The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

THE DREAM

151

He leaned forward. His voice dropped to a

croak.

"Yes. Yes,.. I want to hear what you've got to

say--what you think .... Go to the top! That's

my way! The best doctor--the best detective--it's

between the two of them."

"As yet, Monsieur, I do not understand."

"Naturally," snapped Farley. "I haven't begun

to tell you."

He leaned forward once more and shot out an

abrupt question.

"What do you know, M. Poirot, about

dreams?"

The little man's eyebrows rose. Whatever he

had expected, it was not this.

"For that, Monsieur Farley, I should recommend

Napoleon's Book of Dreams--or the latest

practicing psychologist from Harley Street."

Benedict Farley said soberly, "I've tried go th .... ' '

There was a paus.e, then the millionaire spoke,

at first almost in a whisper, then with a voice

growing higher and higher.

"It's the same dream--night after night. And

I'm afraid, I tell you--I'm afraid .... It's always

the same. I'm sitting in my room next door to this.

Sitting at my desk, writing. There's a clock there

and I glance at it and see the time--exactly twenty-eight

minutes past three. Always the same time,