"Of course not. D'you think I'd lend myself to
such tomfoolery?"
?Then I think one can say that your theory is
definitely improbable."
"But the dream, you fool, the dream."
"The dream is certainly remarkable,,, said
Poirot thoughtfully. He paused and then Went on.
"I should like to see the scene of this dramathe
table, the clock, and the revolver."
"Of course, I'll take you next door."
Wrapping the folds of his dressing-gowN round
him, the old man half-rose from his chair. Then
suddenly, as though a thought had struck him, he
resumed his seat.
"No," he said. "There's nothing to see there.
I've told you all there is to tell."
"But I should like to see for myselfm"
"There's no need," Farley snapped. "You've
given me your opinion. That's the end."
156
Agatha Christie
Poirot shrugged his shoulders. "As you please."
He rose to his feet. "I am sorry, Mr. Farley, that I
have not been able to be of assistance to you."
Benedict Farley was staring straight ahead of
him.
"Don't want a lot of hanky-pankying around,"
he growled out. "I've told you the facts--you
can't make anything of them. That closes the mat-ter.
You can send me in a bill for a consultation