The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

"Yes, but that's all right, because I don't dance.

I put on the records and the others danced."

THE MYSTERY OF THE BAGDAD CHEST

41

"Who danced most with whom?"

"Well, as a matter of fact the Spences like danc-ing

together. They've got a sort of craze on

fancy steps and all that."

"So that Mrs. Clayton danced mostly with

Major Rich?"

"That's about it."

"And then you played poker?"

"Yes."

"And when did you leave?"

"Oh, quite early. A little after midnight."

"Did you all leave together?"

"Yes. As a matter of fact, we shared a taxi,

dropped Mrs. Clayton first, then me, and the

Spences took it on to Kensington."

Our next visit was to Mr. and Mrs. Spence.

Only Mrs. Spence was at home, but her account of

the evening tallied with that of Major Curtiss

except that she displayed a slight acidity concern-ing

Major Rich's luck at cards.

Earlier in the morning Poirot had had a tele-phone

conversation with Inspector Japp, of Scot-land

Yard. As a result we arrived at Major Rich's

rooms and found his manservant, Burgoyne, ex-pecting

us.

The valet's evidence was very precise and clear.