'srowrightroundtheisland,"proposedRedfern.

MissBrewsterconsultedherwatch."Shallwehavetime?Oh,yes,it'snothalfpastelevenyet.Comeon
then,let'sstart."

They went down the beach together. Patrick Redfern took first turn at the oars. He rowed with a
powerfulstroke.Theboatleaptforward.EmilyBrewstersaidapprovingly:"Good.We'llseeifyoucan

keepthatup."

Helaughedintohereyes.Hisspiritshadimproved."Ishallprobablyhaveafinecropofblistersbythe
timewegetback."Hethrewuphisheadtossingbackhisblackhair."God,it'samarvellousday!Ifyou
dogetarealsummer'sdayinEnglandthere'snothingtobeatit."

EmilyBrewstersaidgruffly:"Can'tbeatEnglandanywayinmyopinion.Onlyplaceintheworldtolive
in."

"I'mwithyou."

Theyroundedthepointofthebaytothewestandrowedunderthecliffs.PatrickRedfernlookedup.
"AnyoneonSunnyLedgethismorning?Yes,there'sasunshade.Whoisit,Iwonder?"

EmilyBrewstersaid:"It'sMissDarnley,Ithink.She'sgotoneofthoseJapaneseaffairs."

Theyrowedupthecoast.Ontheirleftwastheopensea.EmilyBrewstersaid:"Weoughttohavegone
theotherwayround.Thiswaywe'vegotthecurrentagainstus."

"There'sverylittlecurrent.I'veswumouthereandnotnoticedit.Anywaywecouldn'tgotheotherway.
Thecausewaywouldn'tbecovered."

"Dependsonthetide,ofcourse.ButtheyalwayssaythatbathingfromPixyCoveisdangerousifyou
swimouttoofar."

Patrick was rowing vigorously still. At the same time he was scanning the cliffs attentively. Emily
Brewsterthoughtsuddenly:"He'slookingfortheMarshallwoman.That'swhyhewantedtocomewith
me.Shehadn'tshownupthismorningandhe'swonderingwhatshe'supto.Probablyshe'sdoneiton
purpose.Justamoveinthegame-tomakehimkeener."

TheyroundedthejuttingpointofrocktothesouthofthelittlebaynamedPixy'sCove.Itwasquitea
small cove, with rocks dotted fantastically about the beach. It faced nearly northwest and the cliff
overhungitagooddeal.Itwasafavouriteplaceforpicnicteas.Inthemorning,whenthesunwasoffit,
itwasnotpopularandtherewasseldomanyonethere.Onthisoccasion,however,therewasafigureon
thebeach.PatrickRedfern'sstrokecheckedandrecovered.Hesaidinawould-becasualtone:"Hullo,
who'sthat?"

MissBrewstersaiddrily:"ItlookslikeMrsMarshall."

PatrickRedfernsaidasthoughstruckbytheidea:"Soitdoes."

Healteredhiscourse,rowinginshore.EmilyBrewsterprotested."Wedon'twanttolandhere,dowe?"

PatrickRedfernsaidquickly:"Oh,plentyoftime."

Hiseyeslookedintohers-somethinginthem,anaïvepleadinglookratherlikethatofanimportunate
dog,silencedEmilyBrewster.Shethoughttoherself:"Poorboy,he'sgotitbadly.Oh,well,itcan'tbe
helped.He'llgetoveritintime."

Theboatwasfastapproachingthebeach.ArlenaMarshallwaslyingfacedownwardsontheshingleher
armsoutstretched.Thewhitefloatwasdrawnupnearby.SomethingwaspuzzlingtoEmilyBrewster.It
was as though she was looking at something she knew quite well but which was in one respect quite
wrong.Itwasaminuteortwobeforeitcametoher.ArlenaMarshall'sattitudewastheattitudeofasun-
bather.Sohadshelainmanyatimeonthebeachbythehotel,herbronzedbodyoutstretchedandthe
greencardboardhatprotectingherheadandneck.

But there was no sun on Pixy's Beach and there would be none for some hours yet. The overhanging
cliffprotectedthebeachfromthesuninthemorning.AvaguefeelingofapprehensioncameoverEmily
Brewster.

Theboatgroundedontheshingle.PatrickRedferncalled:"Hullo,Arlena."

And then Emily Brewster's foreboding took definite shape. For the recumbent figure did not move or
answer.

Emily saw Patrick Redfern's face change. He jumped out of the boat and she followed him. They
dragged the boat ashore, then set off up the beach to where that white figure lay so still and
unresponsivenearthebottomofthecliff.PatrickRedferngottherefirstbutEmilyBrewsterwasclose
behindhim.

Shesaw,asoneseesinadream,thebronzedlimbs,thewhitebacklessbathingdress-theredcurlof
hair escaping under the jade-green hat - saw something else too - the curious unnatural angle of the
outspreadarms.Felt,inthatminute,thatthisbodyhadnotlaindownbuthadbeenthrown...Sheheard

Patrick'svoice-amerefrightenedwhisper.Hekneltdownbesidethatstillform-touchedthehand-the
arm...Hesaidinalowshudderingwhisper:"MyGod,she'sdead..."

Andthen,asheliftedthehatalittle,peeredattheneck:"Oh,God,she'sbeenstrangled...murdered."

Itwasoneofthosemomentswhentimestandsstill.WithanoddfeelingofunrealityEmilyBrewster
heardherselfsaying:"Wemustn'ttouchanything...Notuntilthepolicecome."

Redfern'sanswercamemechanically:"No-no-ofcoursenot."Andtheninadeepagonizedwhisper:
"Who? Who? Who could have done that to Arlena. She can't have - have been murdered. It can't be
true!" Emily Brewster shook her head, not knowing quite what to answer. She heard him draw in his
breath-heardthelowcontrolledrageinhisvoiceashesaid:"MyGod,ifIgetmyhandsonthefoul
fiendwhodidthis."

EmilyBrewstershivered.Herimaginationpicturedalurkingmurdererbehindoneoftheboulders.Then
sheheardhervoicesaying:"Whoeverdiditwouldn'tbehangingabout.Wemustgetthepolice.Perhaps
-"shehesitated-"oneofusoughttostaywith-withthebody."

PatrickRedfernsaid:"I'llstay."

Emily Brewster drew a little sigh of relief. She was not the kind of woman who would ever admit to
feeling fear, but she was secretly thankful not to have to remain on the beach alone with the faint
possibilityofahomicidalmaniaclingeringcloseathand.Shesaid:"Good.I'llbeasquickasIcan.I'll
gointheboat.Can'tfacethatladder.There'saconstableatLeathercombeBay."

PatrickRedfernmurmuredmechanically:"Yes-yes,whateveryouthinkbest."

Assherowedvigorouslyawayfromtheshore,EmilyBrewstersawPatrickdropdownbesidethedead
womanandburyhisheadinhishands.Therewassomethingsoforlornabouthisattitudethatshefeltan
unwillingsympathy.Helookedlikeadogwatchingbyitsdeadmaster.Neverthelessherrobustcommon
sensewassayingtoher:"Bestthingthatcouldhavehappenedforhimandhiswife-andforMarshall
andthechild-butIdon'tsupposehecanseeitthatway,poordevil."

EmilyBrewsterwasawomanwhocouldalwaysrisetoanemergency.

Chapter5

Inspector Colgate stood back by the cliff waiting for the police surgeon to finish with Arlena's body.
PatrickRedfernandEmilyBrewsterstoodalittletooneside.DrNeasdonrosefromhiskneeswitha
quickdeftmovement.Hesaid:"Strangled-andbyaprettypowerfulpairofhands.Shedoesn'tseemto
haveputupmuchofastruggle.Takenbysurprise.H'm-well-nastybusiness."

EmilyBrewsterhadtakenonelookandthenquicklyavertedhereyesfromthedeadwoman'sface.That
horriblepurpleconvulsedcountenance.InspectorColgateasked:"Whatabouttimeofdeath?"

Neasdon said irritably: "Can't say definitely without knowing more about her. Lots of factors to take
intoaccount.Let'ssee,it'squartertoonenow.Whattimewasitwhenyoufoundher?"

PatrickRedfern,towhomthequestionwasaddressed,saidvaguely:"Sometimebeforetwelve.Idon't
knowexactly."

EmilyBrewstersaid:"Itwasexactlyaquartertotwelvewhenwefoundshewasdead."

"Ah,andyoucamehereintheboat.Whattimewasitwhenyoucaughtsightofherlyinghere?"

EmilyBrewsterconsidered."Ishouldsayweroundedthepointaboutfiveorsixminutesearlier."She
turnedtoRedfern."Doyouagree?"

Hesaidvaguely:"Yes-yes-aboutthat,Ishouldthink."

Neasdon asked the Inspector in a low voice: "This the husband? Oh! I see, my mistake. Thought it
mightbe.Heseemsratherdoneinoverit."Heraisedhisvoiceofficially."Let'sputitattwentyminutes
totwelve.Shecannothavebeenkilledverylongbeforethat.Saybetweenthenandeleven-quarterto
elevenattheearliestoutsidelimit."

The Inspector shut his notebook with a snap. "Thanks," he said. "That ought to help us considerably.
Putsitwithinverynarrowlimits-lessthananhouralltold."HeturnedtoMissBrewster."Nowthen,I
thinkit'sallclearsofar.You'reMissEmilyBrewsterandthisisMrPatrickRedfern,bothstayingatthe
JollyRogerHotel.Youidentifythisladyasafellowguestofyoursatthehotel-thewifeofCaptain
Marshall?"

EmilyBrewsternodded.

"Then, I think," said Inspector Colgate, "that we'll adjourn to the hotel." He beckoned to a constable.

"Hawkes,youstayhereanddon'tallowanyoneontothiscove.I'llbesendingPhillipsalonglater."

"Uponmysoul!"saidColonelWeston."Thisisasurprisefindingyouhere!"

HerculePoirotrepliedtotheChiefConstable'sgreetinginasuitablemanner.Hemurmured:"Ah,yes,
manyyearshavepassedsincethataffairatStLoo."

"Ihaven'tforgottenit,though,"saidWeston."Biggestsurpriseofmylife.ThethingI'venevergotover,
though, is the way you got round me about that funeral business. Absolutely unorthodox, the whole
thing.Fantastic!"

"Toutdemême,monColonel,"saidPoirot."Itproducedthegoods,diditnot?"

"Er-well,possibly.Idaresayweshouldhavegottherebymoreorthodoxmethods."

"Itispossible,"agreedPoirotdiplomatically.

"And here you are in the thick of another murder," said the Chief Constable. "Any ideas about this
one?"

Poirotsaidslowly:"Nothingdefinite-butitisinteresting."

"Goingtogiveusahand?"

"Youwouldpermitit,yes?"

"My dear fellow, delighted to have you. Don't know enough yet to decide whether it's a case for
Scotland Yard or not. Offhand it looks as though our murderer must be pretty well within a limited
radius. On the other hand, all these people are strangers down here. To find out about them and their
motivesyou'vegottogotoLondon."

Poirotsaid:"Yes,thatistrue."

"First of all," said Weston, "we've got to find out who last saw the dead woman alive. Chambermaid

took her breakfast at nine. Girl in the bureau downstairs saw her pass through the lounge and go out
aboutten."

"Myfriend,"saidPoirot,"IsuspectthatIamthemanyouwant."

"Yousawherthismorning?Whattime?"

"Atfiveminutespastten.Iassistedhertolaunchherfloatfromthebathingbeach."

"Andshewentoffonit?"

"Yes."

"Alone?"

"Yes."

"Didyouseewhichdirectionshetook?"

"Shepaddledroundthatpointtheretotheright."

"InthedirectionofPixy'sCove,thatis?"

"Yes."

"Andthetimethenwas-"

"Ishouldsaysheactuallyleftthebeachataquarterpastten."

Westonconsidered."Thatfitsinwellenough.Howlongshouldyousaythatitwouldtakehertopaddle
roundtotheCove?"

"Ah,me,Iamnotanexpert.Idonotgoinboatsorexposemyselfonfloats.Perhapshalfanhour?"

"That'saboutwhatIthink,"saidtheColonel."Shewouldn'tbehurrying,Ipresume.Well,ifshearrived
thereataquartertoeleven,thatfitsinwellenough."

"Atwhattimedoesyourdoctorsuggestshedied?"

"Oh,Neasdondoesn'tcommithimself.He'sacautiouschap.Aquartertoelevenishisearliestoutside
limit."

Poirotnodded.Hesaid:"ThereisoneotherpointthatImustmention.AssheleftMrsMarshallasked
menottosayIhadseenher."

Westonstared.Hesaid:"H'm,that'srathersuggestive,isn'tit?"

Poirotmurmured:"Yes,Ithoughtsomyself."

Westontuggedathismoustache.Hesaid:"Lookhere,Poirot.You'reamanoftheworld.Whatsortofa
womanwasMrsMarshall?"

AfaintsmilecametoPoirot'slips.Heasked:"Haveyounotalreadyheard?"

TheChiefConstablesaiddrily:"Iknowwhatthewomensayofher.Theywould.Howmuchtruthis
thereinit?WasshehavinganaffairwiththisfellowRedfern?"

"Ishouldsayundoubtedlyyes."

"Hefollowedherdownhere,eh?"

"Thereisreasontosupposeso."

"Andthehusband?Didheknowaboutit?Whatdidhefeel?"

Poirotsaidslowly:"ItisnoteasytoknowwhatCaptainMarshallfeelsorthinks.Heisamanwhodoes
notdisplayhisemotions."

Westonsaidsharply:"Buthemighthave'em,allthesame."

Poirotnodded.Hesaid:"Oh,yes,hemighthavethem."

TheChiefConstablewasbeingastactfulasitwasinhisnaturetobewithMrsCastle.MrsCastlewas
theownerandproprietressoftheJollyRogerHotel.Shewasawomanoffortyoddwithalargebust,
rather violent henna-red hair, and an almost offensively refined manner of speech. She was saying:
"That such a thing should happen in my Hotel! Ay am sure it has always been the quayettest place
imaginable! The people who come here are such nice people. No rowdiness - if you know what Ay
mean.NotlikethebighotelsinStLoo."

"Quite so, Mrs Castle," said Colonel Weston. "But accidents happen in the best-regulated - er -
households."

"Ay'msureInspectorColgatewillbearmeout,"saidMrsCastle,sendinganappealingglancetowards
theInspectorwhowassittinglookingveryofficial."Astothelaycensinglaws.Ayammostparticular.
Therehasneverbeenanyirregularity!"

"Quite,quite,"saidWeston."We'renotblamingyouinanyway,MrsCastle."

"Butitdoessoreflectuponanestablishment,"saidMrsCastle,herlargebustheaving."WhenAythink
ofthenoisygapingcrowds.Ofcoursenoonebuthotelguestsareallowedupontheisland-butallthe
sametheywillnodoubtcomeandpointfromtheshore."Sheshuddered.

InspectorColgatesawhischancetoturntheconversationtogoodaccount.Hesaid:"Inregardtothat
pointyou'vejustraised.Accesstotheisland.Howdoyoukeeppeopleoff?"

"Ayammostparticularaboutit."

"Yes, but what measures do you take? What keeps 'em off? Holiday crowds in summer-time swarm
everywherelikeflies."

Mrs Castle shuddered slightly again. She said: "That is the fault of the charabancs. Ay have seen
eighteenatonetimeparkedbythequayatLeathercombeBay.Eighteen!"

"Justso.Howdoyoustopthemcominghere?"

"Therearenotices.Andthen,ofcourse,athightide,wearecutoff."

"Yes,butatlowtide?"

MrsCastleexplained.Attheislandendofthecausewaytherewasagate.Thissaid,"JollyRogerHotel.
Private.NoentryexcepttoHotel."Therocksrosesheeroutoftheseaoneithersidethereandcouldnot
beclimbed.

"Any one could take a boat, though, I suppose, and row round and land on one of the coves? You
couldn'tstopthemdoingthat.There'sarightofaccesstotheforeshore.Youcan'tstoppeoplebeingon
thebetweenlowandhighwatermark."

Butthis,itseemed,veryseldomhappened.BoatscouldbeobtainedatLeathercombeBayharbourbut
fromthereitwasalongrowtotheislandandtherewasalsoastrongcurrentjustoutsideLeathercombe
Bayharbour.Therewerenotices,too,onbothGullCoveandPixyCovebytheladder.Sheaddedthat
GeorgeorWilliamwasalwaysonthelookoutatthebathingbeachproperwhichwasthenearesttothe
mainland.

"WhoareGeorgeandWilliam?"

"Georgeattendstothebathingbeach.Heseestothecostumesandthefloats.Williamisthegardener.
Hekeepsthepathsandmarksthetenniscourtsandallthat."

ColonelWestonsaidimpatiently:"Well,thatseemsclearenough.That'snottosaythatnobodycould
have come from outside, but anyone who did so took a risk - the risk of being noticed. We'll have a
wordwithGeorgeandWilliampresently."

MrsCastlesaid:"Aydonotcarefortrippers-averynoisycrowdandtheyfrequentlyleaveorangepeel
andcigaretteboxesonthecausewayanddownbytherocks,butallthesameAyneverthoughtoneof
them would turn out to be a murderer. Oh, dear! It really is too terrible for words. A lady like Mrs
Marshall murdered and what's so horrible, actually - er - strangled..." Mrs Castle could hardly bring
herselftosaytheword.Shebroughtitoutwiththeutmostreluctance.

InspectorColgatesaidsoothingly:"Yes,it'sanastybusiness."

"Andthenewspapers.Myhotelinthenewspapers!"

Colgatesaid,withafaintgrin:"Oh,well,it'sadvertisement,inaway."

MrsCastledrewherselfup.Herbustheavedandwhale-bonecreaked.Shesaidicily:"Thatisnotthe
kindofadvertisementAycareabout,MrColgate."

ColonelWestonbrokein.Hesaid:"Nowthen,MrsCastle,you'vegotalistoftheguestsstayinghere,as
Iaskedyou?"

"Yes,sir."

ColonelWestonporedoverthehotelregister.HelookedovertoPoirotwhomadetheforthmemberof
the group assembled in the Manageress's office. "This is where you'll probably be able to help us
presently."Hereaddownthenames."Whataboutservants?"

MrsCastleproducedasecondlist."Therearefourchambermaids,theheadwaiterandthreeunderhim
andHenryinthebar.Williamdoesthebootsandshoes.Thenthere'sthecookandtwounderher."

"Whataboutthewaiters?"

"Well,sir,Albert,theMaterDotel,cametomefromtheVincentatPlymouth.Hewasthereforsome
years.Thethreeunderhimhavebeenhereforthreeyears-oneofthemfour.Theyareverynicelads
andmostrespectable.Henryhasbeenheresincethehotelopened.Heisquiteaninstitution."

Westonnodded.HesaidtoColgate:"Seemsallright.You'llcheckuponthem,ofcourse.Thankyou,
MrsCastle."

"Thatwillbeallyourequire?"

"Forthemoment,yes."

MrsCastlecreakedoutoftheroom.Westonsaid:"FirstthingtodoistotalkwithCaptainMarshall."

KennethMarshallsatquietlyansweringthequestionsputtohim.Apartfromaslighthardeningofhis
featureshewasquitecalm.Seenhere,withthesunlightfallingonhimfromthewindow,yourealized
thathewasahandsomeman.Thosestraightfeatures,thesteadyblueeyes,thefirmmouth.Hisvoice
was low and pleasant. Colonel Weston was saying: "I quite understand, Captain Marshall, what a
terrible shock this must be to you. But you realize that I am anxious to get the fullest information as
soonaspossible."

Marshallnodded.Hesaid:"Iquiteunderstand.Carryon."

"MrsMarshallwasyoursecondwife?"

"Yes."

"Andyouhavebeenmarried,howlong?"

"Justoverfouryears."

"Andhernamebeforeshewasmarried?"

"HelenStuart.HeractingnamewasArlenaStuart."

"Shewasanactress?"

"SheappearedinRevueandmusicalshows."

"Didshegiveupthestageonhermarriage?"

"No.Shecontinuedtoappear.Sheactuallyretiredonlyaboutayearandahalfago."

"Wasthereanyspecialreasonforherretirement?"

KennethMarshallappearedtoconsider."No,"hesaid."Shesimplysaidthatshewastiredofitall."

"Itwasnot-er-inobediencetoyourspecialwish?"

Marshallraisedhiseyebrows."Oh,no."

"Youwerequitecontentforhertocontinueactingafteryourmarriage?"

Marshallsmiledveryfaintly."Ishouldhavepreferredhertogiveitup-that,yes.ButImadenofuss
aboutit."

"Itcausednopointofdissensionbetweenyou?"

"Certainlynot.Mywifewasfreetopleaseherself."

"And-themarriagewasahappyone?"

KennethMarshallsaidcoldly:"Certainly."

Colonel Weston paused a minute. Then he said: "Captain Marshall, have you any idea who could
possiblyhavekilledyourwife?"

Theanswercamewithouttheleasthesitation."Nonewhatsoever."

"Hadsheanyenemies?"

"Possibly."

"Ah?"

Theotherwentonquickly.Hesaid:"Don'tmisunderstandme,sir.Mywifewasanactress.Shewasalso
a very good-looking woman. In both capacities she aroused a certain amount of envy and jealousy.
Therewerefussesoverparts-therewasrivalryfromotherwomen-therewasagooddeal,shallwesay,
ofgeneralenvy,hatred,malice,andalluncharitableness!Butthatisnottosaythattherewasanyone
whowascapableofdeliberatelymurderingher."

HerculePoirotspokeforthefirsttime.Hesaid:"Whatyoureallymean.Monsieur,isthatherenemies
weremostly,orentirely,women?"

KennethMarshalllookedacrossathim."Yes,"hesaid."Thatisso."

TheChiefConstablesaid:"Youknowofnomanwhohadagrudgeagainsther?"

"No."

"Wasshepreviouslyacquaintedwithanyoneinthishotel?"

"IbelieveshehadmetMrRedfernbefore-atsomecocktailparty.Nobodyelsetomyknowledge."

Westonpaused.Heseemedtodeliberateastowhethertopursuethesubject.Thenhedecidedagainst
thatcourse.Hesaid:"Wenowcometothismorning.Whenwasthelasttimeyousawyourwife?"

Marshallpausedaminute,thenhesaid:"Ilookedinonmywaydowntobreakfast-"

"Excuseme,youoccupiedseparaterooms?"

"Yes."

"Andwhattimewasthat?"

"Itmusthavebeenaboutnineo'clock."

"Whatwasshedoing?"

"Shewasopeningherletters."

"Didshesayanything?"

"Nothingofanyparticularinterest.Justgood-morning-andthatitwasaniceday-thatsortofthing."

"Whatwashermanner?Unusualatall?"

"No,perfectlynormal."

"Shedidnotseemexcited,ordepressed,orupsetinanyway?"

"Icertainlydidn'tnoticeit."

HerculePoirotsaid:"Didshementionatallwhatwerethecontentsofherletters?"

AgainafaintsmileappearedonMarshall'slips.Hesaid:"AsfarasIcanremember,shesaidtheywere
allbills."

"Yourwifebreakfastedinbed?"

"Yes."

"Didshealwaysdothat?"

"Invariably."

HerculePoirotsaid:"Whattimedidsheusuallycomedownstairs?"

"Oh!betweentenandeleven-usuallynearereleven."

Poirotwenton:"Ifsheweretodescendatteno'clockexactly,thatwouldberathersurprising?"

"Yes.Shewasn'toftendownasearlyasthat."

"Butshewasthismorning.Whydoyouthinkthatwas,CaptainMarshall?"

Marshallsaidunemotionally:"Haven'ttheleastidea.Mighthavebeentheweather-extrafinedayand
allthat."

"Youmissedher?"

KennethMarshall shifted alittle in hischair. He said: "Lookedin on heragain after breakfast. Room
wasempty.Iwasabitsurprised."

"AndthenyoucamedownonthebeachandaskedmeifIhadseenher?"

"Er-yes."Headdedwithafaintemphasisinhisvoice:"Andyousaidyouhadn't..."

The innocent eyes of Hercule Poirot did not falter. Gently, he caressed his large and flamboyant
moustache.

Westonsaid:"Hadyouanyspecialreasonforwantingtofindyourwifethismorning?"

MarshallshiftedhisglanceamiablytotheChiefConstable.Hesaid:"No,justwonderedwhereshewas,
that'sall."

Weston paused. He moved his chair slightly. His voice fell into a different key. He said: "Just now,
CaptainMarshall,youmentionedthatyourwifehadapreviousacquaintancewithMrPatrickRedfern.
HowwelldidyourwifeknowMrRedfern?"

Kenneth Marshall said: "Mind if I smoke?" He felt through his pockets. "Dash! I've mislaid my pipe
somewhere."

Poirotofferedhimacigarettewhichheaccepted.Lightingit,hesaid:"YouwereaskingaboutRedfern.
Mywifetoldmeshehadcomeacrosshimatsomecocktailpartyorother."

"Hewas,then,justacasualacquaintance?"

"Ibelieveso."

"Since then -" the Chief Constable paused. "I understand that that acquaintanceship has ripened into
somethingrathercloser."

Marshallsaidsharply:"Youunderstandthat,doyou?Whotoldyouso?"

"Itisthecommongossipofthehotel."

ForamomentMarshall'seyeswenttoHerculePoirot.Theydweltonhimwithakindofcoldanger.He
said:"Hotelgossipisusuallyatissueoflies!"

"Possibly.ButIgatherthatMrRedfernandyourwifegavesomegroundsforthegossip."

"Whatgrounds?"

"Theywereconstantlyineachother'scompany."

"Isthatall?"

"Youdonotdenythatthatwasso?"

"Mayhavebeen.Ireallydidn'tnotice."

"Youdidnot-excuseme,CaptainMarshall-objecttoyourwife'sfriendshipwithMrRedfern?"

"Iwasn'tinthehabitofcriticizingmywife'sconduct."

"Youdidnotprotestorobjectinanyway?"

"Certainlynot."

"Noteventhoughitwasbecomingasubjectofscandalandanestrangementwasgrowingupbetween
MrRedfernandhiswife?"

KennethMarshallsaidcoldly:"ImindmyownbusinessandIexpectotherpeopletomindtheirs.Idon't
listentogossipandtittletattle."

"Youwon'tdenythatMrRedfernadmiredyourwife?"

"Heprobablydid.Mostmendid.Shewasaverybeautifulwoman."

"Butyouyourselfwerepersuadedthattherewasnothingseriousintheaffair?"

"Ineverthoughtaboutit,Itellyou."

"Andsupposewehaveawitnesswhocantestifythattheywereontermsofthegreatestintimacy?"

Again those blue eyes went to Hercule Poirot. Again an expression of dislike showed on that usually
impassive face. Marshall said: "If you want to listen to tales, listen to 'em. My wife's dead and can't
defendherself."

"Youmeanthatyou,personally,don'tbelievethem?"

ForthefirsttimeafaintdewofsweatwasobservableonMarshall'sbrow.Hesaid:"Idon'tproposeto
believeanythingofthekind."Hewenton:"Aren'tyougettingagoodwayfromtheessentialsofthis
business?WhatIbelieveordon'tbelieveissurelynotrelevanttotheplainfactofmurder?"

Hercule Poirot answered before either of the others could speak. He said: "You do not comprehend,
Captain Marshall. There is no such thing as a plain fact of murder. Murder springs, nine times out of
ten,outofthecharacterandcircumstancesofthemurderedperson.Becausethevictimwasthekindof
personheorshewas,thereforewasheorshemurdered!Untilwecanunderstandfullyandcompletely
exactlywhatkindofpersonArlenaMarshallwas,weshallnotbeabletoseeclearlyexactlythekindof
personwhomurderedher.Fromthatspringsthenecessityofourquestions."

MarshallturnedtotheChiefConstable.Hesaid:"Thatyourview,too?"

Westonboggledalittle.Hesaid:"Well,uptoapoint-thatistosay-"

Marshallgaveashortlaugh.Hesaid:"Thoughtyouwouldn'tagree.ThischaracterstuffisM.Poirot's
specialty,Ibelieve."

Poirotsaid,smiling:"Youcanatleastcongratulateyourselfonhavingdonenothingtoassistme!"

"Whatdoyoumean?"

"Whathaveyoutoldusaboutyourwife?Exactlynothingatall.Youhavetoldusonlywhateveryone
couldseeforthemselves.Thatshewasbeautifulandadmired.Nothingmore."

KennethMarshallshruggedhisshoulders.Hesaidsimply:"You'recrazy."HelookedtowardstheChief
Constableandsaidwithemphasis:"Anythingelse,sir,thatyou'dlikemetotellyou?"

"Yes,CaptainMarshall,yourownmovementsthismorning,please."

KennethMarshallnodded.Hehadclearlyexpectedthis.Hesaid:"Ibreakfasteddownstairsaboutnine
o'clockasusualandreadthepaper.AsItoldyouIwentuptomywife'sroomafterwardsandfoundshe
hadgoneout.Icamedowntothebeach,sawM.Poirotandaskedifhehadseenher.ThenIhadaquick
batheandwentuptothehotelagain.Itwasthen,letmesee,abouttwentytotoeleven-yes,justabout
that.Isawtheclockinthelounge.Itwasjustaftertwentyminutesto.Iwentuptomyroom,butthe
chambermaidhadn'tquitefinishedit.Iaskedhertofinishasquicklyasshecould.Ihadsomelettersto
typewhichIwantedtogetoffbythepost.IwentdownstairsagainandhadawordortwowithHenryin
thebar.Iwentupagaintomyroomattenminutestoeleven.ThereItypedmyletters.Itypeduntilten
minutestotwelve.IthenchangedintotenniskitasIhadadatetoplaytennisattwelve.We'dbooked
thecourtthedaybefore."

"Whowaswe?"

"MrsRedfern,MissDarnley,MrGardenerandmyself.Icamedownattwelveo'clockandwentupto
thecourt.MissDarnleywasthereandMrGardener.MrsRedfernarrivedafewminuteslater.Weplayed
tennisforanhour.JustaswecameintothehotelafterwardsI-I-gotthenews."

"Thankyou.CaptainMarshall.Justasamatterofform,isthereanyonewhocancorroboratethefact
thatyouweretypinginyourroombetween-er-tenminutestoelevenandtenminutestotwelve?"

KennethMarshallsaidwithafaintsmile:"HaveyougotsomeideathatIkilledmyownwife?Letme
seenow.Thechambermaidwasaboutdoingtherooms.Shemusthaveheardthetypewritergoing.And
thentherearethelettersthemselves.WithallthisupsetIhaven'tpostedthem.Ishouldimaginetheyare
asgoodevidenceasanything."

Hetookthreelettersfromhispocket.Theywereaddressed,butnotstamped.Hesaid:"Theircontents,
by the way, are strictly confidential. But when it's a case of murder, one is forced to trust in the
discretionofthepolice.Theycontainlistsoffiguresandvariousfinancialstatements.Ithinkyouwill
find that if you put one of your men on to type them out, he won't do it in much under an hour." He
paused."Satisfied,Ihope?"

Westonsaidsmoothly:"Itisnoquestionofsuspicion.Everyoneontheislandwillbeaskedtoaccount
forhisorhermovementsbetweenaquartertoelevenandtwentyminutestotwelvethismorning."

KennethMarshallsaid:"Quite."

Westonsaid:"Onemorething,CaptainMarshall.Doyouknowanythingaboutthewayyourwifewas
likelytohavedisposedofanypropertyshehad?"

"Youmeanawill?Idon'tthinksheevermadeawill."

"HersolicitorsareBarkett,Markett&Applegood,BedfordSquare.Theysawtoallhercontracts,etc.
ButI'mfairlycertainshenevermadeawill.Shesaidoncethatdoingathinglikethatwouldgiveher
theshivers."

"Inthatcase,ifshehasdiedintestate,you,asherhusband,succeedtoherproperty."

"Yes,IsupposeIdo."

"Hadsheanynearrelatives?"

