The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

minute."

"Well, you admit it's quite calm now."

M. Poirot admitted this grudgingly. ",'i ce

moment, yes. That is why I revive. I once more interest

myself in what passea around mewyour very

adept handling Of the General Forbes, for instance."

"You meanw" Miss Hetdei-son paused.

Hercule Poirot bowed. "Your methods of extracting

the scandalous matter. Admirable!"

Miss Henderson laughed in an unashamed manner.

"That touch about the Guards.'? I knew that

would bring the old boy up spluttering and gasping.''

She leaned forward Confidentially. "I admit I like scandal--the more ill-natured, the better!"

Poirot looked thoughtfully at her--her slim

196

Agatha Christie

well-preserved figure, her keen dark eyes, her gray

hair; a woman of forty-five who was content to

look her age.

Ellie said abruptly: "I have it! Aren't you the

great detective?"

Poirot bowed. "You are too amiable, Ma-demoiselle."

But he made no disclaimer.

"How thrilling," said Miss Henderson. "Are

you 'hot on the trail' as they say in books? Have

we a criminal secretly in our midst? Or am I being

indiscreet?"

"Not at all. Not at all. It pains me to disappoint

your expectations, but I am simply here, like

everyone else, to amuse myself."