The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

extraordinary 'dream'--the strange compulsion

he felt to kill himself! A few credulous people will

discuss the hypnotism theory--but the main result

will be to confirm without a doubt that the actual

hand that held the revolver was Benedict Farley's

own."

Hercule Poirot's eyes went to the widow's face

--the dismay--the ashy pallor--the blind fear.

"And in due course," he finished gently, "the

happy ending would have been achieved. A

THE DREAM

177

quarter of a million and two hearts that beat as

one .... "

John Stillingfleet, M.D., and Hercule Poirot

walked along the side of Northway House. On

their right was the towering wall of the factory.

Above them, on their left, were the windows of

Benedict Farley's and Hugo Cornworthy's rooms.

Hercule Poirot stopped and picked up a small ob-ject--a

black stuffed cat.

"Voild," he said. "That is what Cornworthy

held in the lazytongs against Farley's window.

You remember, he hated cats? Naturally he

rushed to the window."

"Why on earth didn't Cornworthy come out

and pick it up after he'd dropped it?"

"How could he? To do so would have been

definitely suspicious. After all, if this object where

found what would anyone think--that some child