"Idon'tthinkso.Ifshehad,shenevermentionedthem.Iknowthatherfatherandmotherdiedwhenshe
wasachildandshehadnobrothersorsisters."

"Inanycase,Isuppose,shehadnothingverymuchtoleave?"

KennethMarshallsaidcoolly:"Onthecontrary.Onlytwoyearsago,SirRobertErskine,whowasan
old friend of hers, died and left her a good deal of his fortune. It amounted, I think, to about fifty
thousandpounds."

InspectorColgatelookedup.Analertnesscameintohisglance.Uptonowhehadbeensilent.Nowhe
asked:"Thenactually.CaptainMarshall,yourwifewasarichwoman?"

KennethMarshallshruggedhisshoulders."Isupposeshewasreally."

"Andyoustillsayshedidnotmakeawill?"

"Youcanaskthesolicitors.ButI'mprettycertainshedidn't.AsItellyou,shethoughtitunlucky."There
wasapause,thenMarshalladded:"Isthereanythingfurther?"

Westonshookhishead."Don'tthinkso-eh,Colgate?No.Oncemore,CaptainMarshall,letmeoffer
youallmysympathyinyourloss."

Marshallblinked.Hesaidjerkily:"Oh-thanks."Hewentout.

The three men looked at each other. Weston said: "Cool customer. Not giving anything away, is he?
Whatdoyoumakeofhim,Colgate?"

The Inspector shook his head. "It's difficult to tell. He's not the kind that shows anything. That sort
makesabadimpressioninthewitnessbox,andyetit'sabitunfaironthemreally.Sometimesthey'reas
cutupasanythingandyetcan'tshowit.ThatkindofmannermadethejurybringinaverdictofGuilty
against Wallace. It wasn't the evidence. They just couldn't believe that a man could lose his wife and
talkandactsocoollyaboutit."

WestonturnedtoPoirot."Whatdoyouthink,Poirot?"

HerculePoirotraisedhishands.Hesaid:"Whatcanonesay?Heistheclosedbox-thefastenedoyster.
Hehaschosenhisrole.Hehasheardnothing,hehasseennothing,heknowsnothing!"

"We've got a choice of motives," said Colgate. "There's jealousy and there's the money motive. Of
course, in a way, a husband's the obvious suspect. One naturally thinks of him first. If he knew his

missuswascarryingonwiththeotherchap-"

Poirotinterrupted.Hesaid:"Ithinkheknewthat."

"Whydoyousayso?"

"Listen,myfriend.LastnightIhadbeentalkingwithMrsRedfernonSunnyLedge.Icamedownfrom
theretothehotelandonmywayIsawthosetwotogether-MrsMarshallandPatrickRedfern.Anda
momentortwoafterImetCaptainMarshall.Hisfacewasverystiff.Itsaysnothing-butnothingatall!
Itisalmosttooblank,ifyouunderstandme.Oh!Heknewallright."

Colgategrunteddoubtfully.Hesaid:"Oh,well,ifyouthinkso-"

"Iamsureofit!Buteventhen,whatdoesthattellus?WhatdidKennethMarshallfeelabouthiswife?"

ColonelWestonsaid:"Takesherdeathcoollyenough."

Poirotshookhisheadinadissatisfiedmanner.InspectorColgatesaid:"Sometimesthesequietonesare
themostviolentunderneath,sotospeak.It'sallbottledup.Hemayhavebeenmadlyfondofher-and
madlyjealous.Buthe'snotthekindtoshowit."

Poirot said slowly: "That is possible - yes. He is a very interesting character, this Captain Marshall. I
interestmyselfinhimgreatly.Andinhisalibi."

"Alibibytypewriter,"saidWestonwithashortbarkofalaugh."Whathaveyougottosayaboutthat,
Colgate?"

InspectorColgatescreweduphiseyes.Hesaid:"Well,youknow,sir,Iratherfancythatalibi.It'snot
toogood,ifyouknowwhatImean.It's-well,it'snatural.Andifwefindthechambermaidwasabout,
anddidhearthetypewritergoing,wellthen,itseemstomethatit'sallrightandthatwe'llhavetolook
elsewhere."

"H'm,"saidColonelWeston."Whereareyougoingtolook?"

For a minute or two the three men pondered the question. Inspector Colgate spoke first. He said: "It

boilsdowntothis-wasitanoutsider,oraguestatthehotel?I'mnoteliminatingtheservantsentirely,
mind,butIdon'texpectforaminutethatwe'llfindanyofthemhadahandinit.No,it'sahotelguest,or
it'ssomeonefromrightoutside.We'vegottolookatitthisway.Firstofall-motive.There'sgain.The
onlypersontogainbyherdeathwasthelady'shusbanditseems.Whatothermotivesarethere?First
andforemost-jealousy.Itseemstome-justlookingatit-thatifeveryou'vegotacrimepassionnel(he
bowedtoPoirot)thisisone."

Poirotmurmuredashelookedupattheceiling:"Therearesomanypassions."

InspectorColgatewenton:"Herhusbandwouldn'tallowthatshehadanyenemies-realenemies,that
is,butIdon'tbelieveforaminutethatthat'sso!Ishouldsaythataladylikeherwould-well,would
makesomeprettybadenemies-eh,sir,whatdoyousay?"

Poirot responded. He said: "Mais oui, that is so. Arlena Marshall would make enemies. But in my
opinion, the enemy theory is not tenable, for you see. Inspector, Arlena Marshall's enemies would, I
think,asIsaidjustnow,alwaysbewomen."

Colonel Weston grunted and said: "Something in that. It's the women who've got their knife into her
hereallright."

Poirotwenton:"Itseemstobehardlypossiblethatthecrimewascommittedbyawoman.Whatdoes
themedicalevidencesay?"

Westongruntedagain.Hesaid:"Neasdon'sprettyconfidentthatshewasstrangledbyaman.Bighands
-powerfulgrip.It'sjustpossible,ofcourse,thatanunusuallyathleticwomanmighthavedoneit-but
it'sdamnedunlikely."

Poirotnodded."Exactly.Arsenicinacupoftea-aboxofpoisonedchocolates-aknife-evenapistol-
butstrangulation-no!Itisamanwehavetolookfor.Andimmediately,"hewenton,"itbecomesmore
difficult.TherearetwopeoplehereinthishotelwhohaveamotiveforwishingArlenaMarshalloutof
theway-butbothofthemarewomen."

ColonelWestonasked:"Redfern'swifeisoneofthem,Isuppose?"

"Yes.MrsRedfernmighthavemadeuphermindtokillArlenaStuart.Shehad,letussay,amplecause.
Ithink,too,thatitwouldbepossibleforMrsRedferntocommitamurder.Butnotthiskindofmurder.
Forallherunhappinessandjealousy,sheisnot,Ishouldsay,awomanofstrongpassions.Inlove,she
would be devoted and loyal - not passionate. As I said just now - arsenic in the teacup - possibly -

strangulation, no. I am sure, also, that she is physically incapable of committing this crime and her
handsandfeetaresmallbelowtheaverage."

Westonnodded.Hesaid:"Thisisn'tawoman'scrime.No,amandidthis."

Inspector Colgate coughed. "Let me put forward a solution, sir. Say that prior to meeting this Mr
Redferntheladyhadhadanotheraffairwithsomeone-callhimX.SheturnsdownXforMrRedfern.
X is mad with rage and jealousy. He follows her down here, stays somewhere in the neighborhood,
comesovertotheislandanddoesherin.It'sapossibility!"

Westonsaid:"It'spossible,allright.Andifit'strue,itoughttobeeasytoprove.Didhecomeonfootor
inaboat?Thelatterseemsmorelikely.Ifso,hemusthavehiredaboatsomewhere.You'dbettermake
inquiries."

HelookedacrossatPoirot."WhatdoyouthinkofColgate'ssuggestion?"

Poirot said slowly: "It leaves, somehow, too much to chance. And besides - somewhere the picture is
nottrue.Icannot,yousee,imaginethisman...themanwhoismadwithrageandjealousy."

Colgatesaid:"Peopledidgopottyabouther,though,sir.LookatRedfern."

"Yes, yes... But all the same -" Colgate looked at him questioningly. Poirot shook his head. He said
frowning:"Somewhere,thereissomethingwehavemissed..."

Chapter6

ColonelWestonwasporingoverthehotelregister.Hereadaloud.

"Major and Mrs Cowan, Miss Pamela Cowan, Master Robert Cowan, Master Evan Cowan. Rydal's
Mount,Leatherhead.

"Mr and Mrs Masterman, Mr Edward Masterman, Miss Jennifer Masterman, Mr Roy Masterman,
MasterFrederickMasterman.5MalboroughAvenue,London,N.W.

"MrandMrsGardener.NewYork.

"MrandMrsRedfern.Crossgates,Seldon,PrincesRisborough.

"MajorBarry.18CardonStreet,StJames,London,S.W.1.

"MrHoraceBlatt.5PickersgillStreet,London,E.C.2.

"MrHerculePoirot.WhitehavenMansions,London,W.1.

"MissRosamundDarnley.8CardiganCourt,W.1.

"MissEmilyBrewster.Southgates,Sunbury-on-Thames.

"Rev.StephenLane.London.

"CaptainandMrsMarshall.73UpscottMansions.

"MissLindaMarshall.London,S.W.7."

Hestopped.InspectorColgatesaid:"Ithink,sir,thatwecanwashoutthefirsttwoentries.MrsCastle
tells me that the Mastermans and the Cowans come here regularly every summer with their children.
Thismorningtheywentoffonanall-dayexcursionsailing,takinglunchwiththem.Theyleftjustafter
nineo'clock.AmancalledAndrewBastontookthem.Wecancheckupforhim,butIthinkwecanput
themrightoutofit."

Westonnodded."Iagree.Let'seliminateeveryonewecan.Canyougiveusapointeronanyoftherest
ofthem,Poirot?"

Poirot said: "Superficially, that is easy. The Gardeners are a middle-aged married couple, pleasant,
travelled.Allthetalkingisdonebythelady.Thehusbandisacquiescent.Heplaystennisandgolfand
hasaformofdryhumourthatisattractivewhenonegetshimtooneself."

"SoundsquiteO.K."

"Next-theRedferns.MrRedfernisyoung,attractivetowomen,amagnificentswimmer,agoodtennis

player and accomplished dancer. His wife I have already spoken of to you. She is quiet, pretty in a
washed-outway.Sheis,Ithink,devotedtoherhusband.ShehassomethingthatArlenaMarshalldid
nothave."

"Whatisthat?"

"Brains."

InspectorColgatesighed.Hesaid:"Brainsdon'tcountformuchwhenitcomestoaninfatuation,sir."

"Perhapsnot.AndyetIdotrulybelievethatinspiteofhisinfatuationforMrsMarshall,PatrickRedfern
reallycaresforhiswife."

"Thatmaybe,sir.Itwouldn'tbethefirsttimethat'shappened."

Poirot murmured: "That is the pity of it! It is always the thing women find it hardest to believe." He
wenton:"MajorBarry,RetiredIndianArmy.Anadmirerofwomen.Atelleroflongandboringstories."

InspectorColgatesighed."Youneedn'tgoon.I'vemetafew,sir."

"MrHoraceBlatt.Heis,apparently,arichman.Hetalksagooddeal-aboutMrBlatt.Hewantstobe
everybody'sfriend.Itissad.Fornobodylikeshimverymuch.Andthereissomethingelse.MrBlattlast
night asked me a good many questions. Mr Blatt was uneasy. Yes, there is something not quite right
aboutMrBlatt."Hepausedandwentonwithachangeofvoice:"NextcomesMissRosamundDarnley.
HerbusinessnameisRoseMond,Ltd.Sheisacelebrateddressmaker.WhatcanIsayofher?Shehas
brainsandcharmandchic.Sheisverypleasingtolookat."Hepausedandadded:"Andsheisavery
oldfriendofCaptainMarshall's."

Westonsatupinhischair."Oh,sheis,isshe?"

"Yes.Theyhadnotmetforsomeyears."

Westonasked:"Didsheknowhewasgoingtobedownhere?"

"Shesaysnot."Poirotpausedandthenwenton:"Whocomesnext?MissBrewster.Ifindherjustalittle

alarming."Heshookhishead."Shehasavoicelikeaman's.Sheisgruffandwhatyoucallhearty.She
rowsboatsandhasahandicapoffouratgolf."Hepaused."Ithink,though,thatshehasagoodheart."

Westonsaid:"ThatleavesonlytheReverendStephenLane.Who'stheReverendStephenLane?"

"Icanonlytellyouonething.Heisamanwhoisinaconditionofgreatnervoustension.Alsoheis,I
think,afanatic."

InspectorColgatesaid:"Oh,thatkindofperson."

Westonsaid:"Andthat'sthelot!"HelookedatPoirot."Youseemverylostinthought,myfriend."

Poirotsaid:"Yes.Because,yousee,whenMrsMarshallwentoffthismorningandaskedmenottotell
any one I had seen her, I jumped at once in my own mind to a certain conclusion. I thought that her
friendshipwithPatrickRedfernhadmadetroublebetweenherandherhusband.Ithoughtthatshewas
going to meet Patrick Redfern somewhere and that she did not want her husband to know where she
was."

Hepaused."Butthat,yousee,waswhereIwaswrong.Because,althoughherhusbandappearedalmost
immediately on the beach and asked if I had seen her, Patrick Redfern arrived also - and was most
patentlyandobviouslylookingforher!Andtherefore,myfriends,Iamaskingmyself.Whowasitthat
ArlenaMarshallwentofftomeet?"

InspectorColgatesaid:"Thatfitsinwithmyidea.AmanfromLondonorsomewhere."

HerculePoirotshookhishead.Hesaid:"But,myfriend,accordingtoyourtheory,ArlenaMarshallhad
brokenwiththismythicalman.Why,then,shouldshetakesuchtroubleandpainstomeethim?"

InspectorColgateshookhishead.Hesaid:"Whodoyouthinkitwas?"

"That is just what I cannot imagine. We have just read through the list of hotel guests. They are all
middle-aged - dull. Which of them would Arlena Marshall prefer to Patrick Redfern? No, that is
impossible. And yet, all the same, she did go to meet some one - and that some one was not Patrick
Redfern."

Westonmurmured:"Youdon'tthinkshejustwentoffbyherself?"

Poirot shook his head. "Mon cher," he said. "It is very evident that you never met the dead woman.
SomebodyoncewrotealearnedtreatiseonthedifferencethatsolitaryconfinementwouldmeantoBeau
Brummell or a man like Newton. Arlena Marshall, my dear friend, would practically not exist in
solitude.Sheonlylivedinthelightofaman'sadmiration.No,ArlenaMarshallwenttomeetsomeone
thismorning.Whowasit?"

ColonelWestonsighed,shookhisheadandsaid:"Well,wecangointotheorieslater.Gottogetthrough
theseinterviewsnow.Gottogetitdowninblackandwhitewhereeveryonewas.Isupposewe'dbetter
seetheMarshallgirlnow.Shemightbeabletotellussomethinguseful."

LindaMarshallcameintotheroomclumsily,knockingagainstthedoorpost.Shewasbreathingquickly
and the pupils of her eyes were dilated. She looked like a startled young colt. Colonel Weston felt a
kindly impulse towards her. He thought: "Poor kid - she's nothing but a kid after all. This must have
beenaprettybadshocktoher."Hedrewupachairandsaidinareassuringvoice:"Sorrytoputyou
throughthis.Miss-Linda,isn'tit?"

"Yes,Linda."

Hervoicehadthatindrawnbreathyqualitythatisoftencharacteristicofschoolgirls,Herhandsrested
helplesslyonthetableinfrontofhim-pathetichands,bigandred,withlargebonesandlongwrists.
Weston thought: "A kid oughtn't to be mixed up in this sort of thing." He said reassuringly: "There's
nothing very alarming about all this. We just want you to tell us anything you know that might be
useful,that'sall."

Lindasaid:"Youmean-aboutArlena?"

"Yes.Didyouseeherthismorningatall?"

Thegirlshookherhead."No.Arlenaalwaysgetsdownratherlate.Shehasbreakfastinbed."

HerculePoirotsaid:"Andyou,Mademoiselle?"

"Oh,Igetup.Breakfastinbed'ssostuffy."

Westonsaid:"Willyoutellusjustwhatyoudidthismorning?"

"Well,IhadabathefirstandthenbreakfastandthenIwentwithMrsRedferntoGullCove."

Westonsaid:"WhattimedidyouandMrsRedfernstart?"

"Shesaidshe'dbewaitingformeinthehallathalfpastten.IwasafraidIwasgoingtobelate,butit
wasallright.Westartedoffataboutthreeminutestothehalfhour."

Poirotsaid:"AndwhatdidyoudoatGullCove?"

"Oh, I oiled myself and sunbathed and Mrs Redfern sketched. Then, later, I went into the sea and
Christinewentbacktothehoteltogetchangedfortennis."

Westonsaid,keepinghisvoicequitecasual:"Doyourememberwhattimethatwas?"

"WhenMrsRedfernwentbacktothehotel?Quartertotwelve."

"Sureofthattime-quartertotwelve?"

Linda,openinghereyeswide,said:"Oh,yes.Ilockedatmywatch."

"Thewatchyouhaveonnow?"

Lindaglanceddownatherwrist."Yes."

Westonsaid:"MindifIsee?"

Sheheldoutherwrist.Hecomparedthewatchwithhisownandwiththehotelclockonthewall.He
said,smiling:"Correcttoasecond.Andafterthatyouhadabathe?"

"Yes."

"Andyougotbacktothehotel-when?"

"Justaboutoneo'clock.And-andthen-Iheard-aboutArlena..."Hervoicechanged.

ColonelWestonsaid:"Didyou-er-getonwithyourstepmotherallright?"

Shelookedathimforaminutewithoutreplying.Thenshesaid:"Oh,yes."

Poirotasked:"Didyoulikeher,Mademoiselle?"

Lindasaidagain:"Oh,yes."Sheadded:"Arlenawasquitekindtome."

Westonsaidwithratheruneasyfacetiousness:"Notthecruelstepmother,eh?"

Lindashookherheadwithoutsmiling.

Weston said: "That's good. That's good. Sometimes, you know, there's a bit of difficulty in families -
jealousy-allthat.Girlandherfathergreatpalsandthensheresentsitabitwhenhe'sallwrappedupin
thenewwife.Youdidn'tfeellikethat,eh?"

Lindastaredathim.Shesaidwithobvioussincerity:"Oh,no."

Westonsaid:"Isupposeyourfatherwas-er-verywrappedupinher?"

Lindasaidsimply:"Idon'tknow."

Westonwenton:"Allsortsofdifficulties,asIsay,ariseinfamilies.Quarrels-rows-thatsortofthing.
Ifhusbandandwifegetrattywitheachother,that'sabitawkwardforadaughter,too.Anythingofthat
sort?"

Lindasaidclearly:"Doyoumean,didFatherandArlenaquarrel?"

"Well-yes."Westonthoughttohimself:"Rottenbusiness-questioningachildaboutherfather.Whyis
oneapoliceman?Damnitall,it'sgottobedone,though."

Lindasaidpositively:"Oh,no."Sheadded:"Fatherdoesn'tquarrelwithpeople.He'snotlikethatatall."

Westonsaid:"Now,MissLinda,Iwantyoutothinkverycarefully.Haveyouanyideaatallwhomight
havekilledyourstepmother?Isthereanythingyou'veeverheardoranythingyouknowthatcouldhelp
usonthatpoint?"

Lindawassilentaminute.Sheseemedtobegivingthequestionaseriousunhurriedconsideration.She
saidatlast:"No,Idon'tknowwhocouldhavewantedtokillArlena."Sheadded:"Except,ofcourse,
MrsRedfern."

Westonsaid:"YouthinkMrsRedfernwantedtokillher?Why?"

Lindasaid:"BecauseherhusbandwasinlovewithArlena.ButIdon'tthinkshewouldreallywantto
killher.Imeanshe'djustfeelthatshewishedshewasdead-andthatisn'tthesamethingatall,isit?"

Poirotsaidgently:"No,itisnotatallthesame."

Lindanodded.Aqueersortofspasmpassedacrossherface.Shesaid:"Andanyway,MrsRedferncould
neverdoathinglikethat-killanybody.Sheisn't-sheisn'tviolent,ifyouknowwhatImean."

WestonandPoirotnodded.Thelattersaid:"Iknowexactlywhatyoumean,mychild,andIagreewith
you.MrsRedfernisnotofthosewho,asyoursayinggoes,'seesred.'Shewouldnotbe-"Heleaned
back half closing his eyes, picking his words with care - "shaken by a storm of feeling - seeing life
narrowinginfrontofher-seeingahatedface-ahatedwhiteneck-feelingherhandsclench-longing
tofeelthempressintoflesh-"

Hestopped.Lindamovedjerkilybackfromthetable.Shesaidinatremblingvoice:

"CanIgonow?Isthatall?"

ColonelWestonsaid:"Yes,yes,that'sall.Thankyou.MissLinda."Hegotuptoopenthedoorforher.
Thencamebacktothetableandlitacigarette."Phew,"hesaid."Notanicejob,ours.IcantellyouI
feltabitofacadquestioningthatchildabouttherelationsbetweenherfatherandherstepmother.More
orlessinvitingadaughtertoputaropearoundherfather'sneck.Allthesame,ithadtobedone.Murder
ismurder.Andshe'sthepersonmostlikelytoknowthetruthofthings.I'mratherthankful,though,that
she'dnothingtotellusinthatline."

Poirotsaid:"Yes,Ithoughtyouwere."

Westonsaidwithanembarrassedcough:"Bytheway,Poirot,youwentabitfar,Ithought,attheend.
Allthathands-sinking-into-fleshbusiness!Notquitethesortofideatoputintoakid'shead."

HerculePoirotlookedathimwiththoughtfuleyes.Hesaid:"SoyouthoughtIputideasintoherhead?"

"Well, didn't you? Come now." Poirot shook his head. Weston sheered away from the point. He said:
"On the whole we got very little useful stuff out of her. Except a more or less complete alibi for the
Redfern woman. If they were together from half past ten to a quarter to twelve that lets Christine
Redfernoutofit.Exitthejealouswifesuspect."

Poirot said: "There are better reasons than that for leaving Mrs Redfern out of it. It would, I am
convinced, be physically impossible and mentally impossible for her to strangle any one. She is cold
ratherthanwarmblooded,capableofdeepdevotionandunansweringconstancy,butnotofhot-blooded
passionorrage.Moreover,herhandsarefartoosmallanddelicate."

Colgatesaid:"IagreewithMrPoirot.She'soutofit.DrNeasdonsaysitwasafull-sizedpairofhands
throttledthatdame."

Westonsaid:"Well,Isupposewe'dbetterseetheRedfernsnext.Iexpecthe'srecoveredabitfromthe
shocknow."

PatrickRedfernhadrecoveredfullcomposurebynow.Helookedpaleandhaggardandsuddenlyvery
young,buthismannerwasquitecomposed.

"YouareMrPatrickRedfernofCrossgates,Seldon,PrincesRisborough?"

"Yes."

"HowlonghadyouknownMrsMarshall?"

PatrickRedfernhesitated,thensaid:"Threemonths."

Westonwenton:"CaptainMarshallhadtoldasthatyouandshemetcasuallyatacocktailparty.Isthat
right?"

"Yes,that'showitcameabout."

Westonsaid:"CaptainMarshallhasimpliedthatuntilyoubothmetdownhereyoudidnotknoweach
otherwell.Isthatthetruth,MrRedfern?"

AgainPatrickRedfernhesitatedaminute.Thenhesaid:"Well-notexactly.AsamatteroffactIsawa
fairamountofheronewayandanother."

"WithoutCaptainMarshall'sknowledge?"

Redfernflushedslightly.Hesaid:"Idon'tknowwhetherheknewaboutitornot."

HerculePoirotspoke.Hemurmured:"Andwasitalsowithoutyourwife'sknowledge,MrRedfern?"

"IbelieveImentionedtomywifethatIhadmetthefamousArlenaStuart."

Poirotpersisted."Butshedidnotknowhowoftenyouwereseeingher?"

"Well,perhapsnot."

Westonsaid:"DidyouandMrsMarshallarrangetomeetdownhere?"

Redfernwassilentaminuteortwo.Thenheshruggedhisshoulders."Oh,well,"hesaid."Isupposeit's
bound to come out now. It's no good my fencing with you. I was crazy about the woman - mad -
infatuated-anythingyoulike.Shewantedmetocomedownhere.IdemurredabitandthenIagreed.I
-I-well,Iwouldhaveagreedtodoanymortalthingsheliked.Shehadthatkindofeffectonpeople."

HerculePoirotmurmured:"Youpaintaveryclearpictureofher.ShewastheeternalCirce.Justthat!"

PatrickRedfernsaidbitterly:"Sheturnedmenintoswineallright!"Hewenton:"I'mbeingfrankwith
you, gentlemen. I'm not going to hide anything. What's the use? As I say, I was infatuated with her.

Whether she cared for me or not, I don't know. She pretended to, but I think she was one of those
womenwholoseinterestinamanoncethey'vegothimbodyandsoul.Sheknewshe'dgotmeallright.
Thismorning,whenIfoundherthereonthebeach,dead,itwasasthough-"hepaused-"asthough
somethinghadhitmestraightbetweentheeyes.Iwasdazed-knockedout!"

Poirotleanedforward."Andnow?"

PatrickRedfernmethiseyessquarely.Hesaid:"I'vetoldyouthetruth.WhatIwanttoaskisthis-how
muchofithasgottobemadepublic?It'snotasthoughitcouldhaveanybearingonherdeath.Andifit
allcomesout,it'sgoingtobeprettyroughonmywife.Oh,Iknow,"hewentonquickly."YouthinkI
haven'tthoughtmuchaboutheruptonow?Perhapsthat'strue.But,thoughImaysoundtheworstkind
ofhypocrite,therealtruthisthatIcareformywife-Icareforherverydeeply.Theother-"hetwitched
hisshoulders-"itwasamadness-thekindofidioticfoolthingmendo-butChristineisdifferent.She's
real. Badly as I've treated her, I've known all along, deep down, that she was the person who really
counted."Hepaused-sighed-andsaidratherpathetically:"IwishIcouldmakeyoubelievethat."

HerculePoirotleantforward.Hesaid:"ButIdobelieveit.Yes,yes,Idobelieveit!"

PatrickRedfernlookedathimgratefully.Hesaid:"Thankyou."

Colonel Weston cleared his throat. He said: "You may take it, Mr Redfern, that we shall not go into
irrelevancies.IfyourinfatuationforMrsMarshallplayednopartinthemurder,thentherewillbeno
pointindraggingitintothecase.Butwhatyoudon'tseemtorealizeisthatthat-er-intimacy-may
haveaverydirectbearingonthemurder.Itmightestablish,youunderstand,amotiveforthecrime."

PatrickRedfernsaid:"Motive?"

Westonsaid:"Yes,MrRedfern,motive!CaptainMarshall,perhaps,wasunawareoftheaffair.Suppose
thathesuddenlyfoundout."

Redfernsaid:"Oh,God!Youmeanhegotwiseand-andkilledher?"

TheChiefConstablesaidratherdrily:"Thatsolutionhadnotoccurredtoyou?"

Redfern shook his head. He said: "No - funny. I never thought of it. You see, Marshall's such a quiet
chap.I-oh,itdoesn'tseemlikely."

Westonasked:"WhatwasMrsMarshall'sattitudetoherhusbandinallthis?Wasshe-well,uneasy-in
caseitshouldcometohisears?Orwassheindifferent?"

Redfernsaidslowly:"Shewas-abitnervous.Shedidn'twanthimtosuspectanything."

"Didsheseemafraidofhim?"

"Afraid?No,Iwouldn'tsaythat."

Poirotmurmured:"Excuseme,M.Redfern,therewasnot,atanytime,thequestionofadivorce?"

PatrickRedfernshookhisheaddecisively."Oh,no,therewasnoquestionofanythinglikethat.There
wasChristine,yousee.AndArlena,Iamsure,neverthoughtofsuchathing.Shewasperfectlysatisfied
marriedtoMarshall.He's-well,ratherabigbuginhisway-"Hesmiledsuddenly."County-allthat
sortofthing,andquitewelloff.Sheneverthoughtofmeasapossiblehusband.No,Iwasjustoneofa
successionofpoormutts-justsomethingtopassthetimewith.Iknewthatallalong,andyet,queerly
enough,itdidn'taltermyfeelingstowardsher..."

Hisvoicetrailedoff.Hesattherethinking.Westonrecalledhimtotheneedsofthemoment."Now,Mr
Redfern,hadyouanyparticularappointmentwithMrsMarshallthismorning?"

Patrick Redfern looked slightly puzzled. He said: "Not a particular appointment, no. We usually met
everymorningonthebeach.Weusedtopaddleaboutonfloats."

"WereyousurprisednottofindMrsMarshalltherethismorning?"

"Yes,Iwas.Verysurprised.Icouldn'tunderstanditatall."

"Whatdidyouthink?"

"Well,Ididn'tknowwhattothink.Imean,allthetimeIthoughtshewouldbecoming."

"If she were keeping an appointment elsewhere you had no idea with whom that appointment might
be?" Patrick Redfern merely stared and shook his head. "When you had a rendezvous with Mrs

Marshall,wheredidyoumeet?"

"Well,sometimesI'dmeetherintheafternoondownatGullCove.YouseethesunisoffGullCovein
theafternoonandsotherearen'tusuallymanypeoplethere.Wemetthereonceortwice."

"Neverontheothercove?PixyCove?"

"No.YouseePixyCovefaceswestandpeoplegoroundthereinboatsoronfloatsintheafternoon.We
nevertriedtomeetinthemorning.Itwouldhavebeentoonoticeable.Intheafternoonpeoplegoand
haveasleepormoucharoundandnobodyknowsmuchwhereanyoneelseis."Westonnodded.Patrick
Redfernwenton:"Afterdinner,ofcourse,onthefinenights,weusedtogooffforastrolltogetherto
differentpartsoftheisland."

HerculePoirotmurmured:"Ah,yes!"andPatrickRedfernshothimaninquiringglance.

Westonsaid:"ThenyoucangiveusnohelpwhatsoeverastothecausethattookMrsMarshalltoPixy
Covethismorning?"

Redfern shook his head. He said, and his voice sounded honestly bewildered: "I haven't the faintest
idea!Itwasn'tlikeArlena."

Westonsaid:"Hadsheanyfriendsdownherestayingintheneighbourhood?"

"NotthatIknowof.Oh,I'msureshehadn't."

"Now,MrRedfern,Iwantyoutothinkverycarefully.YouknewMrsMarshallinLondon.Youmustbe
acquainted with various members of her circle. Is there any one you know of who could have had a
grudgeagainsther?Someone,forinstance,whomyoumayhavesupplantedinherfancy?"

PatrickRedfernthoughtforsomeminutes.Thenheshookhishead."Honestly,"hesaid."Ican'tthinkof
anyone."

ColonelWestondrummedwithhisfingersonthetable.Hesaidatlast:"Well,that'sthat.Weseemtobe
leftwiththreepossibilities.Thatofanunknownkiller-somemonomaniac-whohappenedtobeinthe
neighbourhood-andthat'saprettytallorder-"

Redfernsaid,interrupting:"Andyetsurely,it'sbyfarthemostlikelyexplanation."

Weston shook his head: "This isn't one of the 'lonely copse' murders. This cove place was pretty
inaccessible.Eitherthemanwouldhavetocomeupfromthecausewaypastthehotel,overthetopof
theislandanddownbythatladdercontraption,orelsehecametherebyboat.Eitherwayisunlikelyfor
acasualkilling."

PatrickRedfernsaid:"Yousaidtherewerethreepossibilities."

"Um - yes," said the Chief Constable. "That's to say, there were two people on this island who had a
motiveforkillingher.Herhusband,forone,andyourwifeforanother."

Redfern stared at him. He looked dumbfounded. He said: "My wife? Christine? D'you mean that
Christinehadanythingtodowiththis?"Hegotupandstoodtherestammeringslightlyinhisincoherent
hastetogetthewordsout."You'remad-quitemad-Christine?Why,it'simpossible.It'slaughable!"

