The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21) - Page 66

a little more explicit. It would have helped us

now."

"Or there might have been no need for help."

"You mean?"

"She might have been alive."

"You go as far as that, do you? H'm--I'm not

sure you're wrong."

"I pray of you, inspector, recount to me the

facts. I know nothing at all."

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?

65

"That's easily done. Old lady was taken bad

after dinner on Tuesday night. Very alarming.

Convulsions--spasms--what not. They sent for

the doctor. By the time he arrived she was dead.

Idea was she'd died of a fit. Well, he didn't much

like the look of things. He hemmed and hawed

and put it with a bit of soft sawder, but he made it

clear that he couldn't give a death certificate. And

as far as the family go, that's where the matter

stands. They're awaiting the result of the post-mortem.

We've got a bit farther. The doctor gave

us the tip right away--he and the police surgeon

did the autopsy together--and the result is in no

doubt whatever. The old lady died of a large dose

of strychnine."

"Aha!"

"That's right. Very nasty bit of work. Point is,

who gave it to her? It must have been administered

very shortly before death. First idea was it was

Tags: Agatha Christie Hercule Poirot Mystery
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