The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

Mr. Benedict Farley would like to have the

benefit of your advice. If convenient to your-self

he would be glad if you would call upon

him at the above address at 9:30 tomorrow

(Thursday) evening.

Yours truly,

HUGO CORNWORTHY.

(Secretary).

P.S.--Please bring this letter with you.

Deftly the butler relieved Poirot of hat, stick,

and overcoat. He said:

"Will you please come up to Mr. Cornworthy's

room?"

148

Agatha Christie

He led the way up the broad staircase. Poirot

followed him, looking with appreciation at such oh jets d'art as were of an opulent and florid nature!

His taste in art was always somewhat bourgeois.

On the first floor the butler knocked on a door.

Hercule Poirot's eyebrows rose very slightly. It

was the first jarring note. For the best butlers do

not knock at doors--and yet indubitably this was

a first-class butler!

It was, so to speak, the first intimation of contact

with the eccentricity of a millionaire. ,

A voice from within called out something. The

butler threw open the door. He announced (and

again Poirot sensed the deliberate departure from

orthodoxy):

"The gentleman you are expecting, sir."