Westonsaid:"Allthesame,MrRedfern,jealousyisaverypowerfulmotive.Womenwhoarejealous
losecontrolofthemselvescompletely."

Redfernsaidearnestly:"NotChristine.She's-oh,she'snotlikethat.Shewasunhappy,yes.Butshe's
notthekindofpersonto-Oh,there'snoviolenceinher."

HerculePoirotnoddedthoughtfully.Violence.ThesamewordthatLindaMarshallhadused.Asbefore,
heagreedwiththesentiment."Besides,"wentonRedfernconfidently,"itwouldbeabsurd.Arlenawas
twice as strong physically as Christine. I doubt if Christine could strangle a kitten - certainly not a
strongwirycreaturelikeArlena.AndthenChristinecouldneverhavegotdownthatladdertothebeach.
Shehasnoheadforthatsortofthing.And-oh,thewholethingisfantastic!"

ColonelWestonscratchedhiseartentatively.

"Well,"hesaid."Putlikethatitdoesn'tseemlikely.Igrantyouthat.Butmotive'sthefirstthingwe've
gottolookfor."Headded:"Motiveandopportunity."

When Redfern had left the room, the Chief Constable observed with a slight smile: "Didn't think it
necessarytotellthefellowhiswifehadgotanalibi.Wantedtohearwhathe'dhavetosaytotheidea.
Shookhimupabit,didn'tit?"

HerculePoirotmurmured:"Theargumentsheadvancedwerequiteasstrongasanyalibi."

"Yes.Oh!Shedidn'tdoit!Shecouldn'thavedoneit-physicallyimpossibleasyousaid.Marshallcould
havedoneit-butapparentlyhedidn't."

Inspector Colgate coughed. He said: "Excuse me, sir. I've been thinking about that alibi. It's possible,
youknow,ifhe'dthoughtthisthingout,thatthoselettersweregotreadybeforehand."

Westonsaid:"That'sagoodidea.Wemustlookinto-"

HebrokeoffasChristineRedfernenteredtheroom.Shewaswearingawhitetennisfrockandapale
bluepullover.Itaccentuatedherfair,ratheranaemicprettiness.Yet,HerculePoirotthoughttohimself,it
wasneitherasillyfacenoraweakone.Ithadplentyofresolution,courageandgoodsense.Henodded
appreciatively.ColonelWestonthought:"Nicelittlewoman.Bitwishy-washy,perhaps.Alottoogood
forthatphilanderingyoungassofahusbandofhers.Oh,well,theboy'syoung.Womenusuallymakea
fool of you once!" He said: "Sit down, Mrs Redfern. We've got to go through a certain amount of
routine, you see. Asking everybody for an account of their movements this morning. Just for our
records."

ChristineRedfernnodded.Shesaidinherquietprecisevoice:"Oh,yes,Iquiteunderstand.Wheredo
youwantmetobegin?"

Hercule Poirot said: "As early as possible, Madame. What did you do when you first got up this
morning?"

Christinesaid:"Letmesee.OnmywaydowntobreakfastIwentintoLindaMarshall'sroomandfixed
upwithhertogotoGullCovethismorning.Weagreedtomeetintheloungeathalfpastten."

Poirotasked:"Youdidnotbathebeforebreakfast,Madame?"

"No.Iveryseldomdo."Shesmiled."IliketheseawellwarmedbeforeIgetintoit.I'mratherachilly
person."

"Butyourhusbandbathesthen?"

"Oh,yes.Nearlyalways."

"AndMrsMarshall,shealso?"

AchangecameoverChristine'svoice.Itbecamecoldandalmostacrid.Shesaid:"Oh,no,MrsMarshall
wasthesortofpersonwhonevermadeanappearancebeforethemiddleofthemorning."

With an air of confusion, Hercule Poirot said: "Pardon, Madame, I interrupted you. You were saying
thatyouwenttoMissLindaMarshall'sroom.Whattimewasthat?"

"Letmesee-halfpasteight-no,alittlelater."

"AndwasMissMarshallupthen?"

"Oh,yes,shehadbeenout."

"Out?"

"Yes,shesaidshe'dbeenbathing."

Therewasafaint-averyfaintnoteofembarrassmentinChristine'svoice.ItpuzzledHerculePoirot.

Westonsaid:"Andthen?"

"ThenIwentdowntobreakfast."

"Andafterbreakfast?"

"Iwentupstairs,collectedmysketchingboxandsketchingbook,andwestartedout."

"YouandMissLindaMarshall?"

"Yes."

"Whattimewasthat?"

"Ithinkitwasjustonhalfpastten."

"Andwhatdidyoudo?"

"WewenttoGullCove.Youknow,thecoveontheeastsideoftheisland.Wesettledourselvesthere.I
didasketchandLindasunbathed."

"Whattimedidyouleavethecove?"

"Ataquartertotwelve.Iwasplayingtennisattwelveandhadtochange."

"Youhadyourwatchwithyou?"

"No,asamatteroffactIhadn't.IaskedLindathetime."

"Isee.Andthen?"

"Ipackedupmysketchingthingsandwentbacktothehotel."

Poirotsaid:"AndMademoiselleLinda?"

"Linda?Oh,Lindawentintothesea."

Poirotsaid:"Wereyoufarfromtheseawhereyouweresitting?"

"Well,wewerewellabovehigh-watermark.Justunderthecliff-sothatIcouldbealittleintheshade
andLindathesun."

Poirotsaid:"DidLindaMarshallactuallyentertheseabeforeyouleftthebeach?"

Christinefrownedalittleintheefforttoremember.Shesaid:"Letmesee.Sherandownthebeach-I
fastenedmybox-Yes,IheardhersplashinginthewavesasIwasonthepathupthecliff."

"Youarequitesureofthat,Madame?Thatshereallyenteredthesea?"

"Oh,yes."Shestaredathiminsurprise.

ColonelWestonalsostaredathim.Thenhesaid:"Goon,MrsRedfern."

"Iwentbacktothehotel,changed,andwenttothetenniscourtswhereImettheothers."

"Whowere?"

"Captain Marshall, Mr Gardener and Miss Darnley. We played two sets. We were just going in again
whenthenewscameabout-aboutMrsMarshall."

HerculePoirotleantforward.Hesaid:"Andwhatdidyouthink,Madame,whenyouheardthatnews?"

"WhatdidIthink?"Herfaceshowedafaintdistasteforthequestion.

"Yes."

ChristineRedfernsaidslowly:"Itwas-ahorriblethingtohappen."

"Ah,yes,yourfastidiousnesswasrevolted.Iunderstandthat.Butwhatdiditmeantoyou-personally?"

Shegavehimaquicklook-alookofappeal.Herespondedtoit.Hesaidinamatter-of-factvoice:"I
amappealingtoyou,Madame,asawomanofintelligencewithplentyofgoodsenseandjudgment.You
had doubtless during your stay here formed an opinion of Mrs Marshall, of the kind of woman she
was?"

Christinesaidcautiously:"Isupposeonealwaysdoesthatmoreorlesswhenoneisstayinginhotels."

"Certainly, it is the natural thing to do. So I ask you, Madame, were you really very surprised at the
mannerofherdeath?"

Christine said slowly: "I think I see what you mean. No, I was not, perhaps, surprised. Shocked, yes.
Butshewasthekindofwoman-"

Poirotfinishedthesentenceforher."Shewasthekindofwomantowhomsuchathingmighthappen...
Yes,Madame,thatisthetruestandmostsignificantthingthathasbeensaidinthisroomthismorning.
Layingall-er-(hestresseditcarefully)personalfeelingaside,whatdidyoureallythinkofthelateMrs
Marshall?"

ChristineRedfernsaidcalmly:"Isitreallyworthwhilegoingintoallthatnow?"

"Ithinkitmightbe,yes."

"Well, what shall I say?" Her fair skin was suddenly suffused with colour. The careful poise of her
mannerwasrelaxed.Forashortspacethenaturalrawwomanlookedout."She'sthekindofwomanthat
to my mind is absolutely worthless! She did nothing to justify her existence. She had no mind - no
brains. She thought of nothing but men and clothes and admiration. Useless, a parasite! She was
attractive to men, I suppose - Oh, of course she was. And she lived for that kind of life. And so, I

suppose,Iwasn'treallysurprisedathercomingtoastickyend.Shewasthesortofwomanwhowould
be mixed up with everything sordid - blackmail - jealousy - every kind of crude emotion. She - she
appealedtotheworstinpeople."

She stopped, panting a little. Her rather short top lip lifted itself in a kind of fastidious disgust. It
occurredtoColonelWestonthatyoucouldnothavefoundamorecompletecontrasttoArlenaStuart
than Christine Redfern. It also occurred to him that if you were married to Christine Redfern, the
atmospheremightbesorarefiedthattheArlenaStuartsofthisworldwouldholdaparticularattraction
for you. And then, immediately following on these thoughts, a single word out of the words she had
spoken fastened on his attention with particular intensity. He leaned forward and said: "Mrs Redfern,
whyinspeakingofherdidyoumentionthewordblackmail?"

Chapter7

Christine stared at him, not seeming at once to take in what he meant. She answered almost
mechanically."Isuppose-becauseshewasbeingblackmailed.Shewasthesortofpersonwhowould
be."

ColonelWestonsaidearnestly:"But-doyouknowshewasbeingblackmailed?"

Afaintcolourroseinthegirl'scheeks.Shesaidratherawkwardly:"AsamatteroffactIdohappento
knowit.I-Ioverheardsomething."

"Willyouexplain,MrsRedfern?"

Flushingstillmore,ChristineRedfernsaid:"I-Ididn'tmeantooverhear.Itwasanaccident.Itwastwo
- no, three nights ago. We were playing bridge." She turned towards Poirot. "You remember? My
husbandandI,M.PoirotandMissDarnley.Iwasdummy.Itwasverystuffyinthecardroom,andI
slippedoutofthewindowforabreathoffreshair.IwentdowntowardsthebeachandIsuddenlyheard
voices.One-itwasArlenaMarshall's-Iknewitatonce-said:'It'snogoodpressingme.Ican'tgetany
moremoneynow.Myhusbandwillsuspectsomething.'Andthenaman'svoicesaid:'I'mnottakingany
excuses. You've got to cough up.' And then Arlena Marshall said: 'You blackmailing brute!' And the
mansaid:'Bruteornot,you'llpayup,mylady.'"Christinepaused."I'dturnedbackandaminuteafter
ArlenaMarshallrushedpastme.Shelooked-well,frightfullyupset."

Westonsaid:"Andtheman?Doyouknowwhohewas?"

Christine Redfern shook her head. She said: "He was keeping his voice low. I barely heard what he
said."

"Itdidn'tsuggestthevoicetoyouofanyoneyouknew?"

Shethoughtagain,butoncemoreshookherhead.Shesaid:"No,Idon'tknow.Itwasgruffandlow.It-
oh,itmighthavebeenanybody's."

ColonelWestonsaid:"Thankyou,MrsRedfern."

When the door had closed behind Christine Redfern Inspector Colgate said: "Now we are getting
somewhere!"

Westonsaid:"Youthinkso,eh?"

"Well,it'ssuggestive,sir,youcan'tgetawayfromit.Somebodyinthishotelwasblackmailingthelady."

Poirotmurmured:"Butitisnotthewickedblackmailerwholiesdead.Itisthevictim."

"That'sabitofasetback,Iagree,"saidtheInspector."Blackmailersaren'tinthehabitofbumpingoff
theirvictims.Butwhatitdoesgiveusisthis,itsuggestsareasonforMrsMarshall'scuriousbehaviour
this morning. She'd got a rendezvous with this fellow who was blackmailing her, and she didn't want
eitherherhusbandorRedferntoknowaboutit."

"Itcertainlyexplainsthatpoint,"agreedPoirot.

Inspector Colgate went on: "And think of the place chosen. The very spot for the purpose. The lady
goesoffonherfloat.That'snaturalenough.It'swhatshedoeseveryday.ShegoesroundtoPixyCove
wherenooneevergoesinthemorningandwhichwillbeanicequietplaceforaninterview."

Poirotsaid:"Butyes,Itoowasstruckbythatpoint.Itis,asyousay,anidealspotforarendezvous.Itis
deserted, it is only accessible from the land side by descending a vertical steel ladder which is not
everybody'smoney,bienentendu.Moreover,mostofthebeachisinvisiblefromabovebecauseofthe
overhangingcliff.Andithasanotheradvantage.MrRedferntoldmeofthatoneday.Thereisacaveon
it,theentrancetowhichisnoteasytofindbutwhereanyonecouldwaitunseen."

Westonsaid:"Ofcourse,thePixy'sCave-rememberhearingaboutit."

InspectorColgatesaid:"Haven'thearditspokenofforyears,though.We'dbetterhavealookinsideit.
Neverknow,wemightfindapointerofsomekind."

Westonsaid:"Yes,you'reright,Colgate,we'vegotthesolutiontopartoneofthepuzzle.WhydidMrs
MarshallgotoPixy'sCove?Wewanttheotherhalfofthatsolution,though.Whodidshegothereto
meet?Presumablysomeonestayinginthishotel.Noneofthemfittedasalover-butablackmailer'sa
different proposition." He drew the register towards him. "Excluding the waiters, boots, etc., whom I
don't think likely, we've got the following. The American - Gardener, Major Barry, Mr Horace Blatt,
andtheReverendStephenLane."

Inspector Colgate said: "We can narrow it down a bit, sir. We might almost rule out the American, I
think.Hewasonthebeachallthemorning.That'sso,isn'tit,M.Poirot?"

Poirotreplied:"Hewasabsentforashorttimewhenhefetchedaskeinofwoolforhiswife."

Colgatesaid:"Oh,well,weneedn'tcountthat."

Westonsaid:"Andwhatabouttheotherthree?"

"MajorBarrywentoutatteno'clockthismorning.Hereturnedatone-thirty.MrLanewasearlierstill.
Hebreakfastedateight.Saidhewasgoingforatramp.MrBlattwentoffforasailatnine-thirtysame
ashedoesmostdays.Neitherofthemisbackyet?"

"Asail,eh?"ColonelWeston'svoicewasthoughtful.

InspectorColgate'svoicewasresponsive.Hesaid:"Mightfitinratherwell,sir."

Weston said: "Well, we'll have a word with this Major bloke - and let me see, who else is there?
Rosamund Darnley. And there's the Brewster woman who found the body with Redfern. What's she
like,Colgate?"

"Oh,asensibleparty,sir.Nononsenseabouther."

"Shedidn'texpressanyopinionsonthedeath?"

Theinspectorshookhishead."Idon'tthinkshe'llhaveanythingmoretotellus,sir,butwe'llhaveto
makesure.ThentherearetheAmericans."

ColonelWestonnodded.Hesaid:"Let'shave'emallinandgetitoverassoonaspossible.Neverknow,
mightlearnsomething.Abouttheblackmailingstuntifaboutnothingelse."

Mr and Mrs Gardener came into the presence of authority together. Mrs Gardener explained
immediately. "I hope you'll understand how it is, Colonel Weston (that is the name, I think?)."
Reassured on this point she went on: "But this has been a very bad shock to me and Mr Gardener is
alwaysvery,verycarefulofmyhealth-"

MrGardenerhereinterpolated."MrsGardener,"hesaid,"isverysensitive."

"-andhesaidtome,'Why,Carrie,'hesaid,'naturallyI'mcomingrightalongwithyou.'It'snotthatwe
haven'tthehighestadmirationforBritishpolicemethods,becausewehave.I'vebeentoldthatBritish
police procedure is the most refined and delicate and I've never doubted it and certainly when I once
hadabraceletmissingattheSavoyHotelnothingcouldhavebeenmorelovelyandsympatheticthan
theyoungmanwhocametoseemeaboutit,andofcourseIhadn'treallylostthebraceletatall,butjust
mislaidit,that'stheworstofrushingaboutsomuch,itmakesyoukindofforgetfulwhereyouputthings
-" Mrs Gardener paused, inhaled gently and started off again. "And what I say is, and I know Mr
Gardeneragreeswithme,thatwe'reonlytooanxioustodoanythingtohelptheBritishpoliceinevery
way.Sogorightaheadandaskmeanythingatallyouwanttoknow-"

Colonel Weston opened his mouth to comply with this invitation but had momentarily to postpone
speechwhileMrsGardenerwenton."That'swhatIsaid,Odell,isn'tit?Andthat'sso,isn'tit?"

"Yes,darling,"saidMrGardener.

Colonel Weston spoke hastily. "I understand, Mrs Gardener, that you and your husband were on the
beachallthemorning?"

ForonceMrGardenerwasabletogetinfirst."That'sso,"hesaid.

"Why, certainly we were," said Mrs Gardener. "And a lovely peaceful morning it was, just like any
othermorning,ifyougetme,perhapsevenmoreso,andnottheslightestideainourmindsofwhatwas
happeningroundthecorneronthatlonelybeach."

"DidyouseeMrsMarshallatalltoday?"

"Wedidnot.AndIsaidtoOdell,'Why,wherevercanMrsMarshallhavegottothismorning?'Isaid.
Andfirstherhusbandcominglookingforherandthenthatgood-lookingyoungman,MrRedfern,and
soimpatienthewas,justsittingthereonthebeachscowlingateveryoneandeverything.AndIsaidto
myself,'Why,whenhehasthatniceprettylittlewifeofhisown,musthegorunningafterthatdreadful
woman?'Becausethat'sjustwhatIfeltshewas.Ialwaysfeltthatabouther,didn'tI,Odell?"

"Yes,darling."

"HoweverthatniceCaptainMarshallcametomarrysuchawomanIjustcannotimagine-andwiththat
niceyoungdaughtergrowingup,andit'ssoimportantforgirlstohavetherightinfluence.MrsMarshall
was not at all the right person - no breeding at all - and I should say a very animal nature. Now if
Captain Marshall had had any sense he'd have married Miss Darnley who's a very, very charming
womanandaverydistinguishedone.ImustsayIadmirethewayshe'sgonestraightaheadandbuiltup
a first-class business as she has. It takes brains to do a thing like that - and you've only to look at
RosamundDarnleytoseeshe'sjustfranticwithbrains.Shecouldplanandcarryoutanymortalthing
sheliked.IjustadmirethatwomanmorethanIcansay.AndIsaidtoMrGardenertheotherdaythat
anyonecouldseeshewasverymuchinlovewithCaptainMarshall-crazyabouthimwaswhatIsaid,
didn'tI,Odell?"

"Yes,darling."

"Itseemstheykneweachotheraschildren,and,why,now,whoknows,itmayallcomerightafterall
with that woman out of the way. I'm not a narrow-minded woman, Colonel Weston, and it isn't that I
disapproveofthestageassuch-why,quitealotofmybestfriendsareactresses-butI'vesaidtoMr
Gardener all along that there was something evil about that woman. And you see, I've been proved
right."

Shepausedtriumphantly.ThelipsofHerculePoirotquiveredinalittlesmile.Hiseyesmetforaminute
the shrewd grey eyes of Mr Gardener. Colonel Weston said rather desperately: "Well, thank you, Mrs
Gardener.Isupposethere'snothingthateitherofyouhasnoticedsinceyou'vebeenherethatmighthave
abearinguponthecase?"

"Why, no, I don't think so." Mr Gardener spoke with a slow drawl. "Mrs Marshall was around with
youngRedfernmostofthetime-buteverybodycantellyouthat."

"Whataboutherhusband?Didhemind,doyouthink?"

MrGardenersaidcautiously:"CaptainMarshallisaveryreservedman."

MrsGardenerconfirmedthisbysaying:"Why,yes,heisarealBritisher!"

On the slightly apoplectic countenance of Major Barry various emotions seemed contending for
mastery. He was endeavouring to look properly horrified but could not subdue a kind of shamefaced
gusto.Hewassayinginhishoarseslightlywheezyvoice:"GladtohelpyouanywayIcan.'CourseI
don'tknowanythin'aboutit-nothin'atall.Notacquaintedwiththeparties.ButI'veknockedaboutabit
inmytime.LivedalotintheEast,youknow.AndIcantellyouthatafterbeinginanIndianhillstation
what you don't know about human nature isn't worth knowin'." He paused, took a breath and was off
again. "Matter of fact this business reminds me of a case in Simla. Fellow called Robinson or was it
Falconer? Anyway he was in the East Wilts or was it the North Surreys? Can't remember now and
anywayitdoesn'tmatter.Quietchap,youknow,greatreader-mildasmilkyou'dhavesaid.Wentfor
hiswifeoneeveningintheirbungalow.Gotherbythethroat.She'dbeencarryin'onwithsomefelleror
otherandhe'dgotwisetoit.ByJove,henearlydidforher!Itwastouchandgo.Surprisedusall!Didn't
thinkhehaditinhim."

HerculePoirotmurmured:"AndyouseethereananalogytothedeathofMrsMarshall?"

"Well,whatImeantosay-strangled,youknow.Sameidea.Fellersuddenlyseesred!"

Poirotsaid:"YouthinkthatCaptainMarshallfeltlikethat?"

"Oh, look here, I never said that." Major Barry's face went even redder. "Never said anything about
Marshall.Thoroughlynicechap.Wouldn'tsayawordagainsthimfortheworld."

Poirotmurmured:"Ah,pardon,butyoudidrefertothenaturalreactionsofahusband."

Major Barry said: "Well, I mean to say, I should think she'd been pretty hot stuff. Eh? Got young
Redfern on a string all right. And there were probably others before him. But the funny thing is, you
know, that husbands are a dense lot. Amazin'. I've been surprised by it again and again. They see a
fellow sweet on their wife but they don't see that she's sweet on him! Remember a case like that in
Poona.Veryprettywoman.Jove,sheledherhusbandadance-"

ColonelWestonstirredalittlerestively.Hesaid:"Yes,yes.MajorBarry.Forthemomentwe'vejustgot
to establish the facts. You don't know of anything personally - that you've seen or noticed that might
helpusinthiscase?"

"Well,really,Weston,Ican'tsayIdo.SawherandyoungRedfernoneafternoononGullCove-"Here
hewinkedknowinglyandgaveadeephoarsechuckle-"Veryprettyitwas,too.Butit'snotevidenceof
thatkindyou'rewanting.Ha,ha."

"YoudidnotseeMrsMarshallatallthismorning?"

"Didn'tseeanybodythismorning.WentovertoStLoo.Justmyluck.Sortofplaceherewherenothin'
happensformonthsandwhenitdoesyoumissit!"

The Major's voice held a ghoulish regret. Colonel Weston prompted him. "You went to St Loo, you
say?"

"Yes,wantedtodosometelephonin'.NotelephonehereandthatpostofficeplaceatLeathercombeBay
isn'tveryprivate."

"Wereyourtelephonecallsofaveryprivatenature?"

TheMajorwinkedagaincheerfully."Well,theywereandtheyweren't.Wantedtogetthroughtoapalof
mineandgethimtoputsomethin'onahorse.Couldn'tgetthroughtohim,worseluck."

"Wheredidyoutelephonefrom?"

"CallboxintheG.P.O.atStLoo.ThenonthewaybackIgotlost-theseconfoundedlanes-twistin'
andturnin'allovertheplace.Musthavewastedanhouroverthatatleast.Damnedconfusingpartofthe
world.Ionlygotbackhalfanhourago."

ColonelWestonsaid:"SpeaktoanyoneormeetanyoneinStLoo?"

Major Barry said with a chuckle: "Wantin' me to prove an alibi? Can't think of anythin' useful. Saw
aboutfiftythousandpeopleinStLoo-butthat'snottosaythey'llrememberseem'me."

TheChiefConstablesaid:"Wehavetoaskthesethings,youknow."

"Rightyouare.Callonmeatanytime.Gladtohelpyou.Veryfetchin'woman,thedeceased.Liketo

helpyoucatchthefellerwhodidit.TheLonelyBeachMurder-betyouthat'swhatthepaperswillcall
it.Remindsmeofthetime-"

It was Inspector Colgate who firmly nipped this latest reminiscence in the bud and manoeuvred the
garrulousMajoroutofthedoor.Comingbackhesaid:"DifficulttocheckuponanythinginStLoo.It's
themiddleoftheholidayseason."

The Chief Constable said: "Yes, we can't take him off the list. Not that I seriously believe he's
implicated.Dozensofoldboreslikehimgoingabout.RememberoneortwooftheminmyArmydays.
Still-he'sapossibility.Ileaveallthattoyou,Colgate.Checkwhattimehetookthecarout-petrol-all
that. It's humanly possible that he parked the car somewhere in a lonely spot, walked back here and
wenttothecove.Butitdoesn'tseemfeasibletome.He'dhaveruntoomuchriskofbeingseen."

Colgatenodded.Hesaid:"Ofcoursethereareagoodmanycharabancsheretoday.Fineday.Theystart
arriving round about half past eleven. High tide was at seven. Low tide would be about one o'clock.
Peoplewouldbespreadoutoverthesandsandthecauseway."

Westonsaid:"Yes.Buthe'dhavetocomeupfromthecausewaypastthehotel."

"Notrightpastit.Hecouldbranchoffonthepaththatleadsupoverthetopoftheisland."

Westonsaiddoubtfully:"I'mnotsayingthathemightn'thavedoneitwithoutbeingseen.Practicallyall
the hotel guests were on the bathing beach except for Mrs Redfern and the Marshall girl who were
down in Gull Cove, and the beginning of that path would only be overlooked by a few rooms of the
hotelandthereareplentyofchancesagainstanyonelookingoutofthosewindowsjustatthatmoment.
Forthematterofthat,Idaresayit'spossibleforamantowalkuptothehotel,throughtheloungeand
outagainwithoutanyonehappeningtoseehim.ButwhatIsayis,hecouldn'tcountonnooneseeing
him."

Colgatesaid:"Hecouldhavegoneroundtothecovebyboat."

Westonnodded.Hesaid:"That'smuchsounder.Ifhe'dhadaboathandyinoneofthecovesnearby,he
couldhaveleftthecar,rowedorsailedtoPixy'sCove,donethemurder,rowedback,pickedupthecar
andarrivedbackwiththistaleabouthavingbeentoStLooandlosthisway-astorythathe'dknow
wouldbeprettyhardtodisprove."

"You'reright,sir."

TheChiefConstablesaid:"Well.Ileaveittoyou,Colgate.Combtheneighbourhoodthoroughly.You
knowwhattodo.We'dbetterseeMissBrewsternow."

EmilyBrewsterwasnotabletoaddanythingofmaterialvaluetowhattheyalreadyknew.Westonsaid
aftershehadrepeatedherstory:"Andthere'snothingyouknowofthatcouldhelpusinanyway?"

EmilyBrewstersaidshortly:"Afraidnot.It'sadistressingbusiness.HoweverIexpectyou'llsoongetto
thebottomofit."

Westonsaid:"Ihopesotoo."

EmilyBrewstersaiddrily:"Oughtnottobedifficult."

"Nowwhatdoyoumeanbythat,MissBrewster?"

"Sorry.Wasn'tattemptingtoteachyouyourbusiness.AllImeantwasthatwithawomanofthatkindit
oughttobeeasyenough."

HerculePoirotmurmured:"Thatisyouropinion?"

EmilyBrewstersnappedout:"Ofcourse.Demortuisnilnisibonumandallthat,butyoucan'tgetaway
fromfacts.Thatwomanwasabadlotthroughandthrough.You'veonlygottohuntroundabitinher
unsavourypast."

HerculePoirotsaidgently:"Youdidnotlikeher?"

"I know a bit too much about her." In answer to the inquiring looks she went on. "My first cousin
married one of the Erskines. You've probably heard that that woman induced old Sir Robert when he
wasinhisdotagetoleavemostofhisfortunetoherawayfromhisownfamily."

ColonelWestonsaid:"Andthefamily-er-resentedthat?"

"Naturally. His association with her was a scandal anyway and on top of that to leave her a sum like
fiftythousandpoundsshowsjustthekindofwomanshewas.IdaresayIsoundhard,butinmyopinion
theArlenaStuartsofthisworlddeserveverylittlesympathy.Iknowofsomethingelsetoo-ayoung

fellowwholosthisheadabouthercompletely-he'dalwaysbeenabitwild,naturallyhisassociation
with her pushed him over the edge. He did something rather fishy with some shares - solely to get
moneytospendonher-andonlyjustmanagedtoescapeprosecution.Thatwomancontaminatedevery
oneshemet.LookatthewayshewasruiningyoungRedfern.No,I'mafraidIcan'thaveanyregretfor
herdeath-thoughofcourseitwouldhavebeenbetterifshe'ddrownedherself,orfallenoveracliff.
Stranglingisratherunpleasant."

"Andyouthinkthemurdererwassomeoneoutofherpast?"

"Yes,Ido."

"Someonewhocamefromthemainlandwithnooneseeinghim?"

"Why should any one see him? We were all on the beach. I gather the Marshall child and Christine
RedfernweredownonGullCoveoutoftheway.CaptainMarshallwasinhisroominthehotel.Then
whoonearthwastheretoseehimexceptpossiblyMissDarnley?"

"WherewasMissDarnley?"

"Sittinguponthecuttingatthetopofthecliff.SunnyLedgeit'scalled.Wesawherthere,MrRedfern
andI,whenwewererowingroundtheisland."

ColonelWestonsaid:"Youmayberight,MissBrewster."

EmilyBrewstersaidpositively:"I'msureI'mright.Whenawoman'sneithermorenorlessthananasty
mess,thensheherselfwillprovidethebestpossibleclue.Don'tyouagreewithme,M.Poirot?"

HerculePoirotlookedup.Hiseyesmetherconfidentgreyones.Hesaid:"Oh,yes-Iagreewiththat
which you have just this minute said. Arlena Marshall herself is the best, the only clue, to her own
death."

MissBrewstersaidsharply:"Well,then!"Shestoodthere,anerectsturdyfigure,hercoolself-confident
glancegoingfromonemantotheother.

ColonelWestonsaid:"Youmaybesure,MissBrewster,thatanycluetheremaybeinMrsMarshall's
pastlifewillnotbeoverlooked."

EmilyBrewsterwentout.

Inspector Colgate shifted his position at the table. He said in a thoughtful voice: "She's a determined
one,sheis.Andshe'dgotherknifeintothedeadlady,proper,shehad."Hestoppedaminuteandsaid
reflectively:"It'sapityinawaythatshe'sgotacast-ironalibiforthewholemorning.Didyounotice
herhands,sir?Asbigasaman's.Andshe'saheftywoman-asstrongandstrongerthanmanyamanI'd
say..."Hepausedagain.HisglanceatPoirotwasalmostpleading."Andyousaysheneverleftthebeach
thismorning,M.Poirot?"

Slowly Poirot shook his head. He said: "My dear Inspector, she came down to the beach before Mrs
MarshallcouldhavereachedPixy'sCoveandshewaswithinmysightuntilshesetoffwithMrRedfern
intheboat."

InspectorColgatesaidgloomily:"Thenthatwashesherout."Heseemedupsetaboutit.

As always, Hercule Poirot felt a keen sense of pleasure at the sight of Rosamund Darnley. Even to a
bare police inquiry into the ugly facts of murder she brought a distinction of her own. She sat down
oppositeColonelWestonandturnedagraveandintelligentfacetohim.Shesaid:"Youwantmyname
and address? Rosamund Anne Darnley. I carry on a dressmaking business under the name of Rose
Mond,Ltdat622BrookStreet."

"Thankyou.MissDarnley.Nowcanyoutellusanythingthatmayhelpus?"

"Idon'treallythinkIcan."

"Yourownmovements-"

"I had breakfast about nine-thirty. Then I went up to my room and collected some books and my
sunshadeandwentouttoSunnyLedge.Thatmusthavebeenabouttwenty-fivepastten.Icamebackto
the hotel about ten minutes to twelve, went up and got my tennis racquet and went out to the tennis
courtswhereIplayedtennisuntillunchtime."

"You were in the cliff recess, called by the hotel, Sunny Ledge, from about half past ten until ten
minutestotwelve?"

