The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

goes through the evening hoping for the best. But

after the guests are gone? Surely, then is the time

to dispose of the body."

"Perhaps he hoped the valet wouldn't notice

the stain?"

"That, mort ami, is absurd. A stained carpet is

THE MYSTERY OF THE BAGDAD CHEST

the first thing a good servant would be bound to,

notice. And Major Rich, he goes to bed and snores

there comfortably and does nothing at all about

the matter. Very remarkable and interesting,

that."

"Curtiss might have seen the stains when he

was changing the records the night before?" I sug,

gested.

"That is unlikely. The screen would throw

deep shadow just there. No, but I begin to see,

Yes, dimly I begin to see."

"See what?" I asked eagerly.

"The possibilities, shall we say, of an alter,,

native explanation. Our next visit may throw light

on things."

Our next visit was to the doctor who had exam,

ined the body. His evidence was a mere recapitula,

tion of what he had already given at the inquest.

Deceased had been stabbed to the heart with

long thin knife something like a stiletto. The knife

had been left in the wound. Death had been in,

stantaneous. The knife was the property of Major

Rich and usually lay on his writing table. Ther