The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

were no fingerprints on it, the doctor understood,

It had been either wiped or held in a handkerchief.

As regards time, any time between seven and hint

seemed indicated.

"He could not, for instance, have been kille

after midnight?" asked Poirot.

"No. That I can say. Ten o'clock at the outsid

--but seven-thirty to eight seems clearly indi,

cated."

"There is a second hypothesis possible," Poirol

said when we were back home. "I wonder if y0

46

Agatha Christie

see it, Hastings. To me it is very plain, and I only

need one point to clear up the matter for good and

all. ' '

"It's no good," I said. "I'm not there."

"But make an effort, Hastings. Make an ef-fort.''

"Very well," I said. "At seven-forty Clayton is

alive and well. The last person to see him alive is

Rich--"

"So we assume."

"Well, isn't it so?"

"You forget, rnon ami, that Major Rich denies

that. He states explicitly that Clayton had gone

when he came in"

"But the valet says that he would have heard

Clayton leave because of the bang of the door.

And also, if Clayton had left, when did he return?

He couldn't have returned after midnight because