"Yes."

"DidyouseeMrsMarshallatallthismorning?"

"No."

"DidyouseeherfromthecliffasshepaddledherfloatroundtoPixy'sCove?"

"No,shemusthavegonebybeforeIgotthere."

"Didyounoticeanyoneonafloatorinaboatatallthismorning?"

"No,Idon'tthinkIdid.YouseeIwasreading.OfcourseIlookedupfrommybookfromtimetotime
butasithappenedtheseawasquieteachtimeIdidso."

"Youdidn'tevennoticeMrRedfernandMissBrewsterwhentheywentround?"

"No."

"Youwere,Ithink,acquaintedwithMrMarshall?"

"CaptainMarshallisanoldfamilyfriend.Hisfamilyandminelivednextdoortoeachother.Ihadnot
seenhim,however,foragoodmanyyears-itmustbesomethingliketwelvewears."

"AndMrsMarshall?"

"I'dneverexchangedhalfadozenwordswithheruntilImetherhere."

"WereCaptainandMrsMarshall,asfarasyouknew,ongoodtermswitheachother?"

"Onperfectlygoodterms,Ishouldsay."

"WasCaptainMarshallverydevotedtohiswife?"

Rosamund said: "He may have been. I can't really tell you anything about that. Captain Marshall is
rather old-fashioned - but he hasn't got the modern habit of shouting matrimonial woes upon the
housetop."

"DidyoulikeMrsMarshall,MissDarnley?"

"No."Themonosyllablecamequietlyandevenly.Itsoundedwhatitwas-asimplestatementoffact.

"Whywasthat?"

AhalfsmilecametoRosamund'slips.Shesaid:"Surelyyou'vediscoveredthatArlenaMarshallwasnot
popularwithherownsex?Shewasboredtodeathwithwomenandshowedit.NeverthelessIshould
liketohavehadthedressingofher.Shehadagreatgiftforclothes.Herclotheswerealwaysjustright
andsheworethemwell.Ishouldliketohavehadherasaclient."

"Shespentagooddealonclothes?"

"Shemusthave.ButthenshehadmoneyofherownandofcourseCaptainMarshallisquitewelloff."

"Did you ever hear or did it ever occur to you that Mrs Marshall was being blackmailed, Miss
Darnley?"

A look of intense astonishment came over Rosamund Darnley's expressive face. She said:
"Blackmailed?Arlena?"

"Theideaseemstosurpriseyou."

"Well,yes,itdoesrather.Itseemssoincongruous."

"Butsurelyitispossible?"

"Everything's possible, isn't it? The world soon teaches one that. But I wondered what any one could
blackmailArlenaabout?"

"There are certain things, I suppose, that Mrs Marshall might be anxious should not come to her
husband'sears?"

"We-ll,yes."Sheexplainedthedoubtinhervoicebysayingwithahalfsmile:"Isoundskeptical,but
then, you see, Arlena was rather notorious in her conduct. She never made much of a pose of
respectability."

"Youthink,then,thatherhusbandwasawareofher-intimacieswithotherpeople?"

Therewasapause.Rosamundwasfrowning.Shespokeatlastinaslowreluctantvoice.Shesaid:"You
know,Idon'treallyknowwhattothink.I'vealwaysassumedthatKennethMarshallacceptedhiswife,
quitefrankly,forwhatshewas.Thathehadnoillusionsabouther.Butitmaynotbeso."

"Hemayhavebelievedinherabsolutely?"

Rosamundsaidwithsemi-exasperation:"Menaresuchfools.AndKennethMarshallisunworldlyunder
his sophisticated manner. He may have believed in her blindly. He may have thought she was just -
admired."

"And you know of no one - that is you have heard of no one who was likely to have had a grudge
againstMrsMarshall?"

Rosamund Darnley smiled. She said: "Only resentful wives. And I presume since she was strangled,
thatitwasamanwhokilledher."

"Yes."

Rosamundsaidthoughtfully:"No,Ican'tthinkofanyone.ButthenIprobablyshouldn'tknow.You'll
havetoasksomeoneinherownintimateset."

"Thankyou,MissDarnley."

Rosamund turned a little in her chair. She said: "Hasn't M. Poirot any questions to ask?" Her faintly
ironicsmileflashedoutathim.

HerculePoirotsmiledandshookhishead.Hesaid:"Icanthinkofnothing."

RosamundDarnleygotupandwentout.

Chapter8

TheywerestandinginthebedroomthathadbeenArlenaMarshall's.Twobigbaywindowsgaveontoa
balconythatoverlookedthebathingbeachandtheseabeyond.Sunshinepouredintotheroomflashing
overthebewilderingarrayofbottlesandjarsonArlena'sdressing-table.Heretherewaseverykindof
cosmetic and unguent known to beauty parlours. Amongst this panoply of women's affairs three men
moved purposefully. Inspector Colgate went about shutting and opening drawers. Presently he gave a
grunt.Hehadcomeuponapacketoffoldedletters.HeandWestonranthroughthemtogether.

HerculePoirothadmovedtothewardrobe.Heopenedthedoorofthehangingcupboardandlookedat
themultiplicityofgownsandsportssuitsthathungthere.Heopenedtheotherside.Foamylingerielay
inpiles.Onawideshelfwerehats.Twomorebeachcardboardhatsinlacquerredandpaleyellow-a
big Hawaiian straw hat - another of drooping dark blue linen and three or four little absurdities for
which,nodoubt,severalguineashadbeenpaidapiece-akindofberetindarkblue-atuft,nomore,of
blackvelvet-apalegreyturban.HerculePoirotstoodscanningthem-afaintlyindulgentsmilecameto
hislips.Hemurmured:"Lesfemmes!"

Colonel Weston was refolding the letters. "Three from young Redfern," he said. "Damned young ass.
He'll learn not to write to women in a few more years. Women always keep letters and then swear
they'veburntthem.There'soneotherletterhere.Samelineofcountry."HehelditoutandPoirottookit.

"DarlingArlena,

"God,Ifeelblue.TobegoingouttoChina-andperhapsnotseeingyouagainforyearsandyears.I
didn't know any man could go on feeling crazy about a woman like I feel about you. Thanks for the
cheque.Theywon'tprosecutenow.Itwasanearshave,though,andallbecauseIwantedtomakebig
moneyforyou.Canyouforgiveme?Iwantedtosetdiamondsinyourears-yourlovelylovelyearsand
claspgreatmilk-whitepearlsroundyourthroatonlytheysaypearlsarenogoodnowadays.Afabulous
emerald,then?Yes,that'sthething.Agreatemerald,coolandgreenandfullofhiddenfire.Don'tforget
me-butyouwon't,Iknow.You'remine-always.

"Good-bye-goodbye-good-bye.

"J.N."

Inspector Colgate said: "Might be worth while to find out if J.N. really did go to China. Otherwise -
well,hemightbethepersonwe'relookingfor.Crazyaboutthewoman,idealizingher,suddenlyfinding
outhe'dbeenplayedforasucker.ItsoundstomeasthoughthisistheboyMissBrewstermentioned.

Yes,Ithinkthismightbeuseful."

HerculePoirotnodded.Hesaid:"Yes,thatletterisimportant.Ifinditveryimportant."

Heturnedroundandstaredattheroom-atthebottlesonthedressingtable-attheopenwardrobeand
atabigPierrotdollthatlolledinsolentlyonthebed.TheywentintoKennethMarshall'sroom.Itwas
nextdoortohiswife'sbutwithnocommunicatingdoorandnobalcony.Itfacedthesamewayandhad
twowindows,butitwasmuchsmaller.Betweenthetwowindowsagiltmirrorhungonthewall.Inthe
corner beyond the right-hand window was the dressing-table. On it were two ivory brushes, a clothes
brush and a bottle of hair lotion. In the corner by the left-hand window was a writing-table. An open
typewriterstoodonitandpaperswererangedinastackbesideit.

Colgatewentthroughthemrapidly.Hesaid:"Allseemsstraightforwardenough.Ah,here'stheletterhe
mentioned this morning. Dated the 24th - that's yesterday. And here's the envelope - postmarked
LeathercombeBaythismorning.Seemsallsquare.Nowwe'llhaveanideaifhecouldhaveprepared
thatanswerofhisbeforehand."

Hesatdown.ColonelWestonsaid:"We'llleaveyoutoit,foramoment.We'lljustglancethroughthe
restoftherooms.Everyone'sbeenkeptoutofthiscorridoruntilnowandthey'regettingabitrestive
aboutit."TheywentnextintoLindaMarshall'sroom.Itfacedeast,lookingoutovertherocksdownto
theseabelow.

Weston gave a glance round. He murmured: "Don't suppose there's anything to see here. But it's
possibleMarshallmighthaveputsomethinginhisdaughter'sroomthathedidn'twantustofind.Not
likely,though.Itisn'tasthoughtherehadbeenaweaponoranythingtogetridof."Hewentoutagain.

HerculePoirotstayedbehind.Hefoundsomethingthatinterestedhiminthegrate.Somethinghadbeen
burntthererecently.Hekneltdown,workingpatiently.Helaidouthisfindsonasheetofpaper.Alarge
irregular blob of candle grease - some fragments of green paper or cardboard, possibly a pull-off
calendar, for with it was an unburnt fragment bearing a large figure 5 and a scrap of printing... noble
deeds... There was also an ordinary pin and some burnt animal matter which might have been hair.
Poirot arranged them neatly in a row and stared at them. He murmured: "'Do noble deeds, not dream
themalldaylong.'C'estpossible.Butwhatisonetomakeofthiscollection?C'estfantastique!"Andhe
picked up the pin and his eyes grew sharp and green. He murmured: "Pour l'amour de Dieu! Is it
possible?"

HerculePoirotgotupfromwherehehadbeenkneelingbythegrate.Slowlyhelookedroundtheroom
andthistimetherewasanentirelynewexpressiononhisface.Itwasgraveandalmoststern.Totheleft
of the mantelpiece there were some shelves with a row of books. Hercule Poirot looked thoughtfully
alongthetitles.ABible,abatteredcopyofShakespeare'splays.TheMarriageofWilliamAshebyMrs

HumphryWard.TheYoungStepmotherbyCharlotteYonge.TheShropshireLad.Eliot'sMurderinthe
Cathedral.BernardShaw'sStJoan.GonewiththeWindbyMargaretMitchell.TheBurningCourtby
DicksonCarr.

Poirottookouttwobooks.TheYoungStepmotherandWilliamAshe,andglancedinsideattheblurred
stampaffixedtothetitlepage.Ashewasabouttoreplacethem,hiseyecaughtsightofabookthathad
beenshovedbehindtheotherbooks.Itwasasmalldumpyvolumeboundinbrowncalf.Hetookitout
andopenedit.Veryslowlyhenoddedhishead.Hemurmured:"SoIwasright...Yes,Iwasright.But
fortheother-isthatpossibletoo?No,itisnotpossible,unless..."

Hestayedthere,motionless,strokinghismoustacheswhilsthismindrangedbusilyovertheproblem.
Hesaidagainsoftly:"Unless-?"

ColonelWestonlookedinatthedoor."Hullo,Poirot,stillthere?"

"Iarrive.Iarrive,"criedPoirot.Hehurriedoutintothecorridor.TheroomnexttoLinda'swasthatof
the Redferns. Poirot looked into it, noting automatically the traces of two different individualities - a
neatness and tidiness which he associated with Christine and a picturesque disorder which was
characteristicofPatrick.Apartfromthesesidelightsonpersonalitytheroomdidnotinteresthim.Next
toitagainwasRosamundDarnley'sroomandherehelingeredforamomentinthesheerpleasureofthe
owner's personality. He noted the few books that lay on the table next to the bed, the expensive
simplicity of the toilet set on the dressing-table. And there came gently to his nostrils, the elusive
expensiveperfumethatRosamundDarnleyused.

NexttoRosamundDarnley'sroomatthenorthernendofthecorridorwasanopenwindowleadingtoa
balconyfromwhichanoutsidestairleddowntotherocksbelow.Westonsaid:"That'sthewaypeople
godowntobathebeforebreakfast-thatis,iftheybatheofftherocksasmostofthemdo."

Interest came into Hercule Poirot's eyes. He stepped outside and looked down. Below, a path led to
stepscutzigzagleadingdowntherockstothesea.Therewasalsoapaththatledroundthehoteltothe
left.Hesaid:"Onecouldgodownthesestairs,gototheleftroundthehotelandjointhemainpathup
fromthecauseway."

Weston nodded. He amplified Poirot's statement. "One could go right across the island without going
throughthehotelatall."Headded:"Butonemightstillbeseenfromawindow."

"Whatwindow?"

"Twoofthepublicbathroomslookoutthatway-north-andthestaffbathroom,andthecloakroomon

thegroundfloor.Alsothebilliardroom."

Poirotnodded.Hesaid:"Andalltheformerhavefrostedglasswindowsandonedoesnotplaybilliards
onafinemorning."

"Exactly."Westonpausedandsaid:"Ifhedidit,that'sthewayhewent."

"YoumeanCaptainMarshall?"

"Yes. Blackmail, or no blackmail, I still feel it points to him. And his manner - well, his manner is
unfortunate."

HerculePoirotsaiddrily:"Perhaps-butamannerdoesnotmakeamurderer!"

Westonsaid:"Thenyouthinkhe'soutofit?"

Poirotshookhishead.Hesaid:"No,Iwouldnotsaythat."

Westonsaid:"We'llseewhatColgatecanmakeoutofthetypewritingalibi.InthemeantimeI'vegotthe
chambermaidofthisfloorwaitingtobeinterviewed.Agooddealmaydependonherevidence."

The chambermaid was a woman of thirty, brisk, efficient and intelligent. Her answers came readily.
CaptainMarshallhadcomeuptohisroomnotlongafterten-thirty.Shewasthenfinishingtheroom.He
hadaskedhertobeasquickaspossible.Shehadnotseenhimcomebackbutshehadheardthesound
ofthetypewriteralittlelater.Sheputitataboutfiveminutestoeleven.ShewastheninMrandMrs
Redfern'sroom.AftershehaddonethatshemovedontoMissDarnley'sroom,asnearasshecouldsay,
atjustaftereleveno'clock.SherememberedhearingLeathercombeChurchstrikethehourasshewent
in. At a quarter past eleven she had gone downstairs for her eleven o'clock cup of tea and "snack."
Afterwards she had gone to do the rooms in the other wing of the hotel. In answer to the Chief
Constable'squestionsheexplainedthatshehaddonetheroomsinthiscorridorinthefollowingorder:
Miss Linda Marshall's, the two public bathrooms, Mrs Marshall's room and private bath, Captain
Marshall'sroom.MrandMrsRedfern'sroomandprivatebath.MissDarnley'sroomandprivatebath.
CaptainMarshall'sandMissMarshall'sroomshadnoadjoiningbathrooms.Duringthetimeshewasin
MissDarnley'sroomandbathroomshehadnotheardanyonepassthedoororgooutbythestaircaseto
therocks,butitwasquitelikelyshewouldn'thaveheardifanyonewentquietly.

WestonthendirectedhisquestionstothesubjectofMrsMarshall.

No,MrsMarshallwasn'toneforrisingearlyasarule.She,GladysNarracott,hadbeensurprisedtofind
thedooropenandMrsMarshallgonedownatjustafterten.Somethingquiteunusual,thatwas.

"DidMrsMarshallalwayshaveherbreakfastinbed?"

"Oh, yes, sir, always. Not very much of it either. Just tea and orange juice and one piece of toast.
Slimminglikesomanyladies."

No,shehadn'tnoticedanythingunusualinMrsMarshall'smannerthatmorning.She'dseemedquiteas
usual.

HerculePoirotmurmured:"WhatdidyouthinkofMrsMarshall,Mademoiselle?"

GladysNarracottstaredathim.Shesaid:"Well,that'shardlyformetosay,isit,sir?"

"Butyes,itisforyoutosay.Weareanxious-veryanxious-tohearyourimpression."

GladysgaveaslightlyuneasyglancetowardstheChiefConstablewhoendeavouredtomakehisface
sympathetic and approving, though actually he felt slightly embarrassed by his foreign colleague's
methodsofapproach.Hesaid:"Er-yes,certainly.Goahead."

For the first time Gladys Narracott's brisk efficiency deserted her. Her fingers fumbled with her print
dress.Shesaid:"Well,MrsMarshall-shewasn'texactlyalady,asyoumightsay.WhatImeanisshe
wasmorelikeanactress."

ColonelWestonsaid:"Shewasanactress."

"Yes,sir,that'swhatI'msaying.Shejustwentonexactlyasshefeltlikeit.Shedidn't-well,shedidn't
trouble to be polite if she wasn't feeling polite. And she'd be all smiles one minute and then if she
couldn'tfindsomethingorthebellwasn'tansweredatonceorherlaundrywasn'tback,well,she'dbe
downright rude and nasty about it. None of us as you might say liked her. But her clothes were
beautiful,andofcourseshewasaveryhandsomelady,soitwasonlynaturalsheshouldbeadmired."

ColonelWestonsaid:"IamsorrytohavetoaskyouwhatIamgoingtoaskyou,butitisaveryvital
matter.Canyoutellmehowthingswerebetweenherandherhusband?"

GladysNarracotthesitatedaminute.Shesaid:"Youdon't-itwasn't-youdon'tthinkashedidit?"

HerculePoirotsaidquickly:"Doyou?"

"Oh!Iwouldn'tliketothinkso.He'ssuchanicegentleman,CaptainMarshall.Hecouldn'tdoathing
likethat-I'msurehecouldn't."

"Butyouarenotverysure-Ihearitinyourvoice."

GladysNarracottsaidreluctantly:"Youdoreadthingsinthepapers!Whenthere'sjealously.Ifthere's
beengoings-on-andofcourseeveryone'sbeentalkingaboutit-aboutherandMrRedfern,Imean.
AndMrsRedfern'ssuchanicequietlady!Itdoesseemashame!AndMrRedfern'sanicegentleman
too, but it seems men can't help themselves when it's a lady like Mrs Marshall - one who's used to
havingherownway.Wiveshavetoputupwithalot,I'msure."Shesighedandpaused."ButifCaptain
Marshallfoundoutaboutit-"

ColonelWestonsaidsharply:"Well?"

GladysNarracottsaidslowly:"IdidthinksometimesthatMrsMarshallwasfrightenedofherhusband
knowing."

"Whatmakesyousaythat?"

"It wasn't anything definite, sir. It was only I felt - that sometimes she was - afraid of him. He was a
veryquietgentlemanbuthewasn't-hewasn'teasy."

Weston said: "But you've nothing definite to go on? Nothing either of them ever said to each other."
SlowlyGladysNarracottshookherhead.Westonsighed.Hewenton:"Now,astolettersreceivedby
MrsMarshallthismorning.Canyoutellusanythingaboutthose?"

"Therewereaboutsixorseven,sir.Icouldn'tsayexactly."

"Didyoutakethemuptoher?"

"Yes,sir.Igotthemfromtheofficeasusualandputthemonherbreakfasttray."

"Doyourememberanythingaboutthelookofthem?"

The girl shook her head. "They were just ordinary-looking letters. Some of them were bills and
circulars,Ithink,becausetheyweretornuponthetray."

"Whathappenedtothem?"

"Theywentintothedustbin,sir.Oneofthepolicegentlemenisgoingthroughthatnow."

Westonnodded."Andthecontentsofthewastepaperbaskets,wherearethey?"

"They'llbeinthedustbintoo."

Westonsaid:"H'm-well,Ithinkthatisallatpresent."HelookedinquiringlyatPoirot.

Poirot leaned forward. "When you did Miss Linda Marshall's room this morning, did you do the
fireplace?"

"Therewasn'tanythingtodo,sir.Therehadbeennofirelit."

"Andtherewasnothinginthefireplaceitself?"

"No,sir,itwasperfectlyallright."

"Whattimedidyoudoherroom?"

"Aboutaquarterpastnine,sir,whenshe'dgonedowntobreakfast."

"Didshecomeuptoherroomafterbreakfast,doyouknow?"

"Yes,sir.Shecameupaboutaquartertoten."

"Didshestayinherroom?"

"Ithinkso,sir.Shecameout,hurryingrather,justbeforehalfpastten."

"Youdidn'tgointoherroomagain?"

"No,sir.Ihadfinishedwithit."

Poirotnodded.Hesaid:"ThereisanotherthingIwanttoknow.Whatpeoplebathedbeforebreakfast
thismorning?"

"Icouldn'tsayabouttheotherwingandthefloorabove.Onlyaboutthisone."

"ThatisallIwanttoknow."

"Well,sir.CaptainMarshallandMrRedfernweretheonlyonesthismorning,Ithink.Theyalwaysgo
downforanearlydip."

"Didyouseethem?"

"No,sir,buttheirwetbathingthingswerehangingoverthebalconyrailasusual."

"MissLindaMarshalldidnotbathethismorning?"

"No,sir.Allherbathingdresseswerequitedry."

"Ah,"saidPoirot."ThatiswhatIwantedtoknow."

GladysNarracottvolunteered:"Shedoesmostmornings,sir."

"Andtheotherthree,MissDarnley,MrsRedfernandMrsMarshall?"

"Mrs Marshall never, sir. Miss Darnley has once or twice, I think. Mrs Redfern doesn't often bathe
beforebreakfast-onlywhenit'sveryhot,butshedidn'tthismorning."

AgainPoirot nodded. Thenhe asked: "Iwonder if you havenoticed whether abottle is missing from
anyoftheroomsyoulookafterinthiswing?"

"Abottle,sir?Whatkindofbottle?"

"UnfortunatelyIdonotknow.Buthaveyounoticed-ifonehasgone?"

Gladyssaidfrankly:"Ishouldn'tfromMrsMarshall'sroom,sir,andthat'safact.Shehaseversomany."

"Andtheotherrooms?"

"Well,I'mnotsureaboutMissDarnley.Shehasagoodmanycreamsandlotions.Butfromtheother
rooms,yes,Iwould,sir.ImeanifIweretolookspecial.IfIwerenoticing,sotospeak."

"Butyouhaven'tactuallynoticed?"

"No,becauseIwasn'tlookingspecial,asIsay."

"Perhapsyouwouldgoandlooknow,then."

"Certainly,sir."

Shelefttheroom,herprintdressrustling.WestonlookedatPoirot.Hesaid:"What'sallthis?"

Poirotmurmured:"Myorderlymind,thatisvexedbytrifles!MissBrewster,thismorning,wasbathing
offtherocksbeforebreakfast,andshesaysthatabottlewasthrownfromaboveandnearlyhither.Eh
bien,Iwanttoknowwhothrewthatbottleandwhy?"

"Mydearman,anyonemayhavechuckedabottleaway."

"Notatall.Tobeginwith,itcouldonlyhavebeenthrownfromawindowontheeastsideofthehotel-
thatis,oneofthewindowsoftheroomswehavejustexamined.NowIaskyou,ifyouhaveanempty
bottleonyourdressing-tableorinyourbathroom,whatdoyoudowithit?Iwilltellyou,youdropit
intothewastepaperbasket.Youdonottakethetroubletogooutonyourbalconyandhurlitintothe
sea!Foronethingyoumighthitsomeone,foranotheritwouldbetoomuchtrouble.No,youwould
onlydothatifyoudidnotwantanyonetoseethatparticularbottle."

Westonstaredathim.Westonsaid:"IknowthatChiefInspectorJapp,whomImetoveracasenotlong
ago, always says you have a damned tortuous mind. You're not going to tell me now that Arlena
Marshallwasn'tstrangledatall,butpoisonedoutofsomemysteriousbottlewithamysteriousdrug?"

"No,no,Idonotthinktherewaspoisoninthatbottle."

"Thenwhatwasthere?"

"Idonotknowatall.That'swhyIaminterested."

Gladys Narracott came back. She was a little breathless. She said: "I'm sorry, sir, but I can't find
anythingmissing.I'msurethere'snothinggonefromCaptainMarshall'sroomorMissLindaMarshall's
room or Mr and Mrs Redfern's room, and I'm pretty sure there's nothing gone from Miss Darnley's
either.ButIcouldn'tsayaboutMrsMarshall's.AsIsay,she'sgotsuchalot."

Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.Hesaid:"Nomatter.Wewillleaveit."

GladysNarracottsaid:"Isthereanythingmore,sir?"Shelookedfromonetotheotherofthem.

Westonsaid:"Don'tthinkso.Thankyou."

Poirotsaid:"Ithankyou,no.Youaresure,areyounot,thatthereisnothing-nothingatall,thatyou
haveforgottentotellus?"

"AboutMrsMarshall,sir?"

"Aboutanythingatall.Anythingunusual,outoftheway,unexplained,slightlypeculiar,rathercurious-
enfin,somethingthathasmadeyousaytoyourselfortooneofyourcolleagues:That'sfunny!'?"

Gladyssaiddoubtfully:"Well,notthesortofthingthatyouwouldmean,sir?"

HerculePoirotsaid:"NevermindwhatImean.YoudonotknowwhatImean.Itistrue,then,thatyou
have said to yourself or to a colleague today: 'That is funny!'?" He brought out the three words with
ironicdetachment.

Gladyssaid:"Itwasnothingreally.Justabathbeingrun.AndIdidpasstheremarktoElsie,downstairs,
thatitwasfunnysomebodyhavingabathroundabouttwelveo'clock."

"Whosebath,whohadabath?"

"ThatIcouldn'tsay,sir.Wehearditgoingdownthewastefromthiswing,that'sall,andthat'swhenI
saidwhatIdidtoElsie."

"You'resureitwasabath?Notoneofthehandbasins?"

"Oh!quitesure,sir.Youcan'tmistakebath-waterrunningaway."

Poirotdisplayingnofurtherdesiretokeepher,GladysNarracottwaspermittedtodepart.

Westonsaid:"Youdon'tthinkthisbathquestionisimportant,doyou,Poirot?Imean,there'snopointto
it.Nobloodstainsoranythinglikethattowashoff.That'sthe-"Hehesitated.

Poirot cut in: "That, you would say, is the advantage of strangulation! No bloodstains, no weapon -
nothingtogetridoforconceal!Nothingisneededbutphysicalstrength-andthesoulofakiller!"His
voicewassofierce,sochargedwithfeeling,thatWestonrecoiledalittle.HerculePoirotsmiledathim
apologetically."No,no,"hesaid,"thebathisprobablyofnoimportance.Anyonemayhavehadabath.
MrsRedfernbeforeshewenttoplaytennis.CaptainMarshall,MissDarnley.AsIsay,anyone.Thereis
nothinginthat."

APoliceConstableknockedatthedoor,andputinhishead."It'sMissDarnley,sir.Shesaysshe'dlike
toseeyouagainforaminute.There'ssomethingsheforgottotellyou,shesays."

Westonsaid:"We'recomingdown-now."

The first person they saw was Colgate. His face was gloomy. "Just a minute, sir." Weston and Poirot
followed him into Mrs Castle's office. Colgate said: "I've been checking up with Heald on this
typewritingbusiness.Notadoubtofit,itcouldn'tbedoneunderanhour.Longer,ifyouhadtostopand
thinkhereandthere.Thatseemstomeprettywelltosettleit.Andlookatthisletter."Hehelditout.

"MydearMarshall,

"SorrytoworryyouonyourholidaybutanentirelyunforeseensituationhasarisenovertheBurleyand
Tendercontracts..."

"Etcetera, etcetera," said Colgate. "Dated the 24th - that's yesterday. Envelope postmarked yesterday
evening E.C.I and Leathercombe Bay this morning. Same typewriter used on envelope and in letter.
And by the contents it was clearly impossible for Marshall to prepare his answer beforehand. The
figuresariseoutoftheonesintheletter-thewholethingisquiteintricate."

"H'm,"saidWestongloomily."ThatseemstoletMarshallout.We'llhavetolookelsewhere."Headded:
"I'vegottoseeMissDarnleyagain.She'swaitingnow."

Rosamund came in crisply. Her smile held an apologetic nuance. She said: "I'm frightfully sorry.
Probablyitisn'tworthbotheringabout.Butonedoesforgetthingsso."

"Yes,MissDarnley?"TheChiefConstableindicatedachair.

She shook her shapely black head. "Oh, it isn't worth sitting down. It's simply this. I told you that I
spent the morning lying out on Sunny Ledge. That isn't quite accurate. I forgot that once during the
morningIwentbacktothehotelandoutagain."

"Whattimewasthat,MissDarnley?"

"Itmusthavebeenaboutaquarterpasteleven."

"Youwentbacktothehotel,yousaid?"

"Yes,I'dforgottenmyglareglasses.AtfirstIthoughtIwouldn'tbotherandthenmyeyesgottiredandI
decidedtogoinandgetthem."

"Youwentstraighttoyourroomandoutagain."

"Yes.Atleast,asamatteroffact,IjustlookedinonKen-CaptainMarshall.Iheardhismachinegoing
andIthoughtitwassostupidofhimtostayindoorstypingonsuchalovelyday.IthoughtI'dtellhimto
comeout."

"AndwhatdidCaptainMarshallsay?"

Rosamundsmiledrathershamefacedly.

"Well,whenIopenedthedoorhewastypingsovigorously,andfrowningandlookingsoconcentrated
thatIjustwentawayquietly.Idon'tthinkheevensawmecomein."

"Andthatwas-atwhattime,MissDarnley?"

"Justabouttwentypasteleven.InoticedtheclockinthehallasIwentoutagain."

"Andthatputsthelidonitfinally,"saidInspectorColgate."Thechambermaidheardhimtypinguptill
five minutes to eleven. Miss Darnley saw him at twenty minutes past, and the woman was dead at a
quarter to twelve. He says he spent that hour typing in his room and it seems quite clear that he was
typinginhisroom.ThatwashesCaptainMarshallrightout."Hestopped,thenlookingatPoirotwith
somecuriosityheasked:"M.Poirot'slookingveryseriousoversomething."

Poirot said thoughtfully: "I was wondering why Miss Darnley suddenly volunteered this extra
evidence."

Inspector Colgate cocked his head alertly. "Think there's something fishy about it? That it isn't just a
questionof'forgetting'?"Heconsideredforamomentortwo,thenhesaidslowly:"Lookhere,sir,let's
look at it this way. Supposing Miss Darnley wasn't on Sunny Ledge this morning as she says. That
story'sa lie. Nowsuppose that aftertelling us her story,she finds thatsomebody saw her somewhere
elseoralternativelythatsomeonewenttotheLedgeanddidn'tfindherthere.Thenshethinksupthis
storyquickandcomesandtellsittoustoaccountforherabsence.You'llnoticethatshewascarefulto
sayCaptainMarshalldidn'tseeherwhenshelookedintohisroom."

Poirotmurmured:"Yes,Inoticedthat."

Westonsaidincredulously:"AreyousuggestingthatMissDarnley'smixedupinthis?Nonsense,seems
absurdtome.Whyshouldshebe?"

InspectorColgatecoughed.Hesaid:"You'llrememberwhattheAmericanlady,MrsGardener,said.She
sortofhintedthatMissDarnleywassweetonCaptainMarshall.There'dbeamotivethere,sir."

Westonsaidimpatiently:"ArlenaMarshallwasn'tkilledbyawoman.It'samanwe'vegottolookfor.
We'vegottosticktothemeninthecase."

InspectorColgatesighed.Hesaid:"Yes,that'strue,sir.Wealwayscomebacktothat,don'twe?"

Westonwenton:"Betterputaconstableontotimingoneortwothings.Fromthehotelacrosstheisland
to the top of the ladder. Let him do it running and walking. Same thing with the ladder itself. And
somebodyhadbettercheckthetimeittakestogoonafloatfromthebathingbeachtothecove."

InspectorColgatenodded."I'llattendtoallthat,sir,"hesaidconfidently.

TheChiefConstablesaid:"ThinkI'llgoalongtothecovenow.SeeifPhillipshasfoundanything.Then
there's that Pixy's Cave that we've been hearing about. Ought to see if there are any traces of a man
waitinginthere.Eh?Poirot.Whatdoyouthink?"

"Byallmeans.Itisapossibility."

