The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

something in the shaking hands, the trembling

shrillness of the voice, warned him that the denial

was too vehement, that its very insistence was in

itself suspect. He contented himself with saying:

"And where do I come in, Monsieur?"

Benedict Farley calmed down suddenly. He

tapped with an emphatic finger on the table beside

him.

154

Agatha Christie

"There's another possibility. And if it's right,

you're the man to know about it! You're famous,

you've had hundreds of cases--fantastic, improbable

cases! You'd know if anyone does."

"Know what?"

Farley's voice dropped to a whisper.

"Supposing someone wants to kill me ....

Could they do it this way? Could they make me

dream that dream night after night?"

"Hypnotism, you mean?"

"Yes."

Hercule Poirot considered the question.

"It would be possible, I suppose," he said at

last. "It is more a question for a doctor."

"You don't know of such a case in your experience?''

"Not precisely on those lines, no."

"You see what I'm driving at? I'm made to

dream the same dream, night after night, night

after night--and then--one day the suggestion is

too much for me--and I act upon it. I do what