The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21) - Page 85

In a small hotel it caused constraint if one did not

do so. This particular woman, he felt sure, had ex-cellent

"hotel manners," as he put it.

The English boy rose from his seat, made some

laughing remark and passed into the hotel. The

woman took her letters and bag and settled herself

in a chair facing the sea. She unfolded a copy of

the Continental Daily Mail. Her back was to Mr.

Parker Pyne.

As he dra0k the last drop of his coffee, Mr.

Parker Pyne glanced in her direction, and in-stantly

he stiffened. He was alarmed--alarmed for

the peaceful continuance of his holiday! That

back was horribly expressive. In his time he had

classified many such backs. Its rigidity--the

tenseness of its poise--without seeing her face he

knew well enough that the eyes were bright with

unshed tearsthat the woman was keeping herself

PROBLEM AT POLLENSA BAY

83

in hand by a rigid effort.

Moving warily, like a much-hunted animal, Mr.

Parker Pyne retreated into the hotel. Not half an

hour before he had been invited to sign his name

in the book lying on the desk. There it was--a neat

signature--C. Parker Pyne, London.

A few lines above Mr. Parker Pyne noticed the

entries: Mrs. R. Chester, Mr. Basil Chester--Holm

Park, Devon.

Seizing a pen, Mr. Parker Pyne wrote rapidly

Tags: Agatha Christie Hercule Poirot Mystery
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