Weston said: "If somebody from outside had nipped over to the island that would be a good hiding-
place-ifheknewaboutit.Isupposethelocalsknow?"

Colgatesaid:"Don'tbelievetheyoungergenerationwould.Yousee,eversincethishotelwasstartedthe
coveshavebeenprivateproperty.Fishermendon'tgothere,orpicnicparties.Andthehotelpeoplearen't
local.MrsCastle'saLondoner."

Westonsaid:"WemighttakeRedfernwithus.Hetoldusaboutit.Whataboutyou,M.Poirot?"

HerculePoirothesitated.Hesaid,hisforeignintonationverypronounced:"No,IamlikeMissBrewster

andMrsRedfern,Idonotliketodescendperpendicularladders."

Westonsaid:"Youcangoroundbyboat."

AgainHerculePoirotsighed."Mystomach,itisnothappyonthesea."

"Nonsense,man,it'sabeautifulday.Calmasamillpond.Youcan'tletusdown,youknow."

HerculePoirothardlylookedlikerespondingtothisBritishadjuration.Butatthatmoment,MrsCastle
poked her ladylike face and elaborate coiffure round the door. "Ay'm sure Ay hope Ay am not
intruding,"shesaid."ButMrLane,theclergyman,youknow,hasjustreturned.Aythoughtyoumight
liketoknow."

"Ah,yes,thanks,MrsCastle.We'llseehimrightaway."

MrsCastlecamealittlefurtherintotheroom.Shesaid:"Aydon'tknowifitisworthmentioning,but
Ayhaveheardthatthesmallestincidentshouldnotbeignored-"

"Yes,yes?"saidWestonimpatiently.

"Itisonlythattherewasaladyandgentlemanhereaboutoneo'clock.Cameoverfromthemainland.
Forluncheon.Theywereinformedthattherehadbeenanaccidentandthatunderthecircumstancesno
luncheoncouldbeserved."

"Anyideawhotheywere?"

"Ay couldn't say at all. Naturally no name was given. They expressed disappointment and a certain
amountofcuriosityastothenatureoftheaccident.Aycouldn'ttellthemanything,ofcourse.Ayshould
say,myself,theyweresummervisitorsofthebetterclass."

Westonsaidbrusquely:"Ah,well,thankyoufortellingus.Probablynotimportantbutquiteright-er-
toremembereverything."

"Naturally,"saidMrsCastle,"AywishtodomyDuty!"

"Quite,quite.AskMrLanetocomehere."

StephenLane strode intothe room withhis usual vigor. Westonsaid: "I'm theChief Constable of the
County,MrLane.Isupposeyou'vebeentoldwhathasoccurredhere?"

"Yes-oh,yes-IheardassoonasIgothere.Terrible...Terrible..."Histhinframequivered.Hesaidina
lowvoice:"Allalong-eversinceIarrivedhere-Ihavebeenconscious-veryconscious-oftheforces
ofevilcloseathand."Hiseyes,burningeagereyes,wenttoHerculePoirot.Hesaid:"Youremember,
M.Poirot?Ourconversationsomedaysago?Abouttherealityofevil?"

Westonwasstudyingthetallgauntfigureinsomeperplexity.Hefounditdifficulttomakethismanout.
Lane'seyescamebacktohim.Theclergymansaidwithaslightsmile:"Idaresaythatseemsfantasticto
you, sir. We have left off believing in evil in these days. We have abolished Hell fire! We no longer
believeintheDevil!ButSatanandSatan'semissarieswerenevermorepowerfulthantheyaretoday!"

Westonsaid:"Er-er-yes,perhaps.That,MrLane,isyourprovince.Mineismoreprosaic-toclearup
acaseofmurder."

Stephen Lane said: "An awful word. Murder! One of the earliest sins known on earth - the ruthless
shedding of an innocent brother's blood..." He paused, his eyes half closed. Then, in a more ordinary
voicehesaid:"InwhatwaycanIhelpyou?"

"Firstofall,MrLane,willyoutellmeyourownmovementstoday?"

"Willingly.Istartedoffearlyononeofmyusualtramps.Iamfondofwalking.Ihaveroamedovera
gooddealofthecountrysideroundhere.TodayIwenttoStPetrock-in-the-Combe.Thatisaboutseven
milesfromhere-averypleasantwalkalongwindinglanes,upanddowntheDevonhillsandvalleys.I
took some lunch with me and ate it in a spinney. I visited the Church - it has some fragments - only
fragments,alas,ofearlyglass-alsoaveryinterestingpaintedscreen."

"Thankyou,MrLane.Didyoumeetanyoneonyourwalk?"

"Nottospeakto.Acartpassedmeonceandacoupleofboysonbicyclesandsomecows.However,"he
smiled,"ifyouwantproofofmystatementIwrotemynameinthebookattheChurch.Youwillfindit
there."

"YoudidnotseeanyoneattheChurchitself-theVicar,ortheverger?"

Stephen Lane shook his head. He said: "No, there was no one about and I was the only visitor. St
Petrockisaveryremotespot.Thevillageitselfliesonthefarsideofitabouthalfamilefurtheron."

ColonelWestonsaidpleasantly:"Youmustn'tthinkwe're-er-doubtingwhatyousay.Justamatterof
checking up on everybody. Just routine, you know, routine. Have to stick to routine in cases of this
kind."

StephenLanesaidgently:"Oh,yes,Iquiteunderstand."

Westonwenton:"Nowthenextpoint.Isthereanythingyouknowthatwouldassistusatall?Anything
aboutthedeadwoman?Anythingthatcouldgiveusapointerastowhomurderedher?Anythingyou
heardorsaw?"

StephenLanesaid:"Iheardnothing.AllIcantellyouisthis:thatIknewinstinctivelyassoonasIsaw
herthatArlenaMarshallwasafocusofevil.ShewasEvil!Evilpersonified!Womancanbeman'shelp
and inspiration in life - she can also be man's downfall. She can drag a man down to the level of the
beast.Thedeadwomanwasjustsuchawoman.Sheappealedtoeverythingbaseinaman'snature.She
was a woman such as Jezebel and Aholibah. Now - she has been struck down in the middle of her
wickedness!"

HerculePoirotstirred.Hesaid:"Notstruckdown-strangled!Strangled,MrLane,byapairofhuman
hands."

The clergyman's own hands trembled. The fingers writhed and twitched. He said, and his voice came
lowandchoked:"That'shorrible-horrible-Mustyouputitlikethat?"

HerculePoirotsaid:"Itisthesimpletruth.Haveyouanyidea,MrLane,whosehandsthosewere?"

Theothershookhishead.Hesaid:"Iknownothing-nothing..."

Westongotup.Hesaid,afteraglanceatColgatetowhichthelatterrepliedbyanalmostimperceptible
nod,"Well,wemustgetontotheCove."

Lanesaid:"Isthatwhere-ithappened?"

Westonnodded.Lanesaid:"Can-canIcomewithyou?"

About to return a curt negative, Weston was forestalled by Poirot. "But certainly," said Poirot.
"Accompanymethereinaboat,MrLane.Westartimmediately."

Chapter9

For the second time that morning Patrick Redfern was rowing a boat into Pixy's Cove. The other
occupants of the boat were Hercule Poirot, very pale with a hand to his stomach, and Stephen Lane.
ColonelWestonhadtakenthelandroute.Havingbeendelayedonthewayhearrivedonthebeachat
thesametimeastheboatgrounded.APoliceConstableandaplainclothessergeantwereonthebeach
already.Westonwasquestioningthelatterasthethreefromtheboatwalkedupandjoinedhim.

SergeantPhillipssaid:"IthinkI'vebeenovereveryinchofthebeach,sir."

"Good,whatdidyoufind?"

"It'salltogetherhere,sir,ifyouliketocomeandsee."Asmallcollectionofobjectswaslaidoutneatly
onarock.Therewereapairofscissors,anemptyGoldFlakepacket,fivepatentbottletops,anumber
of used matches, three pieces of string, one or two fragments of newspaper, a fragment of a smashed
pipe,fourbuttons,thedrumstickboneofachickenandanemptybottleofsun-bathingoil.

Weston looked down appraisingly on the objects. "H'm," he said. "Rather moderate for a beach
nowadays!Mostpeopleseemtoconfuseabeachwithapublicrubbishdump!Emptybottle'sbeenhere
sometimebythewaythelabel'sblurred-sohavemostoftheotherthings,Ishouldsay.Thescissors
arenew,though.Brightandshining.Theyweren'toutinyesterday'srain!Wherewerethey?"

"Closebythebottomoftheladder,sir.Alsothisbitofpipe."

"H'm,probablydroppedbysomeonegoingupordown.Nothingtosaywhotheybelongto?"

"No,sir.Quiteanordinarypairofnailscissors.Pipe'sagoodqualitybriar-expensive."

Poirotmurmuredthoughtfully:"CaptainMarshalltoldus,Ithink,thathehadmislaidhispipe."

Westonsaid:"Marshall'soutofthepicture.Anywayhe'snottheonlypersonwhosmokesapipe."

HerculePoirotwaswatchingStephenLaneasthelatter'shandwenttohispocketandawayagain.He
saidpleasantly:"Youalsosmokeapipe,doyounot,MrLane?"

The clergyman started. He looked at Poirot. He said: "Yes. Oh, yes. My pipe is an old friend and
companion."Puttinghishandintohispocketagainhedrewoutapipe,filleditwithtobaccoandlighted
it.

HerculePoirotmovedawaytowhereRedfernwasstanding,hiseyesblank.Hesaidinalowvoice:"I'm
glad-they'vetakenheraway..."

StephenLaneasked:"Wherewasshefound?"

TheSergeantsaidcheerfully:"Justaboutwhereyou'restanding,sir."

Lane moved swiftly aside. He stared at the spot he had just vacated. The Sergeant went on: "Place
wherethefloatwasdrawnupagreeswithputtingthetimeshearrivedhereat10.45.That'sgoingbythe
tide.It'sturnednow."

Westonsaid:"Photographyalldone?"

"Yes,sir."

WestonturnedtoRedfern."Nowthen,man,where'stheentrancetothiscaveofyours?"

PatrickRedfernwasstillstaringdownatthebeachwhereLanehadbeenstanding.Itwasasthoughhe
was seeing that sprawling body that was no longer there. Weston's words recalled him to himself. He
said: "It's over here." He led the way to where a great mass of tumbled down rocks were massed
picturesquely against the cliffside. He went straight to where two big rocks, side by side, showed a
straightnarrowcleftbetweenthem.Hesaid:"Theentranceishere."

Westonsaid:"Here?Doesn'tlookasthoughamancouldsqueezethrough."

"It'sdeceptive,you'llfind,sir.Itcanjustbedone."

Weston inserted himself gingerly into the cleft. It was not as narrow as it looked. Inside, the space
widenedandprovedtobeafairlyroomyrecesswithroomtostanduprightandtomoveabout.Hercule
PoirotandStephenLanejoinedtheChiefConstable.Theothersstayedoutside.Lightfilteredinthrough
the opening, but Weston had also got a powerful torch which he played freely over the interior. He
observed:"Handyplace.You'dneversuspectitfromtheoutside."Heplayedthetorchcarefullyoverthe
floor.

HerculePoirotwasdelicatelysniffingtheair.Noticingthis,Westonsaid:"Airquitefresh,notfishyor
seaweedy,butofcoursethisplaceiswellabovehighwatermark."

But to Poirot's sensitive nose, the air was more than fresh. It was delicately scented. He knew two
peoplewhousedthatelusiveperfume...Weston'storchcametorest.Hesaid:"Don'tseeanythingoutof
thewayinhere."

Poirot's eyes rose to a ledge a little way above his head. He murmured: "One might perhaps see that
thereisnothingupthere?"

Weston said: "If there's anything up there it would have to be deliberately put there. Still, we'd better
havealook."

PoirotsaidtoLane:"Youare,Ithink,thetallestofus,Monsieur.Couldweventuretoaskyoutomake
surethereisnothingrestingonthatledge?"

Lanestretchedup,buthecouldnotquitereachtothebackoftheshelf.Then,seeingacreviceinthe
rock,heinsertedatoeinitandpulledhimselfupbyonehand.Hesaid:"Hullo,there'saboxuphere."

Inaminuteortwotheywereoutinthesunshineexaminingtheclergyman'sfind.Westonsaid:"Careful,
don'thandleitmorethanyoucanhelp.Maybefingerprints."

ItwasadarkgreentinboxandborethewordSandwichesonit.SergeantPhillipssaid:"Leftfromsome
picnic or other, I suppose." He opened the lid with his handkerchief. Inside were small tin containers
marked salt, pepper, mustard, and two larger square tins evidently for sandwiches. Sergeant Phillips
liftedthelidofthesaltcontainer.Itwasfulltothebrim.Heraisedthenextone,commenting:"H'm,got
saltinthepepperonetoo."Themustardcompartmentalsocontainedsalt.Hisfacesuddenlyalert,the
police sergeant opened one of the bigger square tins. That, too, contained the same white crystalline
powder.

Very gingerly, Sergeant Phillips dipped a finger in and applied it to his tongue. His face changed. He

said-andhisvoicewasexcited:"Thisisn'tsalt,sir.Notbyalongway!Bittertaste!Seemstomeit's
somekindofdrug."

"The third angle," said Colonel Weston with a groan. They were back at the hotel again. The Chief
Constable went on: "If by any chance there's a dope gang mixed up in this, it opens up several
possibilities.Firstofall,thedeadwomanmayhavebeeninwiththegangherself.Thinkthat'slikely?"

HerculePoirotsaidcautiously:"Itispossible."

"Shemayhavebeenadrugaddict?"

Poirotshookhishead.Hesaid:"Ishoulddoubtthat.Shehadsteadynerves,radianthealth,therewere
nomarksofhypodermicinjections(notthatthatprovesanything.Somepeoplesniffthestuff.).No,Ido
notthinkshetookdrugs."

"Inthatcase,"saidWeston,"shemayhaverunintothebusinessaccidentallyandshewasdeliberately
silenced by the people running the show. We'll know presently just what the stuff is. I've sent it to
Neasdon.Ifwe'reontosomedopering,they'renotthepeopletostickattrifles-"

HebrokeoffasthedooropenedandMrHoraceBlattcamebrisklyintotheroom.MrBlattwaslooking
hot.Hewaswipingtheperspirationfromhisforehead.Hisbigheartyvoicebillowedoutandfilledthe
smallroom."Justthisminutegotbackandheardthenews!YoutheChiefConstable?Theytoldmeyou
wereinhere.Myname'sBlatt-HoraceBlatt.AnywayIcanhelpyou?Don'tsupposeso.I'vebeenout
inmyboatsinceearlythismorning.Missedthewholeblinkingshow.Theonedaythatsomethingdoes
happeninthisout-of-the-wayspot,I'mnotthere.Justlikelife,that,isn'tit?Hullo,Poirot,didn'tseeyou
atfirst.Soyou'reinonthis?Oh,well,Isupposeyouwouldbe.SherlockHolmesv.thelocalpolice,is
thatit?Ha,ha!Lestrade-allthatstuff.I'llenjoyseeingyoudoabitoffancysleuthing."

Mr Blatt came to anchor in a chair, pulled out a cigarette case and offered it to Colonel Weston who
shookhishead.Hesaid,withaslightsmile:"I'maninveteratepipesmoker."

"Samehere.Ismokecigarettesaswell-butnothingbeatsapipe."

ColonelWestonsaidwithsuddengeniality:"Thenlightup,man."

Blattshookhishead."Notgotmypipeonmeatthemoment.Butputmewiseaboutallthis.AllI've
heardsofaristhatMrsMarshallwasfoundmurderedononeofthebeacheshere."

"OnPixyCove,"saidColonelWeston,watchinghim.

ButMrBlattmerelyaskedexcitedly:"Andshewasstrangled?"

"Yes,MrBlatt."

"Nasty-verynasty.Mindyou,sheaskedforit!Hotstuff-trèsmoutarde-eh,M.Poirot?Anyideawho
didit,ormustn'tIaskthat?"

With a faint smile Colonel Weston said: "Well, you know, it's we who are supposed to ask the
questions."

MrBlattwavedhiscigarette."Sorry-sorry-mymistake.Goahead."

"Youwentoutsailingthismorning.Atwhattime?"

"Lefthereataquartertoten."

"Wasanyonewithyou?"

"Notasoul.Allonmylittlelonesome."

"Andwheredidyougo?"

"AlongthecoastinthedirectionofPlymouth.Tooklunchwithme.NotmuchwindsoIdidn'tactually
getveryfar."

Afteranotherquestionortwo,Westonasked:"NowabouttheMarshalls?Doyouknowanythingthat
mighthelpus?"

"Well,I'vegivenyoumyopinion.Crimepassionnel!AllIcantellyouis,itwasn'tme!ThefairArlena
hadnouseforme.Nothingdoinginthatquarter.Shehadherownblue-eyedboy!Andifyouaskme,
Marshallwasgettingwisetoit."

"Haveyouanyevidenceforthat?"

"SawhimgiveyoungRedfernadirtylookonceortwice.Darkhorse,Marshall.Looksverymeekand
mildandasthoughhewerehalfasleepallthetime-butthat'snothisreputationintheCity.I'vehearda
thingortwoabouthim.Nearlyhadupforassaultonce.Mindyou,thefellowinquestionhadputupa
pretty dirty deal. Marshall had trusted him and the fellow had let him down cold. Particularly dirty
business,Ibelieve.Marshallwentforhimandhalfkilledhim.Fellowdidn'tprosecute-tooafraidof
whatmightcomeout.Igiveyouthatforwhatit'sworth."

"Soyouthinkitpossible,"saidPoirot,"thatCaptainMarshallstrangledhiswife?"

"Notatall.Neversaidanythingofthesort.Justlettingyouknowthathe'sthesortoffellowwhocould
goberserkonoccasions."

Poirotsaid:"MrBlatt,thereisreasontobelievethatMrsMarshallwentthismorningtoPixyCoveto
meetsomeone.Haveyouanyideawhothatsomeonemightbe?"

MrBlattwinked."It'snotaguess.It'sacertainty.Redfern!"

"ItwasnotMrRedfern."

MrBlattseemedtakenaback.Hesaidhesitatingly:"ThenIdon'tknow...No,Ican'timagine..."Hewent
on,regainingalittleofhisaplomb."AsIsaidbefore,itwasn'tme!Nosuchluck!Letmesee,couldn't
havebeenGardener-hiswifekeepsfartoosharpaneyeonhim!ThatoldassBarry?Rot!Anditwould
hardly be the parson. Although, mind you, I've seen his Reverence watching her a good bit. All holy
disapproval,butperhapsaneyeforthecontoursallthesame!Eh?Lotofhypocrites,mostparsons.Did
youreadthecaselastmonth?ParsonandtheChurchwarden'sdaughter?Bitofaneyeopener."MrBlatt
chuckled.

ColonelWestonsaidcoldly:"Thereisnothingyoucanthinkofthatmighthelpus?"

The other shook his head. "No. Can't think of a thing." He added: "This will make a bit of a stir, I
imagine. The press will be on to it like hot cakes. There won't be quite so much of this high-toned
exclusivenessabouttheJollyRogerinfuture.JollyRoger,indeed.Preciouslittlejollityaboutit."

HerculePoirotmurmured:"Youhavenotenjoyedyourstayhere?"

MrBlatt'sfacegotslightlyredder.Hesaid:"Well,no,Ihaven't.Thesailing'sallrightandthescenery
andtheserviceandthefood-butthere'snomateynessintheplace,youknowwhatImean!WhatIsay
is,mymoney'sasgoodasanotherman's.We'reallheretoenjoyourselves.Thenwhynotgettogether
and do it? All these cliques and people sitting by themselves and giving you frosty Good-mornings -
andGood-evenings-andYes,verypleasantweather.Nojoydeviver.Lotofstuck-updummies!"Mr
Blattpaused-bynowveryredindeed.Hewipedhisforeheadoncemoreandsaidapologetically:"Don't
payanyattentiontome.Igetallworkedup."

HerculePoirotmurmured:"AndwhatdowethinkofMrBlatt?"

ColonelWestongrinnedandsaid:"Whatdoyouthinkofhim?You'veseenmoreofhimthanIhave."

Poirotsaidsoftly:"TherearemanyofyourEnglishidiomsthatdescribehim.Theroughdiamond!The
self-mademan!Thesocialclimber!Heis,asyouchoosetolookatit,pathetic,ludicrous,blatant!Itisa
matterofopinion.ButIthink,too,thatheissomethingelse."

"Andwhatisthat?"

HerculePoirot,hiseyesraisedtotheceiling,murmured:"Ithinkthatheis-nervous!"

Inspector Colgate said: "I've got those times worked out. From the hotel to the ladder down to Pixy
Covethreeminutes.That'swalkingtillyouareoutofsightofthehotelandthenrunninglikehell."

Westonraisedhiseyebrows.Hesaid:"That'squickerthanIthought."

"Downladdertobeachoneminuteandthreequarters.Upsametwominutes.That'sP.C.Flint.He'sabit
of an athlete. Walking and taking the ladder in the normal way the whole business takes close to a
quarterofanhour."

Westonnodded.Hesaid:"There'sanotherthingwemustgointo,thepipequestion."

Colgatesaid:"Blattsmokesapipe,sodoesMarshall,sodoestheparson.Redfernsmokescigarettes,the
Americanprefersacigar.MajorBarrydoesn'tsmokeatall.There'sonepipeinMarshall'sroom,twoin
Blatt's,andoneintheparson's.ChambermaidsaysMarshallhastwopipes.Theotherchambermaidisn't
averybrightgirl.Doesn'tknowhowmanypipestheothertwohave.Saysvaguelyshe'snoticedtwoor

threeaboutintheirrooms."

Westonnodded."Anythingelse?"

"I'vecheckeduponthestaff.TheyallseemquiteO.K.Henry,inthebar,checksMarshall'sstatement
aboutseeinghimattentoeleven.William,thebeachattendant,wasdownrepairingtheladderonthe
rocks most of the morning. He seems all right. George marked the tennis court and then bedded out
someplantsroundbythedining-room.Neitherofthemwouldhaveseenanyonewhocameacrossthe
causewaytotheisland."

"Whenwasthecausewayuncovered?"

"Roundabout9.30,sir."

Weston pulled at his moustache. "It's possible somebody did come that way. We've got a new angle,
Colgate."Hetoldofthediscoveryofthesandwichboxinthecave.Therewasataponthedoor.

"Comein,"saidWeston.

ItwasCaptainMarshall.Hesaid:"CanyoutellmewhatarrangementsIcanmakeaboutthefuneral?"

"Ithinkweshallmanagetheinquestforthedayaftertomorrow.CaptainMarshall."

"Thankyou."

InspectorColgatesaid:"Excuseme,sir,allowmetoreturnyouthese."Hehandedoverthethreeletters.

KennethMarshallsmiledrathersardonically.Hesaid:"Hasthepolicedepartmentbeentestingthespeed
ofmytyping?Ihopemycharacteriscleared."

ColonelWestonsaidpleasantly:"Yes,CaptainMarshall,Ithinkwecangiveyouacleanbillofhealth.
Thosesheetstakefullyanhourtotype.Moreover,youwereheardtypingthembythechambermaidup
tillfiveminutestoelevenandyouwereseenbyanotherwitnessattwentyminutespast."

CaptainMarshallmurmured:"Really?Thatallseemsverysatisfactory!"

"Yes.MissDarnleycametoyourroomattwentyminutespasteleven.Youweresobusytypingthatyou
didnotobserveherentry."

KennethMarshall'sfacetookonanimpassiveexpression.Hesaid:"DoesMissDarnleysaythat?"He
paused."Asamatteroffactsheiswrong.Ididseeher,thoughshemaynotbeawareofthefact.Isaw
herinthemirror."

Poirotmurmured:"Butyoudidnotinterruptyourtyping?"

Marshallsaidshortly:"No.Iwantedtogetfinished."Hepausedaminute,theninanabruptvoice,he
said:"NothingmoreIcandoforyou?"

"No,thankyou.CaptainMarshall."

KennethMarshallnoddedandwentout.Westonsaidwithasigh:"Theregoesourmosthopefulsuspect
-cleared!Hullo,here'sNeasdon."

Thedoctorcameinwithatraceofexcitementinhismanner.Hesaid:"That'sanicelittledeathlotyou
sentmealong."

"Whatisit?"

"Whatisit?Diamorphinehydrochloride.Stuffthat'susuallycalledheroin."

Inspector Colgate whistled. He said: "Now we're getting places, all right! Depend upon it, this dope
stuntisatthebottomofthewholebusiness."

Chapter10

The little crowd of people flocked out of The Red Bull. The brief inquest was over - adjourned for a
fortnight. Rosamund Darnley joined Captain Marshall. She said in a low voice: "That wasn't so bad,
wasit,Ken?"

Hedidnotansweratonce.Perhapshewasconsciousofthestaringeyesofthevillagers,thefingersthat
nearlypointedtohimandonlyjustdidnotquitedoso!

"That's'im,mydear.""See,that's'er'usband""Thatbethe'usband.""Look,there'egoes..."

Themurmurswerenotloudenoughtoreachhisears,buthewasnonethelesssensitivetothem.This
was the modern day pillory. The press he had already encountered - self-confident, persuasive young
men,adeptatbatteringdownhiswallofsilence,of"Nothingtosay"thathehadendeavouredtoerect.
Even the curt monosyllables that he had uttered thinking that they at least could not lead to
misapprehensionhadreappearedinthismorning'spapersinatotallydifferentguise."Askedwhetherhe
agreedthatthemysteryofhiswife'sdeathcouldonlybeexplainedontheassumptionthatahomicidal
murdererhadfoundhiswayontotheisland,CaptainMarshalldeclaredthat-"andsoonandsoforth.

Cameras had clicked ceaselessly. Now, at this minute, the well-known sound caught his ear. He half
turned-asmilingyoungmanwasnoddingcheerfully,hispurposeaccomplished.

Rosamundmurmured:"CaptainMarshallandafriendleavingTheRedBullaftertheinquest."Marshall
winced.Rosamundsaid:"It'snouse,Ken!You'vegottofaceit!Idon'tmeanjustthefactofArlena's
death - I mean all the attendant beastliness. The staring eyes and gossiping tongues, the fatuous
interviewsinthepapers-andthebestwaytomeetitistofinditfunny!Comeoutwithalltheoldinane
clichésandcurlasardoniclipatthem."

Hesaid:"Isthatyourway?"

"Yes."Shepaused."Itisn'tyours,Iknow.Protectivecolouringisyourline.Remainrigidlynon-active
andfadeintothebackground!Butyoucan'tdothathere-you'venobackgroundtofadeinto.Youstand
out clear for all to see - like a striped tiger against a white backcloth. The husband of the murdered
woman!"

"ForGod'ssake,Rosamund-"

Shesaidgently:"Mydear,I'mtryingtobegoodforyou!"

Theywalkedforafewstepsinsilence.ThenMarshallsaidinadifferentvoice:"Iknowyouare.I'mnot
reallyungrateful,Rosamund."

They had progressed beyond the limits of the village. Eyes followed them but there was no one very
near.RosamundDarnley'svoicedroppedassherepeatedavariantofherfirstremark."Itdidn'treallygo
sobadly,didit?"

Hewassilentforamoment,thenhesaid:"Idon'tknow."

"Whatdothepolicethink?"

"They'renoncommittal."

AfteraminuteRosamundsaid:"Thatlittleman-Poirot-ishereallytakinganactiveinterest?"

KennethMarshallsaid:"SeemedtobesittingintheChiefConstable'spocketallrighttheotherday."

"Iknow-butishedoinganything?"

"HowthehellshouldIknow,Rosamund?"

Shesaidthoughtfully:"He'sprettyold.Probablymoreorlessgaga."

"Perhaps."

Theycametothecauseway.Oppositethem,sereneinthesun,laytheisland.Rosamundsaidsuddenly:
"Sometimes-thingsseemunreal.Ican'tbelieve,thisminute,thatiteverhappened..."

Marshallsaidslowly:"IthinkIknowwhatyoumean.Natureisso-regardless!Oneanttheless-that's
allitisinNature!"

Rosamundsaid:"Yes-andthat'stheproperwaytolookatitreally."

Hegaveheroneveryquickglance.Thenhesaidinalowvoice:"Don'tworry,mydear.It'sallright.It's
allright."

Lindacamedowntothecausewaytomeetthem.Shemovedwiththespasmodicjerkinessofanervous
colt.Heryoungfacewasmarredbydeepblackshadowsunderhereyes.Herlipsweredryandrough.
Shesaidbreathlessly:"Whathappened-what-whatdidtheysay?"

Herfathersaidabruptly:"Inquestadjournedforafortnight."

"Thatmeansthey-theyhaven'tdecided?"

"Yes.Moreevidenceisneeded."

"But-butwhatdotheythink?"

Marshallsmiledalittleinspiteofhimself."Oh,mydearchild-whoknows?Andwhomdoyoumean
by they? The Coroner, the jury, the police, the newspaper reporters, the fishing folk of Leathercombe
Bay?"

Lindasaidslowly:"IsupposeImean-thepolice."

Marshallsaiddrily:"Whateverthepolicethink,they'renotgivingitawayatpresent."Hislipsclosed
tightlyafterthesentence.Hewentintothehotel.

AsRosamundDarnleywasabouttofollowsuit,Lindasaid:"Rosamund!"

Rosamundturned.Themuteappealinthegirl'sunhappyfacetouchedher.Shelinkedherarmthrough
Linda'sandtogethertheywalkedawayfromthehotel,takingthepaththatledtotheextremeendofthe
island.

Rosamundsaidgently:"Trynottomindsomuch,Linda.Iknowit'sallveryterribleandashockandall
that,butit'snousebroodingoverthesethings.Anditcanbeonlythe-thehorrorofit,thatisworrying

you.Youweren'tintheleastfondofArlena,youknow."

Shefeltthetremorthatranthroughthegirl'sbodyasLindaanswered:"No,Iwasn'tfondofher..."

Rosamundwenton:"Sorrowforapersonisdifferent-onecan'tputthatbehindone.Butonecanget
overshockandhorrorbyjustnotlettingyourminddwellonitallthetime."

Lindasaidsharply:"Youdon'tunderstand."

"IthinkIdo,mydear."

Linda shook her head. "No, you don't. You don't understand in the least - and Christine doesn't
understandeither!Bothofyouhavebeennicetome,butyoucan'tunderstandwhatI'mfeeling.Youjust
thinkit'smorbid-thatI'mdwellingonitallwhenIneedn't."Shepaused."Butitisn'tthatatall.Ifyou
knewwhatIknow-"

Rosamundstoppeddead.Herbodydidnottremble-onthecontraryitstiffened.Shestoodforaminute
ortwo,thenshedisengagedherarmfromLinda's.Shesaid:"Whatisitthatyouknow,Linda?"

Thegirlgazedather.Thensheshookherhead.Shemuttered:"Nothing."

Rosamundcaughtherbythearm.ThegriphurtandLindawincedslightly.Rosamundsaid:"Becareful,
Linda.Bedamnedcareful."

Lindahadgonedeadwhite.Shesaid:"Iamverycareful-allthetime."

Rosamundsaidurgently:"Listen,Linda,whatIsaidaminuteortwoagoappliesjustthesame-onlya
hundredtimesmoreso.Putthewholebusinessoutofyourmind.Neverthinkaboutit.Forget-forget...
Youcanifyoutry!Arlenaisdeadandnothingcanbringherbacktolife...Forgeteverythingandlivein
thefuture.Andaboveall,holdyourtongue."

Lindashrankalittle.Shesaid:"You-youseemtoknowallaboutit?"

Rosamundsaidenergetically:"Idon'tknowanything!Inmyopinionawanderingmaniacgotontothe
island and killed Arlena. That's much the most probable solution. I'm fairly sure that the police will

havetoacceptthatintheend.That'swhatmusthavehappened!That'swhatdidhappen!"

Lindasaid:"IfFather-"

Rosamundinterruptedher."Don'ttalkaboutit."

