doesn't, I suppose," said lllie drily. "The man
was a fool ever to have married her."
In the darkness Poirot smiled. "You don't
think it's just possible that the marriage may be a
success?" he asked diffidently.
"With a woman like that?"
Poirot shrugged his shoulders. "Many odious
women have devoted husbands. An enigma of
Nature. You will admit that nothing she says or
does appears to gall him."
Miss Henderson was considering her reply when
Mrs. Clapperton's voice floated out through the
smoking-room window.
"No--I don't think I will play another rubber.
So stuffy. I think I'll go up and get some air on the
boat deck."
"Good-night," said Miss Henderson. "I'm
going to bed." She disappeared abruptly.
Poirot strolled forward to the lounge--deserted
save for Colonel Clapperton and the two girls. He
was doing card tricks for them, and noting the
dexterity of his shuffling and handling of the
cards, Poirot remembered the General's story of a
career on the music hall stage.
"I see you enjoy the cards even though you do
PROBLEM AT SEA
203
not play bridge,'' he remarked.
"I've my reasons for not playing bridge," said
Clapperton, his charming smile breaking out. "I'll