Lindasaid:"I'vegottosayonething.MyMother-"

"Well,whatabouther?"

"She-shewastriedformurder,wasn'tshe?"

"Yes."

Lindasaidslowly:"AndthenFathermarriedher.Thatlooks,doesn'tit,asthoughFatherdidn'treally
thinkmurderwasverywrong-notalways,thatis."

Rosamundsaidsharply:"Don'tsaythingslikethat-eventome!Thepolicehaven'tgotanythingagainst
yourfather.He'sgotanalibi-analibithattheycan'tbreak.He'sperfectlysafe."

Lindawhispered:"DidtheythinkatfirstthatFather-?"

Rosamundcried:"Idon'tknowwhattheythought!Buttheyknownowthathecouldn'thavedoneit.Do
you understand? He couldn't have done it." She spoke with authority, her eyes commanded Linda's
acquiescence.Thegirlutteredalongflutteringsigh.Rosamundsaid:"You'llbeabletoleaveheresoon.
You'llforgeteverything-everything!"

Lindasaidwithsuddenunexpectedviolence:"Ishallneverforget."Sheturnedabruptlyandranbackto
thehotel.Rosamundstaredafterher.

"ThereissomethingIwanttoknow,Madame?"

ChristineRedfernglancedupatPoirotinaslightlyabstractedmanner.Shesaid:"Yes?"

Hercule Poirot took very little notice of her abstraction. He had noted the way her eyes followed her
husband'sfigurewherehewaspacingupanddownontheterraceoutsidethebar,butforthemomenthe
hadnointerestinpurelyconjugalproblems.Hewantedinformation.Hesaid:"Yes,Madame.Itwasa
phrase-achancephraseofyourstheotherdaywhichrousedmyattention."

Christine,hereyestillonPatrick,said:"Yes?WhatdidIsay?"

"ItwasinanswertoaquestionfromtheChiefConstable.YoudescribedhowyouwentintoMissLinda
Marshall's room on the morning of the crime and how you found her absent from it and how she
returnedthereanditwasthenthattheChiefConstableaskedyouwhereshehadbeen."

Christinesaidratherimpatiently:"AndIsaidshehadbeenbathing?Isthatit?"

"Ah,butyoudidnotsayquitethat.Youdidnotsay'shehadbeenbathing.'Yourwordswere'shesaid
shehadbeenbathing.'"

Christinesaid:"It'sthesamething,surely."

"No, it is not the same! The form of your answer suggested a certain attitude of mind on your part.
LindaMarshallcameintotheroom-shewaswearingabathing-wrapandyet-forsomereason-you
did not at once assume she had been bathing. That is shown by your words 'she said she had been
bathing.'Whatwasthereaboutherappearance-wasithermanner,orsomethingthatshewaswearing
orsomethingshesaid,thatledyoutofeelsurprisedwhenshesaidshehadbeenbathing?"

Christine's attention left Patrick and focused itself entirely on Poirot. She was interested. She said:
"That'scleverofyou.It'squitetrue,nowIremember...Iwas,justfaintly,surprisedwhenLindasaidshe
hadbeenbathing."

"Butwhy,Madame,why?"

"Yes,why?That'sjustwhatI'mtryingtoremember.Oh,yes,Ithinkitwastheparcelinherhand."

"Shehadaparcel?"

"Yes."

"Youdonotknowwhatwasinit?"

"Oh,yes,Ido.Thestringbroke.Itwaslooselydoneupthewaytheydointhevillage.Itwascandles-
theywerescatteredonthefloor.Ihelpedhertopickthemup."

"Ah,"saidPoirot."Candles."

Christinestaredathim.Shesaid:"Youseemexcited,M.Poirot."

Poirotasked:"DidLindasaywhyshehadboughtcandles?"

Christinereflected."No,Idon'tthinkshedid.Isupposeitwastoreadbyatnight-perhapstheelectric
lightwasn'tgood."

"Onthecontrary,Madame,therewasabedsideelectriclampinperfectorder."

Christinesaid:"ThenIdon'tknowwhatshewantedthemfor."

Poirotsaid:"Whatwashermanner-whenthestringbrokeandthecandlesfelloutoftheparcel?"

Christinesaidslowly:"Shewas-upset-embarrassed."

Poirotnoddedhishead.Thenheasked:"Didyounoticeacalendarinherroom?"

"Acalendar?Whatkindofcalendar?"

Poirotsaid:"Possiblyagreencalendar-withtear-offleaves."

Christinescreweduphereyesinaneffortofmemory."Agreencalendar-ratherabrightgreen.Yes,I
have seen a calendar like that - but I can't remember where. It may have been in Linda's room, but I
can'tbesure."

"Butyouhavedefinitelyseensuchathing."

"Yes."AgainPoirotnodded.Christinesaidrathersharply:"Whatareyouhintingat,M.Poirot?Whatis
themeaningofallthis?"

ForanswerPoirotproducedasmallvolumeboundinfadedbrowncalf.Hesaid:"Haveyoueverseen
thisbefore?"

"Why-Ithink-I'mnotsure-yes,Lindawaslookingintoitinthevillagelendinglibrarytheotherday.
ButsheshutitupandthrustitbackquicklywhenIcameuptoher.Itmademewonderwhatitwas."

Silently Poirot displayed the tide. A History of Witchcraft, Sorcery and of the Compounding of
UntraceablePoisons.

Christinesaid:"Idon'tunderstand.Whatdoesallthismean?"

Poirotsaidgravely:"Itmaymean,Madame,agooddeal."

Shelookedathiminquiringly,buthedidnotgoon.Insteadhesaid:"Onemorequestion,Madame.Did
youtakeabaththatmorningbeforeyouwentouttoplaytennis?"

Christinestaredagain."Abath?No.IwouldhavehadnotimeandanywayIdidn'twantabath-not
beforetennis.Imighthavehadoneafter."

"Didyouuseyourbathroomatallwhenyoucamein?"

"Ispongedmyfaceandhands,that'sall."

"Youdidnotturnonthebathatall?"

"No,I'msureIdidn't."

Poirotnodded.Hesaid:"Itisofnoimportance."

HerculePoirotstoodbythetablewhereMrsGardenerwaswrestlingwithajigsaw.Shelookedupand
jumped."WhyM.Poirot,howveryquietlyyoucameupbesideme!Ineverheardyou.Haveyoujust
comebackfromtheinquest?Youknow,theverythoughtofthatinquestmakesmesonervous,Idon't
knowwhattodo.That'swhyI'mdoingthispuzzle.IjustfeltIcouldn'tsitoutsideonthebeachasusual.
As Mr Gardener knows, when my nerves are all upset, there's nothing like one of these puzzles for
calming me. There now, where does this white piece fit in? It must be part of the fur rug, but I don't
seemtosee..."

GentlyPoirot'shandtookthepiecefromher.Hesaid:"Itfits,Madame,here.Itispartofthecat."

"Itcan'tbe.It'sablackcat."

"Ablackcat,yes,butyouseethetipoftheblackcat'stailhappenstobewhite."

"Why,soitdoes!Howcleverofyou!ButIdothinkthepeoplewhomakepuzzlesarekindofmean.
Theyjustgooutoftheirwaytndeceiveyou."Shefittedinanotherpieceandthenresumed:"Youknow,
M.Poirot,I'vebeenwatchingyouthislastdayortwo.Ijustwantedtowatchyoudetectingifyouknow
whatImean-notthatitdoesn'tsoundratherheartlessputlikethat,asthoughitwereallagame-anda
poorcreaturekilled.Oh,dear,everytimeIthinkofitIgettheshivers!ItoldMrGardenerthismorning
I'djustgottogetawayfromhere,andnowtheinquest'soverhesayshethinkswe'llbeabletoleave
tomorrow,andthat'sablessing,I'msure.Butaboutdetecting,Iwouldsoliketoknowyourmethods-
youknow,I'dfeelprivilegedifyou'djustexplainittome."

Hercule Poirot said: "It is a little like your puzzle, Madame. One assembles the pieces. It is like a
mosaic-manycoloursandpatterns-andeverystrange-shapedlittlepiecemustbefittedintoitsown
place."

"Nowisn'tthatinteresting?Why,I'msureyouexplainitjusttoobeautifully."

Poirot went on: "And sometimes it is like that piece of your puzzle just now. One arranges very
methodicallythepiecesofthepuzzle-onesortsthecolours-andthenperhapsapieceofonecolour
thatshouldfitinwith-say,thefurrug,fitsinsteadinablackcat'stail."

"Why,ifthatdoesn'tsoundtoofascinating!Andarethereagreatmanypieces,M.Poirot?"

"Yes, Madame. About every one here in this hotel has given me a piece for my puzzle. You amongst
them."

"Me?"MrsGardener'stonewasshrill.

"Yes,aremarkofyours,Madame,wasexceedinglyhelpful.Imightsayitwasilluminating."

"Well,ifthatisn'ttoolovely!Can'tyoutellmesomemore,M.Poirot?"

"Ah!Madame,Ireservetheexplanationsforthelastchapter."

MrsGardenermurmured:"Ifthatisn'tjusttoobad!"

HerculePoirottappedgentlyonthedoorofCaptainMarshall'sroom.Insidetherewasthesoundofa
typewriter. A curt "Come in" came from the room and Poirot entered. Captain Marshall's back was
turnedtohim.Hewassittingtypingatthetablebetweenthewindows.Hedidnotturnhisheadbuthis
eyesmetPoirot'sinthemirrorthathungonthewalldirectlyinfrontofhim.Hesaidirritably:"Well,M.
Poirot,whatisit?"

Poirotsaidquickly:"Athousandapologiesforintruding.Youarebusy?"

Marshallsaidshortly:"Iamrather."

Poirotsaid:"ItisonelittlequestionthatIwouldliketoaskyou."

Marshallsaid:"MyGod,I'msickofansweringquestions.I'veansweredthepolicequestions.Idon'tfeel
calledupontoansweryours."

Poirotsaid:"Mineisaverysimpleone.Onlythis.Onthemorningofyourwife'sdeath,didyouhavea
bathafteryoufinishedtypingandbeforeyouwentouttoplaytennis?"

"Abath?No,ofcourseIdidn't!Ihadabathonlyanhourearlier!"

HerculePoirotsaid:"Thankyou.Thatisall."

"Butlookhere-Oh-"theotherpausedirresolutely.Poirotwithdrewgentlyclosingthedoor.Kenneth
Marshallsaid:"Thefellow'scrazy!"

JustoutsidethebarPoirotencounteredMrGardener.Hewascarryingtwococktailsandwasclearlyon
hiswaytowhereMrsGardenerwasensconcedwithherjigsaw.HesmiledatPoirotingenialfashion.
"Caretojoinus,M.Poirot?"

Poirotshookhishead.Hesaid:"Whatdidyouthinkoftheinquest,MrGardener?"

MrGardenerloweredhisvoice.Hesaid:"Seemedkindofindeterminatetome.Yourpolice,Igather,
havegotsomethinguptheirsleeves."

"Itispossible,"saidHerculePoirot.

Mr Gardener lowered his voice still further. "I shall be glad to get Mrs Gardener away. She's a very,
verysensitivewoman,andthisaffairhasgotonhernerves.She'sveryhighlystrung."

HerculePoirotsaid:"Willyoupermitme,MrGardener,toaskyouonequestion?"

"Why,certainly,M.Poirot.DelightedtoassistyouinanywayIcan."

Hercule Poirot said: "You are a man of the world - a man, I think, of considerable acumen. What,
frankly,wasyouropinionofthelateMrsMarshall?"

MrGardener'seyebrowsroseinsurprise.Heglancedcautiouslyroundandloweredhisvoice."Well,M.
Poirot,I'veheardafewthingsthathavebeenkindofgoingaround,ifyougetme,especiallyamongthe
women."Poirotnodded."ButifyouaskmeI'lltellyoumycandidopinionandthatisthatthatwoman
wasprettymuchofadarnedfool!"

HerculePoirotsaidthoughtfully:"Nowthatisveryinteresting."

RosamundDarnleysaid:"Soit'smyturn,isit?"

"Pardon?"

Shelaughed."TheotherdaytheChiefConstableheldhisinquisition.Yousatby.Today,Ithink,youare
conducting your own unofficial inquiry. I've been watching you. First Mrs Redfern, then I caught a
glimpse of you through the lounge window where Mrs Gardener is doing her hateful jig saw puzzle.
Nowit'smyturn."

Hercule Poirot sat down beside her. They were on Sunny Ledge. Below them the sea showed a deep
glowing green. Further out it was a pale dazzling blue. Poirot said: "You are very intelligent,
Mademoiselle. I have thought so ever since I arrived here. It would be a pleasure to discuss this
businesswithyou."

RosamundDarnleysaidsoftly:"YouwanttoknowwhatIthinkaboutthewholething?"

"Itwouldbemostinteresting."

Rosamundsaid:"Ithinkit'sreallyverysimple.Theclueisinthewoman'spast."

"Thepast?Notthepresent?"

"Oh!Notnecessarilytheveryremotepast!Ilookatitlikethis.ArlenaMarshallwasattractive,fatally
attractive, to men. It's possible, I think, that she also tired of them rather quickly. Amongst her -
followers,shallwesay-wasonewhoresentedthat.Oh,don'tmisunderstandme,itwon'tbesomeone
whosticksoutamile.Probablysometepidlittleman,vainandsensitive-thekindofmanwhobroods.
Ithinkhefollowedherdownhere,waitedhisopportunityandkilledher."

"Youmeanthathewasanoutsider,thathecamefromthemainland?"

"Yes.Heprobablyhidinthatcaveuntilhegothischance."

Poirotshookhishead.Hesaid:"Wouldshegotheretomeetsuchamanasyoudescribe?No,shewould
laughandnotgo."

Rosamundsaid:"Shemayn'thaveknownshewasgoingtomeethim.Hemayhavesentheramessage
insomeotherperson'sname."

Poirot murmured: "That is possible." Then he said: "But you forget one thing, Mademoiselle. A man
bentonmurdercouldnotriskcominginbroaddaylightacrossthecausewayandpastthehotel.Some
onemighthaveseenhim."

"Theymighthave-butIdon'tthinkthatit'scertain.Ithinkit'squitepossiblethathecouldhavecome
withoutanyonenoticinghimatall."

"Itwouldbepossible,yes,thatIgrantyou.Butthepointisthathecouldnotcountonthatpossibility."

Rosamundsaid:"Aren'tyouforgettingsomething?Theweather."

"Theweather?"

"Yes.Thedayofthemurderwasagloriousdaybutthedaybefore,remember,therewasrainandthick
mist.Anyonecouldcomeontotheislandthenwithoutbeingseen.Hehadonlytogodowntothebeach
andspendthenightinthecave.Thatmist,M.Poirot,isimportant."

Poirotlookedatherthoughtfullyforaminuteortwo.Hesaid:"Youknow,thereisagooddealinwhat
youhavejustsaid."

Rosamundflushed.Shesaid:"That'smytheory,forwhatitisworth.Nowtellmeyours."

"Ah," said Hercule Poirot. He stared down at the sea. "Eh bien, Mademoiselle. I am a very simple
person. I always incline to the belief that the most likely person committed the crime. At the very
beginningitseemedtomethatonlyonepersonwasveryclearlyindicated."

Rosamund'svoicehardenedalittle.Shesaid:"Goon."

Hercule Poirot went on. "But you see, there is what you call a snag in the way! It seems that it was
impossibleforthatpersontohavecommittedthecrime."

Heheardthequickexpulsionofherbreath.Shesaidratherbreathlessly:"Well?"

HerculePoirotshruggedhisshoulders."Well,whatdowedoaboutit?Thatismyproblem."Hepaused
andthenwenton."MayIaskyouaquestion?"

"Certainly."

Shefacedhim,alertandvigilant.Butthequestionthatcamewasanunexpectedone."Whenyoucame
intochangefortennisthatmorning,didyouhaveabath?"

Rosamundstaredathim."Abath?Whatdoyoumean?"

"ThatiswhatImean.Abath!Thereceptacleofporcelain,oneturnsthetapsandfillsit,onegetsin,one
getsoutandghoosh-ghoosh-ghoosh,thewatergoesdownthewastepipe!"

"M.Poirot,areyouquitemad?"

"No,Iamextremelysane."

"Well,anyway,Ididn'ttakeabath."

"Ha!"saidPoirot."Sonobodytookabath.Thatisextremelyinteresting."

"Butwhyshouldanyonetakeabath?"

HerculePoirotsaid:"Why,indeed?"

Rosamundsaidwithsomeexasperation:"IsupposethisistheSherlockHolmestouch!"

Hercule Poirot smiled. Then he sniffed the air delicately. "Will you permit me to be impertinent.
Mademoiselle?"

"I'msureyoucouldn'tbeimpertinent,M.Poirot."

"Thatisverykindofyou.ThenmayIventuretosaythatthescentyouuseisdelicious-ithasanuance
-adelicateelusivecharm."Hewavedhishands,andthenaddedinapracticalvoice,"Gabrielle,No.8,I
think?"

"Howcleveryouare.Yes,Ialwaysuseit."

"SodidthelateMrsMarshall.Itischic,eh?Andveryexpensive?"Rosamundshruggedhershoulders
withafaintsmile.Poirotsaid:"Yousatherewherewearenow,Mademoiselle,onthemorningofthe
crime.Youwereseenhere,oratleastyoursunshadewasseenbyMissBrewsterandMrRedfernasthey

passedonthesea.Duringthemorning.Mademoiselle,areyousureyoudidnothappentogodownto
Pixy'sCoveandenterthecavethere-thefamousPixy'sCave?"

Rosamundturnedherheadanstaredathim.Shesaidinaquietvoice:"AreyouaskingmeifIkilled
ArlenaMarshall?"

"No.IamaskingyouifyouwentintothePixy'sCave?"

"Idon'tevenknowwhereitis.WhyshouldIgointoit?Forwhatreason?"

"Onthedayofthecrime.Mademoiselle,somebodyhadbeeninthatcavewhousedGabrielleNo.8."

Rosamundsaidsharply:"You'vejustsaidyourself,M.Poirot,thatArlenaMarshallusedGabrielleNo.
8.Shewasonthebeachthatday.Presumablyshewentintothecave."

"Whyshouldshegointothecave?Itisdarkthereandnarrowandveryuncomfortable."

Rosamundsaidimpatiently:"Don'taskmeforreasons.Sinceshewasactuallyatthecoveshewasby
farthemostlikelyperson.I'vetoldyoualreadyIneverleftthisplacethewholemorning."

"ExceptforthetimewhenyouwentintothehoteltoCaptainMarshall'sroom,"Poirotremindedher.

"Yes,ofcourse.I'dforgottenthat."

Poirotsaid:"Andyouwerewrong,Mademoiselle,whenyouthoughtthatCaptainMarshalldidnotsee
you."

Rosamundsaidincredulously:"Kennethdidseeme?Did-didhesayso?"

Poirotnodded."Hesawyou,Mademoiselle,inthemirrorthathangsoverthetable."

Rosamundcaughtherbreath.Shesaid:"Oh!Isee."

Poirot was no longer looking out to sea. He was looking at Rosamund Darnley's hands as they lay
foldedinherlap.Theywerewell-shapedhands,beautifullymouldedwithverylongfingers.Rosamund,
shooting a quick look at him, followed the direction of his eyes. She said sharply: "What are you
lookingatmyhandsfor?Doyouthink-doyouthink-?"

Poirotsaid:"DoIthink-what,Mademoiselle?"

RosamundDarnleysaid:"Nothing."

ItwasperhapsanhourlaterthatHerculePoirotcametothetopofthepathleadingtoGullCove.There
wassomeonesittingonthebeach.Aslightfigureinaredshirtanddarkblueshorts.Poirotdescended
thepath,steppingcarefullyinhistightsmartshoes.LindaMarshallturnedherheadsharply.Hethought
that she shrank a little. Her eyes, as he came and lowered himself gingerly to the shingle beside her-
restedonhimwiththesuspicionandalertnessofatrappedanimal.Herealized,withapang,howyoung
andvulnerableshewas.Shesaid:"Whatisit?Whatdoyouwant?"

Hercule Poirot did not answer for a minute or two. Then he said: "The other day you told the Chief
Constablethatyouwerefondofyourstepmotherandthatshewaskindtoyou."

"Well?"

"Thatwasnottrue,wasit,Mademoiselle?"

"Yes,itwas."

Poirotsaid:"Shemaynothavebeenactivelyunkind-thatIwillgrantyou.Butyouwerenotfondof
her-oh,no-Ithinkyoudislikedherverymuch.Thatwasveryplaintosee."

Linda said: "Perhaps I didn't like her very much. But one can't say that when a person is dead. It
wouldn'tbedecent."

Poirotsighed.Hesaid:"Theytaughtyouthatatyourschool?"

"Moreorless,Isuppose."

HerculePoirotsaid:"Whenapersonhasbeenmurdered,itismoreimportanttobetruthfulthantobe

decent."

Lindasaid:"Isupposeyouwouldsayathinglikethat."

"IwouldsawitandIdosayit.Itismybusiness,yousee,tofindoutwhokilledArlenaMarshall."

Lindamuttered:"Iwanttoforgetitall.It'ssohorrible."

Poirotsaidgently:"Butyoucan'tforget,canyou?"

Lindasaid:"Isupposesomebeastlymadmankilledher."

HerculePoirotmurmured:"No,Idonotthinkitwasquitelikethat."

Lindacaughtherbreath.Shesaid:"Yousound-asthoughyouknew?"

Poirotsaid:"PerhapsIdoknow."Hepausedandwenton,"Willyoutrustme,mychild,todothebestI
canforyouinyourbittertrouble?"

Lindasprangup.Shesaid:"Ihaven'tanytrouble.Thereisnothingyoucandoforme.Idon'tknowwhat
youaretalkingabout."

Poirotsaid,watchingher:"Iamtalkingaboutcandles..."

Hesawtheterrorleapintohereyes.Shecried:"Iwon'tlistentoyou.Iwon'tlisten."Sheranacrossthe
beach,swiftasayounggazelle,andwentflyingupthezigzagpath.

Poirotshookhishead.Helookedgraveandtroubled.

Chapter11

InspectorColgatewasreportingtotheChiefConstable.

"I've got on to one thing, sir, and something pretty sensational. It's about Mrs Marshall's money. I've
beenintoitwithherlawyers.I'dsayit'sabitofashocktothem.I'vegotproofoftheblackmailstory.
You remember she was left fifty thousand pounds by old Erskine? Well, all that's left of that is about
fifteenthousand."

TheChiefConstablewhistled."Whew,what'sbecomeoftherest?"

"That'stheinterestingpoint,sir.She'ssoldoutstufffromtimetotime,andeachtimeshe'shandleditin
cash or negotiable securities - that's to say she's handed out money to some one that she didn't want
traced.Blackmailallright."

The Chief Constable nodded. "Certainly looks like it. And the blackmailer is here in this hotel. That
meansitmustbeoneofthosethreemen.Gotanythingfreshonanyofthem?"

"Can'tsayI'vegotanythingdefinite,sir.MajorBarry'saretiredArmyman,ashesays.Livesinasmall
flat,hasapensionandasmallincomefromstocks.Buthe'spaidinprettyconsiderablesumsintohis
accountsinthelastyear."

"Thatsoundspromising.What'shisexplanation?"

"Saysthey'rebettinggains.It'sperfectlytruethathegoestoallthelargeracemeetings.Placeshisbets
onthecoursetoo,doesn'trunanaccount."

TheChiefConstablenodded."Hardtodisprovethat,"hesaid."Butit'ssuggestive."

Colgatewenton:"Next,theReverendStephenLane.He'sbonafideallright-hadalivingatStHelen's,
Whiteridge,Surrey-resignedhislivingjustoverayearagoowingtoill-health.Hisill-healthamounted
tohisgoingintoanursinghomeformentalpatients.Hewasthereforoverayear."

"Interesting,"saidWeston.

"Yes,sir.ItriedtogetasmuchasIcouldoutofthedoctorinchargebutyouknowwhatthesemedicos
are-it'sdifficulttopinthemdowntoanythingyoucangetholdof.

ButasfarasIcanmakeout,hisReverence'stroublewasanobsessionabouttheDevil-especiallythe
Devilintheguiseofwoman-scarletwoman-whoreofBabylon."

"H'm,"saidWeston."Therehavebeenprecedentsformurderthere."

"Yes,sir.ItseemstomethatStephenLaneisatleastapossibility.ThelateMrsMarshallwasapretty
goodexampleofwhataclergymanwouldcallaScarletWoman-hairandgoings-onandall.Seemsto
me it's not impossible he may have felt it his appointed task to dispose of her. That is if he is really
batty."

"Nothingtofitinwiththeblackmailtheory?"

"No,sir.Ithinkwecanwashhimoutasfarasthat'sconcerned.Hassomeprivatemeansofhisown,but
notverymuch,andnosuddenincreaselately."

"Whatabouthisstoryofhismovementsonthedayofthecrime?"

"Can'tgetanyconfirmationofthem.Nobodyremembersmeetingaparsoninthelanes.Astothebook
at the church, the last entry was three days before and nobody looked at it for about a fortnight. He
could have quite easily gone over the day before, say, or even a couple of days before, and dated his
entrythe25th."

Westonnodded.Hesaid:"Andthethirdman?"

"HoraceBlatt?It'smyopinion,sir,thatthere'sdefinitelysomethingfishythere.Paysincometaxona
sumfarexceedingwhathemakesoutofhishardwarebusiness.Andmindyou,he'saslipperycustomer.
Hecouldprobablycookupareasonablestatement-hegamblesabitontheStockExchangeandhe'sin
withoneortwoshadydeals.Oh,yes,theremaybeplausibleexplanations,butthere'snogettingaway
fromitthathe'sbeenmakingprettybigsumsfromunexplainedsourcesforsomeyearsnow."

"Infact,"saidWeston,"theideaisthatMrHoraceBlattisasuccessfulblackmailerbyprofession?"

"Eitherthat,sir,orit'sdope.IsawChiefInspectorRidgewaywho'sinchargeofthedopebusiness,and
hewasnoendkeen.Seemsthere'sbeenagoodbitofheroincominginlately.They'reontothesmall
distributorsandtheyknowmoreorlesswho'srunningittheotherend,butit'sthewayit'scominginto
thecountrythat'sbaffledthemsofar."

Weston said: "If the Marshall woman's death is the result of her getting mixed up, innocently or
otherwise,withthedope-runningstunt,thenwe'dbetterhandthewholethingovertoScotlandYard.It's

theirpigeon.Eh?Whatdoyousay?"

InspectorColgatesaidratherregretfully:"I'mafraidyou'reright,sir.Ifit'sdope,thenit'sacaseforthe
Yard."

Westonsaidafteramomentortwo'sthought:"Itreallyseemsthemostlikelyexplanation."

Colgatenoddedgloomily."Yes,itdoes.Marshall'srightoutofit-thoughIdidgetsomeinformation
thatmighthavebeenusefulifhisalibihadn'tbeensogood.Seemshisfirmisveryneartherocks.Not
hisfaultorhispartner's,justthegeneralresultofthecrisislastyearandthegeneralstateoftradeand
finance. And as far as he knew, he'd come into fifty thousand pounds if his wife died. And fifty
thousandwouldhavebeenaveryusefulsum."Hesighed."Seemsapitywhenaman'sgottwoperfectly
goodmotivesformurder,thathecanbeprovedtohavenothingtodowithit!"

Weston smiled. "Cheer up, Colgate. There's still a chance we may distinguish ourselves. There's the
blackmailanglestillandthere'sthebattyparson,butpersonallyIthinkthedopesolutionisfarthemost
likely."Headded:"Andifitwasoneofthedopegangwhoputheroutwe'llhavebeeninstrumentalin
helpingScotlandYardtosolvethedopeproblem.Infact,takeitallround,onewayoranother,we've
doneprettywell."

AnunwillingsmileshowedonColgate'sface.Hesaid:"Well,that'sthelot,sir.Bytheway,Ichecked
uponthewriterofthatletterwefoundinherroom.TheonesignedJ.N.Nothingdoing.He'sinChina
safeenough.SamechapasMissBrewsterwastellingusabout.Bitofayoungscallywag.I'vechecked
upontherestofMrsMarshall'sfriends.Noleadsthere.Everythingthereistoget,we'vegot,sir."

Weston said: "So now it's up to us." He paused and then added: "Seen anything of our Belgian
colleague?Doesheknowallyou'vetoldme?"

Colgatesaidwithagrin:"He'saqueerlittlecuss,isn'the?D'youknowwhatheaskedmedaybefore
yesterday?Hewantedparticularsofanycasesofstrangulationinthelastthreeyears."

ColonelWestonsatup."Hedid,didhe?NowIwonder-"hepausedaminute."Whendidyousaythe
ReverendStephenLanewentintothatmentalhome?"

"AyearagolastEaster,sir."

Colonel Weston was thinking deeply. He said: "There was a case - body of a young woman found

somewherenearBagshot.Goingtomeetherhusbandsomewhereandneverturnedup.Andtherewas
whatthepaperscalledtheLonelyCopseMystery.BothinSurreyifIrememberrightly."

HiseyesmetthoseofhisInspector.Colgatesaid:"Surrey?Myword,sir,itfits,doesn'tit?Iwonder..."

HerculePoirotsatontheturfonthesummitoftheisland.Alittletohisleftwasthebeginningofthe
steelladderthatleddowntoPixy'sCove.Therewereseveralroughbouldersneartheheadoftheladder,
henoted,formingeasyconcealmentforanyonewhoproposedtodescendtothebeachbelow.Ofthe
beachitselflittlecouldbeseenfromthetopowingtotheoverhangofthecliff.

HerculePoirotnoddedhisheadgravely.Thepiecesofhismosaicwerefittingintoposition.Mentallyhe
wentoverthosepiecesconsideringeachasadetacheditem.

AmorningonthebathingbeachsomefewdaysbeforeArlenaMarshall'sdeath.

One,two,three,four,five,separateremarksutteredthatmorning.

The evening of a bridge game. He, Patrick Redfern and Rosamund Darnley had been at the table.
Christinehadwanderedoutwhiledummyandhadoverheardacertainconversation.Whoelsehadbeen
intheloungeatthattime?Whohadbeenabsent?

Theeveningbeforethecrime.TheconversationhehadhadwithChristineonthecliffandthescenehe
hadwitnessedonhiswaybacktothehotel.

GabrielleNo.8.

Apairofscissors.

Abrokenpipe.

Abottlethrownfromawindow.

Agreencalendar.

Apacketofcandles.

Amirrorandatypewriter.

Askeinofmagentawool.

Agirl'swristwatch.

Bath-waterrushingdownthewaste-pipe.

Eachoftheseunrelatedfactsmustfitintoitsappointedplace.Theremustbenolooseends.Andthen,
witheachconcretefactfittedintoposition,ontothenextstep:hisownbeliefinthepresenceofevilon
theisland...Evil...Helookeddownatatypewrittenlistinhishands.NellieParsons-foundstrangledin
alonelycopsenearChobham.Nocluetohermurderereverdiscovered.NellieParsons?AliceCorrigan.
HereadverycarefullythedetailsofAliceCorrigan'sdeath.

To Hercule Poirot, sitting on the ledge overlooking the sea, came Inspector Colgate. Poirot liked
InspectorColgate.Helikedhisruggedface,hisshrewdeyes,andhisslowunhurriedmanner.Inspector
Colgate sat down. He said, glancing down at the typewritten sheets in Poirot's hand: "Done anything
withthosecases,sir?"

"Ihavestudiedthem-yes."

Colgategotup,hewalkedalongandpeeredintothenextniche.Hecameback,saying:"Onecan'tbe
toocareful.Don'twanttobeoverheard."

Poirotsaid:"Youarewise."

Colgate said: "I don't mind telling you, M. Poirot, that I've been interested in those cases myself -
though perhaps I shouldn't have thought about them if you hadn't asked for them." He paused. "I've
beeninterestedinonecaseinparticular."

"AliceCorrigan?"

"AliceCorrigan."Hepaused."I'vebeenontotheSurreypoliceaboutthatcase-wantedtogetallthe

insandoutsofit."

"Tellme,myfriend.Iaminterested-veryinterested."

"Ithoughtyoumightbe.AliceCorriganwasfoundstrangledinCaesar'sGroveonBlackridgeHeath-
not ten miles from Marley Copse where Nellie Parsons was found - and both those places are within
twelvemilesofWhiteridgewhereMrLanewasvicar."

Poirotsaid:"TellmemoreaboutthedeathofAliceCorrigan."

Colgate said: "The Surrey police didn't at first connect her death with that of Nellie Parsons. That's
becausethey'dpitchedonthehusbandastheguiltyparty.Don'tquiteknowwhyexceptthathewasabit
ofwhatthepresscallsa'mysteryman'-notmuchknownabouthim-whohewasorwherehecame
from.She'dmarriedhimagainstherpeople'swishes,she'dabitofmoneyofherown-andshe'dinsured
herlifeinhisfavour-allthatwasenoughtoraisesuspicion,asIthinkyou'llagree,sir?"Poirotnodded.

"Butwhenitcamedowntobrasstacksthehusbandwaswashedrightoutofthepicture.Thebodywas
discovered by one of these woman hikers - hefty young woman in shorts. She was an absolutely
competentandreliablewitness-gamesmistressataschoolinLancashire.Shenotedthetimewhenshe
foundthebody-itwasexactlyfourfifteen-andgaveitasheropinionthatthewomanhadbeendead
quiteashorttime-notmorethantenminutes.Thatfittedinwellenoughwiththepolicesurgeon'sview
when he examined the body at 5.45. She left everything as it was and tramped across country to
Bagshot police station where she reported the death. Now from three o'clock to four ten, Edward
CorriganwasinthetraincomingdownfromLondonwherehe'dgoneupforthedayonbusiness.Four
other people were in the carriage with him. From the station he took the local bus, two of his fellow
passengerstravellingbyitalso.HegotoffatthePineRidgeCaféwherehe'darrangedtomeethiswife
fortea.Timethenwasfourtwenty-five.Heorderedteaforthemboth,butsaidnottobringittillshe
came.Thenhewalkedaboutoutsidewaitingforher.When,byfiveo'clockshehadn'tturnedup,hewas
gettingalarmed-thoughtshemighthavesprainedherankle.Thearrangementwasthatshewastowalk
acrossthemoorsfromthevillagewheretheywerestayingtothePineRidgeCaféandgohomebybus.
Caesar'sGroveisnotfarfromthecaféandit'sthoughtthatasshewasaheadoftimeshesatdownthere
toadmiretheviewforabitbeforegoingon,andthatsometrampormadmancameuponherthereand
caught her unawares. Once the husband was proved to be out of it, naturally they connected up her
death with that of Nellie Parsons - that rather flighty servant girl who was found strangled in Marley
Copse. They decided that the same man was responsible for both crimes but they never caught him -
andwhat'smoretheynevercamenearcatchinghim!Drewablankeverywhere."

He paused and then he said slowly: "And now - here's a third woman strangled - and a certain
gentlemanwewon'tnamerightonthespot."Hestopped.HissmallshrewdeyescameroundtoPoirot.
Hewaitedhopefully.

Poirot's lips moved. Inspector Colgate leaned forward. Poirot was murmuring: "- so difficult to know
whatpiecesarepartofthefurrugandwhicharethecat'stail."

"Ibegpardon,sir?"saidInspectorColgate,startled.

Poirotsaidquickly:"Iapologize.Iwasfollowingatrainofthoughtofmyown."

"What'sthisaboutafurrugandacat?"

"Nothing-nothingatall."Hepaused.

"Tellme,InspectorColgate,ifyoususpectedsomeoneoftellinglies-many,manylies,butyouhadno
proof,whatwouldyoudo?"

InspectorColgateconsidered."It'sdifficult,thatis.Butit'smyopinionthatifanyonetellsenoughlies,
they'reboundtotripupintheend."

Poirotnodded."Yes,thatisverytrue.Yousee,itisonlyinmymindthatcertainstatementsarelies.I
thinkthattheyarelies,butIcannotknowtheyarelies.Butonemightperhapsmakeatest-atestofone
littlenotverynoticeablelie.Andifthatwereprovedtobealie-whythen,onewouldknowthatallthe
restwerelies,too!"

InspectorColgatelookedathimcuriously."Yourmindworksafunnyway,doesn'tit,sir?ButIdaresay
it comes out all right in the end. If you'll excuse my asking, what put you on to asking about
strangulationcasesingeneral?"

Poirot said slowly: "You have a word in your language - slick. This crime seemed to me a very slick
crime!Itmademewonder,if,perhaps,itwasnotafirstattempt."

InspectorColgatesaid:"Isee."

Poirotwenton:"Isaidtomyself,letusexaminethepastcrimesofasimilarkindandifthereisacrime
thatcloselyresemblesthisone-ehbien,weshallhavethereaveryvaluableclue."

"Youmeanusingthesamemethodofdeath,sir?"

"No,no,Imeanmorethanthat.ThedeathofNellieParsonsforinstancetellsmenothing.Butthedeath
ofAliceCorrigan-tellme,InspectorColgate,doyounotnoticeonestrikingformofsimilaritytothis
crime?"

Inspector Colgate turned the problem over in his mind. He said at last: "No, sir, I can't say that I do
really.Unlessit'sthatineachcasethehusbandhasgotairon-castalibi."

Poirotsaidsoftly:"Ah,soyouhavenoticedthat?"

"Ha,Poirot.Gladtoseeyou.Comein.JustthemanIwant."HerculePoirotrespondedtotheinvitation.
TheChiefConstablepushedoveraboxofcigarettes,tookonehimself,andlightedit.Betweenpuffshe
said: "I've decided, more or less, on a course of action. But I'd like your opinion on it before I act
decisively."

HerculePoirotsaid:"Tellme,myfriend."

Weston said: "I've decided to call in Scotland Yard and hand the case over to them. In my opinion,
although there have been grounds for suspicion against one or two people, the whole case hinges on
dope smuggling. It seems clear to me that that place, Pixy's Cove, was a definite rendezvous for the
stuff."

Poirotnodded."Iagree."

"Goodman.AndI'mprettycertainwhoourdopesmuggleris.HoraceBlatt."

AgainPoirotassented.Hesaid:"That,too,isindicated."

"Iseeourmindshavebothworkedthesameway.Blattusedtogosailinginthatboatofhis.Sometimes
he'd invite people to go with him, but most of the time he went out alone. He had some rather
conspicuousredsailsonthatboatbutwe'vefoundthathehadsomewhitesailsaswellstowedaway.I
thinkhesailedoutonagooddaytoanappointedspot,andwasmetbyanotherboat-sailingboator
motoryacht-somethingofthekind,andthestuffwashandedover.ThenBlattwouldrunashoreinto
Pixy'sCoveatasuitabletimeofday-"

HerculePoirotsmiled:"Yes,yes,athalfpastone.ThehouroftheBritishlunchwheneveryoneisquite

suretobeinthedining-room.Theislandisprivate.Itisnotaplacewhereoutsiderscomeforpicnics.
PeopletaketheirteasometimesfromthehoteltoPixy'sCoveintheafternoonwhenthesunisonit,or
iftheywantapicnictheywouldgosomewherefarafield,manymilesaway."

TheChiefConstablenodded."Quite,"hesaid."ThereforeBlattranashorethereandstowedthestuffon
thatledgeinthecave.Somebodyelsewastopickitupthereinduecourse."

Poirotmurmured:"Therewasacouple,youremember,whocametotheislandforlunchonthedayof
themurder?Thatwouldbeawayofgettingthestuff.SomesummervisitorsfromahotelontheMoor
oratStLoocomeovertoSmuggler'sIsland.Theyannouncethattheywillhavelunch.Theywalkround
the island first. How easy to descend to the beach, pick up the sandwich box, place it, no doubt, in
Madame'sbathingbagwhichshecarries-andreturnforlunchtothehotel-alittlelate,perhaps,sayat
tenminutestotwo,havingenjoyedtheirwalkwhilsteveryoneelsewasinthediningroom."

Westonsaid:"Yes,itallsoundspracticableenough.Nowthesedopeorganizationsareprettyruthless.If
anyoneblunderedinandgotwisetothingstheywouldn'tmakeanybonesaboutsilencingthatperson.
It seems to me that that is the right explanation of Arlena Marshall's death. It's possible that on that
morningBlattwasactuallyatthecovestowingthestuffaway.Hisaccomplicesweretocomeforitthat
veryday.Arlenaarrivesonherfloatandseeshimgoingintothecavewiththebox.Sheaskshimabout
itandhekillsherthenandthereandsheersoffinhisboatasquickaspossible."

Poirotsaid:"YouthinkdefinitelythatBlattisthemurderer?"

"Itseemsthemostprobablesolution.Ofcourseit'spossiblethatArlenamighthavegotontothetruth
earlier,saidsomethingtoBlattaboutitandsomeothermemberofthegangfixedafakeappointment
with her and did her in. As I say, I think the best course is to hand the case over to Scotland Yard.
They'veafarbetterchancethanwehaveofprovingBlatt'sconnectionwiththegang."

HerculePoirotnoddedthoughtfully.

Westonsaid:"Youthinkthat'sthewisethingtodo-eh?"

Poirotwasthoughtful.Hesaidatlast:"Itmaybe."

"Dashitall,Poirot,haveyougotsomethingupyoursleeve,orhaven'tyou?"

Poirotsaidgravely:"IfIhave,IamnotsurethatIcanproveit."

Westonsaid:"Ofcourse,IknowthatyouandColgatehaveotherideas.Seemsabitfantastictomebut
I'mboundtoadmittheremaybesomethinginit.Butevenifyou'reright,Istillthinkit'sacaseforthe
Yard.We'llgivethemthefactsandtheycanworkinwiththeSurreypolice.WhatIfeelisthatitisn't
reallyacaseforus.It'snotsufficientlylocalized."Hepaused."Whatdoyouthink,Poirot?Whatdoyou
feeloughttobedoneaboutit?"

Poirotseemedlostinthought.Atlasthesaid:"IknowwhatIshouldliketodo."

"Yes,man."

Poirotmurmured:"Ishouldliketogoforapicnic."

ColonelWestonstaredathim.

Chapter12

"Apicnic,M.Poirot?"EmilyBrewsterstaredathimasthoughhewereoutofhissenses.

Poirot said engagingly: "It sounds to you, does it not, very outrageous? But indeed it seems to me a
mostadmirableidea.Weneedsomethingoftheeveryday,theusual,torestorelifetothenormal.Iam
mostanxioustoseesomethingofDartmoor,theweatherisgood.Itwill-howshallIsay,itwillcheer
everybodyup!Soaidmeinthismatter.Persuadeeveryone."

Theideametwithunexpectedsuccess.Everyonewasatfirstdubiousandthengrudginglyadmittedit
mightnotbesuchabadideaafterall.ItwasnotsuggestedthatCaptainMarshallshouldbeasked.He
had himself announced that he had to go to Plymouth that day. Mr Blatt was of the party,
enthusiastically so. He was determined to be the life and soul of it. Besides him, there were Emily
Brewster, the Redferns, Stephen Lane, the Gardeners who were persuaded to delay their departure by
oneday,RosamundDarnleyandLinda.

Poirot had been eloquent to Rosamund and had dwelt on the advantage it would be to Linda to have
somethingtotakeheroutofherself.TothisRosamundagreed.Shesaid:"You'requiteright.Theshock
hasbeenverybadforachildofthatage.Ithasmadeherterriblyjumpy."

"Thatisonlynatural,Mademoiselle.Butatthatageonesoonforgets.Persuadehertocome.Youcan,I
know."

MajorBarryhadrefusedfirmly.Hesaidhedidn'tlikepicnics."Lotsofbasketstocarry,"hesaid."And
darneduncomfortable.Eatingmyfoodatatable'sgoodenoughforme."

The party assembled at ten o'clock. Three cars had been ordered. Mr Blatt was loud and cheerful
imitating a tourist guide. "This way, ladies and gentlemen - this way for Dartmoor. Heather and
bilberries,Devonshirecreamandconvicts.Bringyourwives,gentlemen,orbringtheotherthing!Every
onewelcome!Sceneryguaranteed.Walkup.Walkup."

At the last minute Rosamund Darnley came down looking concerned. She said: "Linda's not coming.
Shesaysshe'sgotafrightfulheadache."

Poirotcried:"Butitwilldohergoodtocome.Persuadeher,Mademoiselle."

Rosamundsaidfirmly:"It'snogood.She'sabsolutelydetermined.I'vegivenhersomeaspirinandshe's
gonetobed."Shehesitatedandsaid:"Ithink,perhaps,Iwon'tgo,either."

"Can't allow that, dear lady, can't allow that," cried Mr Blatt, seizing her facetiously by the arm. "La
haute Mode must grace this occasion. No refusals! I've taken you into custody, ha, ha. Sentenced to
Dartmoor."

Heledherfirmlytothefirstcar.RosamundthrewablacklookatHerculePoirot."I'llstaywithLinda,"
saidChristineRedfern."Idon'tmindabit."

Patricksaid:"Oh,comeon,Christine."

AndPoirotsaid:"No,no,youmustcome,Madame.Withaheadacheoneisbetteralone.Come,letus
start."

Thethreecarsdroveoff.TheywentfirsttotherealPixy'sCaveonSheepstorandhadagooddealoffun
lookingfortheentranceandatlastfindingit,aidedbyapicturepostcard.Itwasprecariousgoingonthe
big boulders and Hercule Poirot did not attempt it. He watched indulgently while Christine Redfern
sprang lightly from stone to stone and observed that her husband was never far from her. Rosamund
DarnleyandEmilyBrewsterhadjoinedinthesearchthoughthelatterslippedonceandgaveaslight
twisttoherankle.StephenLanewasindefatigable,hislongleanfigureturningandtwistingamongthe
boulders.MrBlattcontentedhimselfwithgoingalittlewayandshoutingencouragement,alsotaking
photographsofthesearchers.

TheGardenersandPoirotremainedstaidlysittingbythewaysidewhilstMrsGardener'svoiceupraised
itselfinapleasanteven-tonedmonologuepunctuatednowandthenbytheobedient"Yes,darlings"of
her spouse. "- and what I always have felt, M. Poirot, and Mr Gardener agrees with me - is that
snapshotscanbeveryannoying.Unless,thatistosay,theyaretakenamongfriends.ThatMrBlatthas
justnosensitivenessofanykind.Hejustcomesrightuptoeveryoneandtalksawayandtakespictures
ofyouand,asIsaidtoMrGardener,thatreallyisveryill-bred.That'swhatIsaid,Odell,wasn'tit?"

"Yes,darling."

"Thatgrouphetookofusallsittingonthebeach.Well,that'sallverywell,butheshouldhaveasked
first.Asitwas,MissBrewsterwasjustgettingupfromthebeachanditcertainlymakesherlookavery
peculiarshape."

"I'llsayitdoes,"saidMrGardenerwithagrin.

"Andthere'sMrBlattgivingroundcopiestoeverybodywithoutsomuchasaskingfirst.Hegaveoneto
you,M.Poirot,Inoticed."

Poirotnodded.Hesaid:"Ivaluethatgroupverymuch."

MrsGardenerwenton:"Andlookathisbehaviortoday-soloudandnoisyandcommon.Why,itjust
makesmeshudder.Yououghttohavearrangedtoleavethatmanathome,M.Poirot."

HerculePoirotmurmured:"Alas,Madame,thatwouldhavebeendifficult."

"Ishouldsayitwould.Thatmanjustpusheshiswayinanywhere.He'sjustnotsensitiveatall."

AtthismomentthediscoveryofthePixy'sCavewashailedfrombelowwithloudcries.Thepartynow
droveon,underHerculePoirot'sdirections,toaspotwhereashortwalkfromthecardownahillsideof
heatherledtoadelightfulspotbyasmallriver.AnarrowplankbridgecrossedtheriverandPoirotand
herhusbandinducedMrsGardenertocrossittowhereadelightfulheatheryspotfreefrompricklyfurze
lookedanidealspotforapicniclunch.Talkingvolublyabouthersensationswhencrossingonaplank
bridge Mrs Gardener sank down. Suddenly there was a slight outcry. The others had run across the
bridge lightly enough, but Emily Brewster was standing in the middle of the plank, her eyes shut,
swaying to and fro. Poirot and Patrick Redfern rushed to the rescue. Emily Brewster was gruff and
ashamed."Thanks,thanks.Sorry.Neverwasgoodatcrossingrunningwater.Getgiddy.Stupid,very."

Lunchwasspreadoutandthepicnicbegan.Allthepeopleconcernedweresecretlysurprisedtofindout
how much they enjoyed this interlude. It was, perhaps, because it afforded an escape from an
atmosphereofsuspicionanddread.Here,withthetricklingofthewater,thesoftpeatysmellintheair
andthewarmcolouringofbrackenandheather,aworldofmurderandpoliceinquiriesandsuspicion
seemedblottedoutasthoughithadneverexisted.EvenMrBlattforgottobethelifeandsoulofthe
party. After lunch he went to sleep a little distance away and subdued snores testified to his blissful
unconsciousness.

It was quite a grateful party of people who packed up the picnic baskets and congratulated Hercule
Poirotonhisgoodidea.Thesunwassinkingastheyreturnedalongthenarrowwindinglanes.Fromthe
topofthehillaboveLeathercombeBaytheyhadabriefglimpseoftheislandwiththewhiteHotelonit.
Itlookedpeacefulandinnocentinthesettingsun.MrsGardener,notloquaciousforonce,sighedand
said:"Ireallydothankyou,M.Poirot.Ifeelsocalm.It'sjustwonderful."

MajorBarrycameouttogreetthemonarrival."Hullo,"hesaid."Hadagoodday?"

MrsGardener said: "Indeedwe did. Themoors were just toolovely for anything.So English and old
world.Andtheairdeliciousandinvigorating.Yououghttobeashamedofyourselfforbeingsolazyas
tostaybehind."

The Major chuckled. "I'm too old for that kind of thing - sitting on a patch of bog and eating
sandwiches."

Achambermaidhadcomeoutofthehotel.Shewasalittleoutofbreath.Shehesitatedforamoment,
then came swiftly up to Christine Redfern. Hercule Poirot recognized her as Gladys Narracott. Her
voicecamequickanduneven."Excuseme,Madam,butI'mworriedabouttheyounglady.AboutMiss
Marshall. I took her some tea just now and I couldn't get her to wake and she looks so - so queer
somehow."

Christinelookedroundhelplessly.Poirotwasathersideinamoment.Hishandunderherelbowhesaid
quietly:"Wewillgoupandsee."

TheyhurriedupthestairsandalongthepassagetoLinda'sroom.Oneglanceatherwasenoughtotell
them both that something was very wrong. She had an odd colour and her breathing was hardly
perceptible.Poirot'shandwenttoherpulse.Atthesametimehenoticedanenvelopestuckupagainst
thelamponthebedsidetable.Itwasaddressedtohimself.

Captain Marshall came quickly into the room. He said: "What's this about Linda? What's the matter
withher?"

A small frightened sob came from Christine Redfern. Hercule Poirot turned from the bed. He said to
Marshall:"Getadoctor-asquickasyoupossiblycan.ButI'mafraid-verymuchafraid-itmaybetoo
late."

Hetooktheletterwithhisnameonitandrippedopentheenvelope.Insidewereafewlinesofwriting
in Linda's prim schoolgirl hand. "I think this is the best way out. Ask Father to try and forgive me. I
killedArlena.IthoughtIshouldbeglad-butI'mnot.Iamverysorryforeverything..."

They were assembled in the lounge - Marshall, the Redferns, Rosamund Darnley and Hercule Poirot.
Theysattheresilent-waiting...ThedooropenedandDrNeasdoncamein.Hesaidcurdy:"I'vedoneall
Ican.Shemaypullthrough-butI'mboundtotellyouthatthere'snotmuchhope."

He paused. Marshall, his face stiff, his eyes a cold frosty blue, asked: "How did she get hold of the
stuff?"

Neasdon opened the door again and beckoned. The chambermaid came into the room. She had been
crying.Neasdonsaid:"Justtellusagainwhatyousaw?"

Sniffing, the girl said: "I never thought - I never thought for a minute there was anything wrong -
thoughtheyoungladydidseemratherstrangeaboutit."Aslightgestureofimpatiencefromthedoctor
startedheroffagain."Shewasintheotherlady'sroom.MrsRedfern's.Yourroom,Madam.Overatthe
washstandandshetookupalittlebottle.ShedidgiveabitofajumpwhenIcameinandIthoughtit
wasqueerhertakingthingsfromyourroom,butthenofcourseitmightbesomethingshe'dlentyou.
Shejustsaid:'Oh,thisiswhatI'mlookingfor-'andwentout."

Christinesaidalmostinawhisper:"Mysleepingtablets."

Thedoctorsaidbrusquely:"Howdidsheknowaboutthem?"

Christine said: "I gave her one. The night after it happened. She told me she couldn't sleep. She - I
rememberhersaying-'Willonebeenough?'-andIsaid,'Oh,yes,theywereverystrong'-thatI'dbeen
cautionednevertotakemorethantwoatmost."

Neasdonnodded."Shemadeprettysure,"hesaid."Tooksixofthem."

Christinesobbedagain."Oh,dear,Ifeelit'smyfault.Ishouldhavekeptthemlockedup."

Thedoctorshruggedhisshoulders."Itmighthavebeenwiser,MrsRedfern."

Christinesaiddespairingly:"She'sdying-andit'smyfault..."

KennethMarshallstirredinhischair.Hesaid:"No,youcan'tblameyourself.Lindaknewwhatshewas
doing.Shetookthemdeliberately.Perhaps-perhapsitwasbest."Helookeddownatthecrumplednote
inhishand-thenotethatPoirothadsilentlyhandedtohim.

RosamundDarnleycriedout:"Idon'tbelieveit.Idon'tbelieveLindakilledher.Surelyit'simpossible-
ontheevidence!"

Christine said eagerly: "Yes, she can't have done it! She must have got overwrought and imagined it
all."

ThedooropenedandColonelWestoncamein.Hesaid:"What'sallthisIhear?"

DrNeasdonlookthenotefromMarshall'shandandhandedittotheChiefConstable.Thelatterreadit.
He exclaimed incredulously: "What? But this is nonsense - absolute nonsense! It's impossible." He
repeatedwithassurance."Impossible!Isn'tit,Poirot?"

Hercule Poirot moved for the first time. He said in a slow sad voice: "No, I'm afraid it is not
impossible."

ChristineRedfernsaid:"ButIwaswithher,M.Poirot.Iwaswithheruptoaquartertotwelve.Itold
thepoliceso."

Poirotsaid:"Yourevidencegaveheranalibi-yes.Butwhatwasyourevidencebasedon?Itwasbased
onLindaMarshall'sownwrist-watch.Youdidnotknowofyourownknowledgethatitwasaquarterto
twelvewhenyoulefther-youonlyknowthatshetoldyouso.Yousaidyourselfthetimeseemedto
havegoneveryfast."

Shestaredathimstricken.Hesaid:"Nowthink,Madame,whenyouleftthebeach,didyouwalkback
tothehotelfastorslow?"

"I-well,fairlyslowly,Ithink."

"Doyouremembermuchaboutthatwalkback?"

"Notverymuch,I'mafraid.I-Iwasthinking."

Poirotsaid:"Iamsorrytoaskyouthis,butwillyoutelljustwhatyouwerethinkingaboutduringthat
walk?"

Christine flushed. "I suppose - if it is necessary - I was considering the question of - of leaving here.
Justgoingawaywithouttellingmyhusband.I-Iwasveryunhappyjustthen,yousee."

PatrickRedferncried:"Oh,Christine!Iknow...Iknow..."

Poirot'sprecisevoicecutin:"Exactly.Youwereconcernedovertakingastepofsomeimportance.You
were, I should say, deaf and blind to your surroundings. You probably walked very slowly and
occasionallystoppedforsomeminuteswhilstyoupuzzledthingsout."

Christine nodded. "How clever you are. It was just like that. I woke up from a kind of dream just
outsidethehotelandhurriedinthinkingIshouldbeverylatebutwhenIsawtheclockintheloungeI
realizedIhadplentyoftime."

HerculePoirotsaidagain:"Exactly."HeturnedtoMarshall:"ImustnowdescribetoyoucertainthingsI
foundinyourdaughter'sroomafterthemurder.Inthegratewasalargeblobofmeltedwax,someburnt
hair, fragments of cardboard and paper and an ordinary household pin. The paper and the cardboard
mightnotberelevantbuttheotherthreethingsweresuggestive-particularlywhenIfoundtuckedaway
in the bookshelves a volume from the local library here dealing with witchcraft and magic. It opened
very easily at a certain page. On that page were described various methods of causing death by
mouldinginwaxafiguresupposedtorepresentthevictim.Thiswasthenslowlyroastedtillitmelted
away - or alternatively you would pierce the wax figure to the heart with a pin. Death of the victim
wouldensue.IlaterheardfromMrsRedfernthatLindaMarshallhadbeenoutearlythatmorningand
hadboughtapacketofcandlesandhadseemedembarrassedwhenherpurchasewasrevealed.Ihadno
doubt what had happened after that. Linda had made a crude figure of the candle wax - possibly
adorningitwithasnipofArlena'sredhairtogivethemagicforce-hadthenstabbedittotheheartwith
apinandfinallymeltedthefigureawaybylightingstripsofcardboardunderit.

"It was crude, childish, superstitious, but it revealed one thing: the desire to kill. Was there any
possibility that there had been more than a desire? Could Linda Marshall have actually killed her
stepmother? At first sight it seemed as though she had a perfect alibi - but in actuality, as I have just
pointedout,thetimeevidencewassuppliedbyLindaherself.Shecouldeasilyhavedeclaredthetimeto

beaquarterofanhourlaterthanitreallywas.

"ItwasquitepossibleonceMrsRedfernhadleftthebeachforLindatofollowherupandthenstrike
acrossthenarrowneckoflandtotheladder,hurrydownit,meetherstepmotherthere,strangleherand
returnuptheladderbeforetheboatcontainingMissBrewsterandPatrickRedferncameinsight.She
couldthenreturntoGullCove,takeherbatheandreturntothehotelatherleisure.

"Butthatentailedtwothings.ShemusthavedefiniteknowledgethatArlenaMarshallwouldbeatPixy
Cove and she must be physically capable of the deed. Well, the first was quite possible - if Linda
MarshallhadwrittenanotetoArlenaherselfinsomeoneelse'sname.Astothesecond,Lindahasvery
largestronghands.Theyareaslargeasaman's.Astothestrengthsheisattheagewhenoneisproneto
bementallyunbalanced.Mentalderangementoftenisaccompaniedbyunusualstrength.Therewasone
othersmallpoint.LindaMarshall'smotherhadactuallybeenaccusedandtriedformurder."

KennethMarshallliftedhishead.Hesaidfiercely:"Shewasalsoacquitted."

"Shewasacquitted,"Poirotagreed.Marshallsaid:"AndI'lltellyouthis,M.Poirot.Ruth-mywife-
wasinnocent.ThatIknowwithcompleteandabsolutecertainty.IntheintimacyofourlifeIcouldnot
havebeendeceived.Shewasaninnocentvictimofcircumstance."Hepaused:"AndIdon'tbelievethat
LindakilledArlena.It'sridiculous-absurd!"

Poirotsaid:"Doyoubelievethatletter,then,tobeaforgery?"

Marshall held out his hand for it and Weston gave it to him. Marshall studied it attentively. "No," he
saidunwillingly."IbelieveLindadidwritethis."

Poirotsaid:"Thenifshewroteit,thereareonlytwoexplanations.Eithershewroteitinallgoodfaith,
knowing herself to be the murderess or - or, I say - she wrote it deliberately to shield some one else,
someonewhomshefearedwassuspected."

KennethMarshallsaid:"Youmeanme?"

"Itispossible,isitnot?"

Marshallconsideredforamomentortwo,thenhesaidquietly:"No,Ithinkthisideaisabsurd.Linda
mayhaverealizedthatIwasregardedwithsuspicionatfirst.Butsheknewdefinitelybynowthatthat
wasoveranddonewith-thatthepolicehadacceptedmyalibiandturnedtheirattentionelsewhere."

Poirotsaid:"Andsupposingthatitwasnotsomuchthatshethoughtthatyouweresuspectedasthatshe
knewyouwereguilty."

Marshallstartedathim.Hegaveashortlaugh."That'sabsurd."

Poirotsaid:"Iwonder.Thereare,youknow,severalpossibilitiesaboutMrsMarshall'sdeath.Thereis
thetheorythatshewasbeingblackmailed,thatshewentthatmorningtomeettheblackmailerandthat
the blackmailer killed her. There is the theory that Pixy Cove and Cave were being used for drug-
running and that she was killed because she accidentally learned something about that. The is a third
possibility-thatshewaskilledbyareligiousmaniac.Andthereisafourthpossibility-youstoodto
gainalotofmoneybyyourwife'sdeath,CaptainMarshall?"

"I'vejusttoldyou-"

"Yes,yes-Iagreethatitisimpossiblethatyoucouldhavekilledyourwife-ifyouwereactingalone.
Butsupposingsomeonehelpedyou?"

"Whatthedevildoyoumean?"Thequietmanwasrousedatlast.Hehalfrosefromhischair.Hisvoice
wasmenacing.Therewasahardangrylightinhiseyes.

Poirotsaid:"Imeanthatthisisnotacrimethatwascommittedsingle-handed.Twopeoplewereinit.It
isquitetruethatyoucouldnothavetypedthatletterandatthesametimegonetothecove-butthere
wouldhavebeentimeforyoutohavejotteddownthatletterinshorthand-andforsomeoneelseto
havetypeditinyourroomwhileyouyourselfwereabsentonyourmurderouserrand."

Hercule Poirot looked towards Rosamund Darnley. He said: "Miss Darnley states that she left Sunny
Ledge at ten minutes past eleven and saw you typing in your room. But just about that time Mr
Gardenerwentuptothehoteltofetchaskeinofwoolforhiswife.HedidnotmeetMissDarnleyorsee
her.Thatisratherremarkable.ItlooksasthougheitherMissDarnleyneverleftSunnyLedge,orelse
shehadleftitmuchearlierandwasinyourroomtypingindustriously.Anotherpoint,youstatedthat
whenMissDarnleylookedintoyourroomataquarterpastelevenyousawherinthemirror.Butonthe
dayofthemurderyourtypewriterandpaperswereallonthewriting-deskacrossthecorneroftheroom,
whereas the mirror was between the windows. So that that statement was a deliberate lie. Later, you
movedyourtypewritertothetableunderthemirrorsoastosubstantiateyourstory-butitwastoolate.
IwasawarethatbothyouandMissDarnleyhadlied."

RosamundDarnleyspoke.Hervoicewaslowandclear.Shesaid:"Howdevilishlyingeniousyouare!"

Hercule Poirot said, raising his voice: "But not so devilish and so ingenious as the man who killed
ArlenaMarshall!Thinkbackforamoment.WhodidIthink-whodideverybodythink-thatArlena
Marshallhadgonetomeetthatmorning?Wealljumpedtothesameconclusion.PatrickRedfern.Itwas
nottomeetablackmailerthatshewent.Herfacealonewouldhavetoldmethat.Oh,no,itwasalover
shewasgoingtomeet-orthoughtshewasgoingtomeet.Yes,Iwasquitesureofthat.ArlenaMarshall
wasgoingtomeetPatrickRedfern.ButaminutelaterPatrickRedfernappearedonthebeachandwas
obviouslylookingforher.Sowhatthen?"

PatrickRedfernsaidwithsubduedanger:"Somedevilusedmyname."

Poirot said: "You were obviously upset and surprised by her non-appearance. Almost too obviously,
perhaps.Itismytheory,MrRedfern,thatshewenttoPixyCovetomeetyouandthatshedidmeetyou
andthatyoukilledherthereasyouhadplannedtodo."

PatrickRedfernstared.Hesaidinhishighgood-humouredIrishvoice:"Isitdaftyouare?Iwaswith
youonthebeachuntilIwentroundintheboatwithMissBrewsterandfoundherdead."

Hercule Poirot said: "You killed her after Miss Brewster had gone off in the boat to fetch the police.
ArlenaMarshallwasnotdeadwhenyougottothebeach.ShewaswaitinghiddenintheCaveuntilthe
coastshouldbeclear."

"Butthebody!MissBrewsterandIbothsawthebody."

"Abody-yes.Butnotadeadbody.Thelivebodyofthewomanwhohelpedyou,herarmsandlegs
stainedwithtan,herfacehiddenbyagreencardboardhat.Christine,yourwife(orpossiblynotyour
wife-butstillyourpartner),helpingyoutocommitthiscrimeasshehelpedyoutocommitthatcrime
in the past when she 'discovered' the body of Alice Corrigan at least twenty minutes before Alice
Corrigandied-killedbyherhusbandEdwardCorrigan-you!"

Christinespoke.Hervoicewassharp-cold.Shesaid:"Becareful,Patrick,don'tloseyourtemper."

Poirotsaid:"YouwillbeinterestedtohearthatbothyouandyourwifeChristinewereeasilyrecognized
and picked out by the Surrey police from a group of people photographed here. They identified you
bothatonceasEdwardCorriganandChristineDeverill,theyoungwomanwhofoundthebody."

PatrickRedfernhadrisen.Hishandsomefacewastransformed,suffusedwithblood,blindwithrage.It
wasthefaceofakiller-ofatiger.Heyelled:"Youdamnedinterferingmurderinglousylittleworm!"

Hehurledhimselfforward,hisfingersstretchingandcurling,hisvoiceravingcurses,ashefastenedhis
fingersroundHerculePoirot'sthroat...

Chapter13

Poirotsaidreflectively:"Itwasonamorningwhenweweresittingoutherethatwetalkedofsuntanned
bodies lying like meat upon a slab and it was then that I reflected how little difference there was
betweenonebodyandanother.Ifonelookedcloselyandappraisingly-yes-buttothecasualglance?
Onemoderatelywell-madeyoungwomanisverylikeanother.Twobrownlegs,twobrownarms,alittle
piece of bathing suit in between - just a body lying out in the sun. When a woman walks, when she
speaks,laughs,turnsherhead,movesahand-then,yes,then,thereispersonality-individuality.Butin
thesunritual-no.

"Itwasthatdaywespokeofevil-evilunderthesun,asMrLaneputit.MrLaneisaverysensitive
person-evilaffectshim-heperceivesitspresence-butthoughheisagoodrecordinginstrument,he
did not really know exactly where the evil was. To him, evil was focussed in the person of Arlena
Marshallandpracticallyeveryonepresentagreedwithhim.

"But to my mind, though evil was present, it was not centralized in Arlena Marshall at all. It was
connectedwithher,yes-butinatotallydifferentway.Isawher,first,lastandallthetime,asaneternal
andpredestinedvictim.Becauseshewasbeautiful,becauseshehadglamour,becausementurnedtheir
headstolookather,itwasassumedthatshewasthetypeofwomanwhowreckedlivesanddestroyed
souls.ButIsawherverydifferently.Itwasnotshewhofatallyattractedmen-itwasmenwhofatally
attractedher.Shewasthetypeofwomanwhommencareforeasilyandofwhomtheyaseasilytire.
And everything that I was told or found out about her strengthened my conviction on this point. The
first thing that was mentioned about her was how the man in whose divorce case she had been cited
refusedtomarryher.ItwasthenthatCaptainMarshall,oneofthoseincurablychivalrousmen,stepped
inandaskedhertomarryhim.ToashyretiringmanofCaptainMarshall'stype,apublicordealofany
kindwouldbetheworsttorture-hencehisloveandpityforhisfirstwifewhowaspubliclyaccusedand
tried for a murder she had not committed. He married her and found himself amply justified in his
estimateofhercharacter.Afterherdeathanotherbeautifulwoman,perhapssomethingofthesametype
(sinceLindahasredhairwhichsheprobablyinheritedfromhermother)ishelduptopublicignominy.
AgainMarshallperformsarescueact.Butthistimehefindslittletosustainhisinfatuation.Arlenais
stupid,unworthyofhissympathyandprotection,mindless.NeverthelessIthinkhealwayshadafairly
truevisionofher.Longafterheceasedtoloveherandwasirkedbyherpresence,heremainedsorryfor
her.Shewastohimlikeachildwhocannotgetfartherthanacertainpageinthebookoflife.

"IsawinArlenaMarshallwithherpassionformen,apredestinedpreyforanunscrupulousmanofa
certain type. In Patrick Redfern, with his good looks, his easy assurance, his undeniable charm for
women,Irecognizedatoncethattype.Theadventurerwhomakeshisliving,onewayoranother,outof
women.LookingonfrommyplaceonthebeachIwasquitecertainthatArlenawasPatrick'svictim,

not the other way about. And I associated that focus of evil with Patrick Redfern not with Arlena
Marshall.

"Arlenahadrecentlycomeintoalargesumofmoney,leftherbyanelderlyadmirerwhohadnothad
timetogrowtiredofher.Shewasthetypeofwomanwhoisinvariablydefraudedofmoneybysome
manorother.MissBrewstermentionedayoungmanwhohadbeen'ruined'byArlena,butaletterfrom
himwhichwasfoundinherroom,thoughitexpressedawish(whichcostnothing)tocoverherwith
jewels, in actual fact acknowledged a cheque from her by means of which he hoped to escape
prosecution.Aclearcaseofayoungwasterspongingonher.IhavenodoubtthatPatrickRedfernfound
iteasytoinducehertohandhimlargesumsfromtimetotime'forinvestment.'Heprobablydazzledher
withstoriesofgreatopportunities-howhewouldmakeherfortuneandhisown.Unprotectedwomen,
living alone, are easy preys to that type of man - and he usually escapes scot-free with the booty. If,
however,thereisahusband,orabrother,orafatherabout,thingsareapttotakeanunpleasantturnfor
theswindler.OnceCaptainMarshallwastofindoutwhathadhappenedtohiswife'sfortune,Patrick
Redfern might expect short shrift. That did not worry him, however, because he contemplated quite
calmlydoingawaywithherwhenhejudgeditnecessary-encouragedbyhavingalreadygotawaywith
onemurder-thatofayoungwomanwhomhehadmarriedinthenameofCorriganandwhomhehad
persuadedtoinsureherlifeforalargesum.

"Inhisplanshewasaidedandabettedbytheyoungwomanwhodownherepassedashiswifeandto
whom he was genuinely attached. A young woman as unlike the type of his victims as could well be
imagined-cool,calm,passionless,butsteadfastlyloyaltohimandanactressofnomeanability.From
the time of her arrival here Christine Redfern played the part, the part of the 'poor little wife' - frail,
helpless, an intellectual rather than athletic. Think of the points she made one after another. Her
tendencytoblisterinthesunandherconsequentwhiteskin,hergiddinessatheights-storiesofgetting
stuckonMilanCathedral,etc.Anemphasisonherfrailtyanddelicacy-nearlyeveryonespokeofher
asa'littlewoman.'ShewasactuallyastallasArlenaMarshallbutwithverysmallhandsandfeet.She
spokeofherselfasaformerschoolteacherandtherebyemphasizedanimpressionofbooklearningand
lackofathleticprowess.Actuallyitisquitetruethatshehadworkedinaschool,butthepositionshe
heldtherewasthatofgamesmistressandshewasanextremelyactiveyoungwomanwhocouldclimb
likeacatandrunlikeanathlete.

"Thecrimeitselfwasperfectlyplannedandtimed.Itwas,asImentionedbefore,averyslickcrime.The
timingwasaworkofgenius.Firstofalltherewerecertainpreliminaryscenes-oneplayedonthecliff
ledge when they knew me to be occupying the next recess - a conventional jealous wife dialogue
between her and her husband. Later she played the same part in a scene with me. At the time I
rememberavaguefeelingofhavingreadallthisinabook.Itdidnotseemreal.Because,ofcourse,it
wasnotreal.Thencamethedayofthecrime.Itwasafineday-anessential.Redfern'sfirstactwasto
slipoutveryearly-bythebalconydoorwhichheunlockedfromtheinside(iffoundopenitwouldonly
bethoughtsomeonehadgoneforanearlybathe).UnderhisbathingwrapheconcealedagreenChinese
hat,theduplicateoftheoneArlenawasinthehabitofwearing.Heslippedacrosstheisland,downthe
ladderandstoweditawayinanappointedplacebehindsomerocks.PartI.

"OnthepreviouseveninghehadarrangedarendezvouswithArlena.Theywereexercisingagooddeal
ofcautionaboutmeetingasArlenawasslightlyafraidofherhusband.SheagreedtogoroundtoPixy
Coveearly.Nobodywentthereinthemorning.Redfernwastojoinherthere,takingachancetoslip
awayunobtrusively.Ifsheheardanyonedescendingtheladderoraboatcameinsightshewastoslip
insidethePixy'sCave,thesecretofwhichhehadtoldher,andwaitthereuntilthecoastwasclear.Part
II.

"InthemeantimeChristinewenttoLinda'sroomatatimewhenshejudgedLindawouldhavegonefor
herearlymorningdip.ShewouldthenalterLinda'swatch,puttingitontwentyminutes.Therewas,of
course, a risk that Linda might notice her watch was wrong, but it did not much matter if she did.
Christine's real alibi was the size of her hands which made it a physical impossibility for her to have
committed the crime. Nevertheless an additional alibi would be desirable. When in Linda's room she
noticedthebookonwitchcraftandmagic,openatacertainpage.ShereaditandwhenLindacamein
anddroppedaparcelofcandlessherealizedwhatwasinLinda'smind.Itopenedupsomenewideasto
her.TheoriginalideaoftheguiltypairhadbeentocastareasonableamountofsuspiciononKenneth
Marshall,hencetheabstractedpipe,afragmentofwhichwastobeplantedatthecoveunderneaththe
ladder.OnLinda'sreturnChristineeasilyarrangedanoutingtogethertoGullCove.Shethenreturnedto
herownroom,tookoutfromalockedsuitcaseabottleofartificialsuntan,applieditcarefullyandthrew
theemptybottleoutofthewindowwhereitnarrowlyescapedhittingEmilyBrewsterwhowasbathing.
PartIIIsuccessfullyaccomplished.

"Christinethendressedherselfinawhitebathing-suitandoveritapairofbeachtrousersandcoatwith
long floppy sleeves which effectually concealed her newly browned arms and legs. At 10.15 Arlena
departedforherrendezvous,aminuteortwolaterPatrickRedferncamedownandregisteredsurprise,
annoyance,etc.Christine'staskwaseasyenough.KeepingherownwatchconcealedsheaskedLindaat
twenty-fivepastelevenwhattimeitwas.Lindalookedatherwatchandrepliedthatitwasaquarterto
twelve.ShethenstartsdowntotheseaandChristinepacksuphersketchingthings.AssoonasLinda's
backisturnedChristinepicksupthegirl'swatchwhichshehadnecessarilydiscardedbeforegoinginto
theseaandaltersitbacktothecorrecttime.Thenshehurriesupthecliffpath,runsacrossthenarrow
neck of land to the top of the ladder, strips off her pyjamas and shoves them and her sketching box
behindarockandswarmsrapidlydowntheladderinherbestgymnasticfashion.

"ArlenaisonthebeachbelowwonderingwhyPatrickissolongincoming.Sheseesorhearssomeone
on the ladder, takes a cautious observation and to her annoyance sees that inconvenient person - the
wife!ShehurriesalongthebeachandintothePixy'sCave.

"Christinetakesthehatfromitshiding-place,afalseredcurlpinnedunderneaththebrimattheback,
anddisposesherselfinasprawlingattitudewiththehatandcurlshieldingherfaceandneck.Thetiming
isperfect.AminuteortwolatertheboatcontainingPatrickandEmilyBrewstercomesroundthepoint.
Remember it is Patrick who bends down and examines the body, Patrick who is stunned - shocked -
brokendownbythedeathofhisladylove!Hiswitnesshasbeencarefullychosen.MissBrewsterhas
notgotagoodhead,shewillnotattempttogouptheladder.Shewillleavethecovebyboat,Patrick
naturally being the one to remain with the body - 'in case the murderer may still be about.' Miss

Brewsterrowsofftofetchthepolice.Christine,assoonastheboathasdisappeared,springsup,cutsthe
hat into pieces with the scissors Patrick has carefully brought, stuffs them into her bathing suit and
swarmsuptheladderindouble-quicktime,slipsintoherbeachpyjamasandrunsbacktothehotel.Just
time to have a quick bath, washing off the brown suntan application, and into her tennis dress. One
other thing she does. She burns the pieces of the green cardboard hat and the hair in Linda's grate,
addingaleafofacalendarsothatitmaybeassociatedwiththecardboard.NotaHatbutaCalendarhas
beenburnt.AsshesuspectedLindahasbeenexperimentinginmagic-theblobofwaxandthepinshow
that.

"Then,downtothetenniscourt,arrivingthelast,butshowingnosignofflurryorhaste.

"AndmeanwhilePatrickhasgonetotheCave.Arlenahasseennothingandheardverylittle-aboat-
voices - she has prudently remained hidden. But now it is Patrick calling. 'All clear, darling,' and she
comes out and his hands fasten round her neck - and that is the end of poor foolish beautiful Arlena
Marshall..."

Hisvoicediedaway.Foramomenttherewassilence,thenRosamundDarnleysaidwithalittleshiver:
"Yes,youmakeoneseeitall.Butthat'sthestoryfromtheotherside.Youhaven'ttoldushowyoucame
togetatthetruth?"

Hercule Poirot said: "I told you once that I had a very simple mind. Always, from the beginning, it
seemedtomethatthemostlikelypersonhadkilledArlenaMarshall.Andthemostlikelypersonwas
PatrickRedfern.Hewasthetype,parexcellence-thetypeofmanwhoexploitswomenlikeher-and
the type of the killer - the kind of man who will take a woman's savings and cut her throat into the
bargain. Who was Arlena going to meet that morning? By the evidence of her face, her smile, her
manner, her words to me - Patrick Redfern. And therefore, in the very nature of things, it should be
PatrickRedfernwhokilledher.

"ButatonceIcameup,asItoldyou,againstimpossibility.PatrickRedferncouldnothavekilledher
sincehewasonthebeachandinMissBrewster'scompanyuntiltheactualdiscoveryofthebody.SoI
lookedaboutforothersolutions-andtherewereseveral.Shecouldhavebeenkilledbyherhusband-
withMissDarnley'sconnivance.(Theytoohadbothliedastoonepointwhichlookedsuspicious.)She
couldhavebeenkilledasaresultofherhavingstumbledonthesecretofthedopesmuggling.Shecould
havebeenkilled,asIsaid,byareligiousmaniac,andshecouldhavebeenkilledbyherstepdaughter.
Thelatterseemedtomeatonetimetobetherealsolution.Linda'smannerinherveryfirstinterview
withthepolicewassignificant.AninterviewthatIhadwithherlaterassuredmeofonepoint.Linda
consideredherselfguilty."

"YoumeansheimaginedthatshehadactuallykilledArlena?"Rosamund'svoicewasincredulous.

Hercule nodded. "Yes. Remember - she is really little more than a child. She read that book on
witchcraftandshehalfbelievedit.ShehatedArlena.Shedeliberatelymadethewaxdoll,castherspell,
pierced it to the heart, melted it away - and that very day Arlena dies. Older and wiser people than
Lindahavebelievedferventlyinmagic.Naturallyshebelievedthatitwasalltrue-thatbyusingmagic
shehadkilledherstepmother."

Rosamundcried:"Oh,poorchild,poorchild.AndIthought-Iimagined-somethingquitedifferent-
thatsheknewsomethingwhichwould-"

Rosamund stopped. Poirot said: "I know what it was you thought. Actually your manner frightened
Linda still further. She believed that her action had really brought about Arlena's death and that you
knewit.ChristineRedfernworkedonhertoo,introducingtheideaofthesleepingtabletstohermind,
showingherthewaytoaspeedyandpainlessexpiationofhercrime.Yousee,onceCaptainMarshall
was proved to have an alibi, it was vital for a new suspect to be found. Neither she nor her husband
knewaboutthedopesmuggling.TheyfixedonLindatobethescapegoat."

Rosamundsaid:"Whatadevil!"

Poirotnodded."Yes,youareright.Acold-bloodedandcruelwoman.Forme,Iwasingreatdifficulty.
WasLindaguiltyonlyofthechildishattemptatwitchcraft,orhadherhatecarriedherstillfurther-to
theactualact?Itriedtogethertoconfesstome.Butitwasnogood.AtthatmomentIwasingrave
uncertainty.TheChiefConstablewasinclinedtoacceptthedopesmugglingexplanation.Icouldletit
goatthat.Iwentoverthefactsagainverycarefully.Ihad,yousee,acollectionofjigsawpuzzlepieces,
isolated happenings - plain facts. The whole must fit into a complete and harmonious pattern. There
werethescissorsfoundonthebeach-abottlethrownfromawindow-abaththatnoonewouldadmit
tohavingtaken-allperfectlyharmlessoccurrencesinthemselves,butrenderedsignificantbythefact
thatnoonewouldadmittothem.Therefore,theymustbeofsignificance.Nothingaboutthemfittedin
withthetheoriesofeitherCaptainMarshall'sorLinda'sorofadopegang'sbeingresponsible.Andyet
theymusthavingmeaning.Iwentbackagaintomyfirstsolution-thatPatrickRedfernhadcommitted
the murder. Was there anything in support of that? Yes, the fact that a very large sum of money was
missingfromArlena'saccount.Whohadgotthatmoney?PatrickRedfern,ofcourse.Shewasthetype
ofwomaneasilyswindledbyahandsomeyoungman-butshewasnotatallthetypeofwomantobe
blackmailed.Shewasfartootransparent,notgoodenoughatkeepingasecret.Theblackmailerstory
hadneverrungtruetomymind.Andyettherehadbeenthatconversationoverheard-ah,butoverheard
bywhom?PatrickRedfern'swife.Itwasherstory-unsupportedbyanyoutsideevidence.Whywasit
invented?Theanswercametomelikelightning.ToaccountfortheabsenceofArlena'smoney!

"PatrickandChristineRedfern.Thetwoofthemwereinittogether.Christinehadn'tgotthephysical
strength to strangle her or the mental make-up. No, it was Patrick who had done it - but that was
impossible! Every minute of his time was accounted for until the body was found. Body - the word
bodystirredsomethinginmymind-bodieslyingonthebeach-allalike.PatrickRedfernandEmily
Brewsterhadgottothecoveandseenabodylyingthere.Abody-supposeitwasnotArlena'sbodybut

somebodyelse's?ThefacewashiddenbythegreatChinesehat.

"Buttherewasonlyonedeadbody-Arlena's.Then,coulditbe-alivebody-someonepretendingto
bedead?CoulditbeArlenaherself,inspiredbyPatricktoplaysomekindofajoke.Ishookmyhead-
no, too risky. A live body - whose? Was there any woman who would help Redfern? Of course - his
wife.Butshewasawhite-skinneddelicatecreature-Ah,yes,butsuntancanbeappliedoutofbottles-
bottles-abottle-Ihadoneofmyjigsawpieces.Yes,andafterwards,ofcourse,abath-towashthe
tell-tale stain off before she went out to play tennis. And the scissors? Why, to cut up the duplicate
cardboardhat-anunwieldythingthatmustbegotoutoftheway,andinthehastethescissorswereleft
behind-theonethingthatthepairofmurderersforgot.

"ButwherewasArlenaallthetime?Thatagainwasperfectlyclear.EitherRosamundDarnleyorArlena
Marshall had been in the Pixy's Cave, the scent they both used told me that. It was certainly not
RosamundDarnley.ThenitwasArlena,hidingtillthecoastshouldclear.

"When Emily Brewster went off in the boat, Patrick had the beach to himself and full opportunity to
commit the crime. Arlena Marshall was killed after a quarter to twelve but the medical evidence was
onlyconcernedwiththeearliestpossibletimethecrimecouldhavebeencommitted.ThatArlenawas
deadataquartertotwelvewaswhatwastoldtothedoctor,notwhathetoldthepolice.

"Twomorepointshadtobesettled.LindaMarshall'sevidencegaveChristineRedfernanalibi.Yes,but
that evidence depended on Linda Marshall's wrist-watch. All that was needed was to prove that
Christinehadhadtwoopportunitiesoftamperingwiththewatch.Ifoundthoseeasilyenough.Shehad
beenaloneinLinda'sroomthatmorning-andtherewasanindirectproof.Lindawasheardtosaythat
shewas'afraidshewasgoingtobelate,'butwhenshegotdownitwasonlytwenty-fivepasttenbythe
loungeclock.Thesecondopportunitywaseasy-shecouldalterthewatchbackagainassoonasLinda
turned her back and went down to bathe. Then there was the question of the ladder. Christine had
alwaysdeclaredshehadnoheadforheights.Anothercarefullypreparedlie.

"Ihadmymosaicnow-eachpiecebeautifullyfittedintoitsplace.ButunfortunatelyIhadnodefinite
proof.Itwasallinmymind.Itwasthenthatanideacametome.Therewasanassurance-aslickness
aboutthecrime.IhadnodoubtthatinthefuturePatrickRedfernwouldrepeathiscrime.Whatabout
the past? It was remotely possible that this was not his first killing. The method employed,
strangulation, was in harmony with his nature - a killer for pleasure as well as for profit. If he was
alreadyamurdererIwassurethathewouldhaveusedthesamemeans.IaskedInspectorColgatefora
listofwomenvictimsofstrangulation.Theresultfilledmewithjoy.ThedeathofNellieParsonsfound
strangled in a lonely copse might or might not be Patrick Redfern's work - it might merely have
suggestedchoiceoflocalitytohim,butinAliceCorrigan'sdeathIfoundexactlywhatIwaslookingfor.
Inessencethesamemethod.Jugglingwithtime-amurdercommittednot,asistheusualway,beforeit
issupposedtohavehappened,butafterwards.Abodysupposedlydiscoveredataquarterpastfour.A
husbandwithanalibiuptotwenty-fivepastfour.

"Whatreallyhappened?ItwassaidthatEdwardCorriganarrivedatthePineRidge,foundhiswifewas
notthereandwentoutandwalkedupanddown.Actuallyofcourseheranfullspeedtotherendezvous,
Caesar'sGrove(whichyouwillrememberwasquitenearby),killedherandreturnedtothecafé.The
girlhikerwhoreportedthecrimewasamostrespectableyounglady,gamesmistressinawell-known
girls'school.ApparentlyshehadnoconnectionwithEdwardCorrigan.Shehadtowalksomewayto
reportthedeath.Thepolicesurgeononlyexaminedthebodyataquartertosix.Asinthiscasethetime
ofdeathwasacceptedwithoutquestion.

"Imadeonefinaltest.ImustknowdefinitelyifMrsRedfernwasaliar.Iarrangedourlittleexcursionto
Dartmoor.Ifanyonehadabadheadforheights,theyarenevercomfortablecrossinganarrowbridge
over running water. Miss Brewster, a genuine sufferer, showed giddiness, but Christine Redfern,
unconcerned,ranacrosswithoutaqualm.Itwasasmallpoint,butitwasadefinitetest.Ifshehadtold
one unnecessary lie - then all the other lies were possible. In the meantime Colgate had got the
photograph identified by the Surrey police. I played my hand in the only way I thought likely to
succeed.HavinglulledPatrickRedfernintosecurity,Iturnedonhimanddidmyutmosttomakehim
losehisself-control.TheknowledgethathehadbeenidentifiedwithCorrigancausedhimtolosehis
headcompletely."

Hercule Poirot stroked his throat reminiscently. "What I did," he said with importance, "was
exceedinglydangerous-butIdonotregretit.Isucceeded!Ididnotsufferinvain."

Therewasamoment'ssilence.ThenMrsGardenergaveadeepsigh."Why,M.Poirot,"shesaid."It's
justbeentoowonderful-hearingjustexactlyhowyougotyourresults.It'severybitasfascinatingasa
lectureoncriminology-infactitisalectureoncriminology.Andtothinkmymagentawoolandthat
sunbathing conversation actually had something to do with it! That really makes me too excited for
wordsandI'msureMrGardenerfeelsthesame,don'tyou,Odell?"

"Yes,darling,"saidMrGardener.

HerculePoirotsaid:"MrGardenertoowasofassistancetome.Iwantedtheopinionofasensibleman
aboutMrsMarshall.IaskedMrGardenerwhathethoughtofher."

"Isthatso,"saidMrsGardener."Andwhatdidyousayabouther,Odell?"

MrGardenercoughed.Hesaid:"Well,darling,Ineverdidthinkverymuchofher,youknow."

"That'sthekindofthingmenalwayssaytotheirwives,"saidMrsGardener."Andifyouaskme,even
M.PoirothereiswhatIshouldcallashadeontheindulgentsideabouther,callingheranaturalvictim

andallthat.Ofcourseit'struethatshewasn'taculturedwomanatall,andasCaptainMarshallisn'there
Idon'tmindsayingthatshealwaysdidseemtomekindofdumb.IsaidsotoMrGardener,didn'tI,
Odell?"

"Yes,darling,"saidMrGardener.

LindaMarshallsatwithHerculePoirotonGullCove.Shesaid:"OfcourseI'mgladIdidn'tdieafterall.
Butyouknow,M.Poirot,it'sjustthesameasifI'dkilledher,isn'tit?Imeantto."

Hercule Poirot said energetically: "It is not at all the same thing. The wish to kill and the action of
killing are two different things. If in your bedroom instead of a little wax figure you had had your
stepmotherboundandhelplessandadaggerinyourhandinsteadofapin,youwouldnothavepushedit
intoherheart!Somethingwithinyouwouldhavesaid'no.'Itisthesamewithme.Ienragemyselfatan
imbecile.Isay,'Iwouldliketokickhim.'InsteadIkickthetable.Isay.Thistable,itistheimbecile,I
kick him so.' And then, if I have not hurt my toe too much, I feel much better and the table it is not
usuallydamaged.ButiftheimbecilehimselfwasthereIshouldnotkickhim.Tomakethewaxfigure
andstickinthepinsitissilly,yes,itischildish,yes-butitdoessomethingusefultoo.Youtookthe
hateoutofyourselfandputitintothatlittlefigure.Andwiththepinandthefireyoudestroyed-not
yourstepmother-butthehateyouboreher.Afterwards,evenbeforeyouheardofherdeath,youfelt
cleansed,didyounot-youfeltlighter-happier?"

Lindanodded.Shesaid:"Howdidyouknow?That'sjusthowIdidfeel."

Poirotsaid:"Thendonotrepeattoyourselftheimbecilities.Justmakeupyourmindnottohateyour
nextstepmother."

Lindasaid,startled:"DoyouthinkI'mgoingtohaveanother?Oh,Isee,youmeanRosamund.Idon't
mindher."Shehesitatedaminute."She'ssensible."

ItwasnottheadjectivethatPoirothimselfwouldhaveselectedforRosamundDarnley,butherealized
thatitwasLinda'sideaofhighpraise.

KennethMarshallsaid:"Rosamund,didyougetsomeextraordinaryideaintoyourheadthatI'dkilled
Arlena?"

Rosamundlookedrathershamefaced.Shesaid:"IsupposeIwasadamnedfool."

"Orcourseyouwere."

"Yes,but,Ken,youaresuchanoyster.IneverknewwhatyoureallyfeltaboutArlena.Ididn'tknowif
you accepted her as she was and were just frightfully decent about her, or whether you - well, just
believedinherblindly.AndIthoughtifitwasthatandyousuddenlyfoundoutthatshewaslettingyou
down you might go mad with rage. I've heard stories about you. You're always very quiet but you're
ratherfrighteningsometimes."

"SoyouthoughtIjusttookherbythethroatandthrottledthelifeoutofher?"

"Well-yes-that'sjustexactlywhatIdidthink.Andyouralibiseemedabitonthelightside.That's
whenIsuddenlydecidedtotakeahandandmakeupthatsillystoryaboutseeingyoutypinginyour
room.AndwhenIheardthatyousaidyou'dseenmelookin-well,thatmademequitesureyou'ddone
it.That,andLinda'squeerness."

KennethMarshallsaidwithasigh:"Don'tyourealizethatIsaidI'dseenyouinthemirrorinorderto
backupyourstory.I-Ithoughtyouneededitcorroborated."

Rosamundstaredathim."Youdon'tmeanyouthoughtthatIkilledyourwife?"

KennethMarshallshifteduneasily.Hemumbled:"Dashitall,Rosamund,don'tyourememberhowyou
nearlykilledthatboyaboutthatdogonce?Howyouhungontomythroatandwouldn'tletgo."

"Butthatwasyearsago."

"Yes,Iknow-"

Rosamundsaidsharply:"WhatearthlymotivedoyouthinkIhadtokillArlena?"

His glance shifted. He mumbled something again. Rosamund cried: "Ken, you mass of conceit! You
thoughtIkilledheroutofaltruismonyourbehalf,didyou?Or-ordidyouthinkIkilledherbecauseI
wantedyoumyself?"

"Notatall,"saidKennethMarshallindignantly."Butyouknowwhatyousaidthatday-aboutLinda
andeverything-and-andyouseemedtocarewhathappenedtome."

Rosamundsaid:"I'vealwayscaredaboutthat."

"Ibelieveyouhave.Youknow,Rosamund-Ican'tusuallytalkaboutthings-I'mnotgoodattalking-
butI'dliketogetthisclear.Ididn'tcareforArlena-onlyjustalittleatfirst-andlivingwithherday
afterdaywasaprettynerve-rackingbusiness.Infactitwasabsolutehell,butIwasawfullysorryfor
her.Shewassuchadamnedfool-crazyaboutmen-shejustcouldn'thelpit-andtheyalwayslether
downandtreatedherrottenly.IsimplyfeltIcouldn'tbetheonetogiveherthefinalpush.I'dmarried
heranditwasuptometolookafterherasbestIcould.Ithinksheknewthatandwasgratefultome
really.Shewas-shewasapatheticsortofcreaturereally."

Rosamundsaidgently:"It'sallright,Ken.Iunderstandnow."

WithoutlookingatherKennethMarshallcarefullyfilledapipe.Hemumbled:

"You're-prettygoodatunderstanding,Rosamund."

AfaintsmilecurvedRosamund'sironicmouth.Shesaid:"Areyougoingtoaskmetomarryyounow,
Ken,orareyoudeterminedtowaitsixmonths?"

KennethMarshall'spipedroppedfromhislipsandcrashedontherocksbelow.Hesaid:"Damn,that's
thesecondpipeI'velostdownhere.AndIhaven'tgotanotherwithme.HowthedevildidyouknowI'd
fixedsixmonthsasthepropertime?"

"Isupposebecauseitisthepropertime.ButI'dratherhavesomethingdefinitenow,please.Becausein
the intervening months you may come across some other persecuted female and rush to the rescue in
chivalrousfashionagain."

He laughed. "You're going to be the persecuted female this time, Rosamund. You're going to give up
thatdamneddressmakingbusinessofyoursandwe'regoingtoliveinthecountry."

"Don'tyouknowthatImakeaveryhandsomeincomeoutofmybusiness?Don'tyourealizethatit'smy
business-thatIcreateditandworkeditupandthatI'mproudofit!Andyou'vegotthedamnednerveto
comealongandsay,'Giveitallup,dear.'"

"I'vegotthedamnednervetosayit,yes."

"AndyouthinkIcareenoughforyoutodoit?"

"Ifyoudon't,"saidKennethMarshall,"you'dbenogoodtome."

Rosamundsaidsoftly:"Oh,mydear,I'vewantedtoliveinthecountrywithyouallmylife.Now-it's
goingtocometrue..."