The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

exclaimed at its beauty and passed it to Mr. Leatl

ern who said, "Pretty good--yes, pretty good," i

a somewhat artificial manner and in his tur,

passed it to Llewellyn.

The waiters coming in at that moment there wa

a slight hitch in the proceedings. When they hat

gone again, Evan said, "Very fine stone" ant

passed it to Leo Stein who did not trouble to mak,

any comment but handed it quickly on to Eve.

Agatha Christie

"How perfectly lovely," cried Eve in a high affected

voice.

"Oh!" She gave a cry of consternation as it

slipped from her hand. "I've dropped it."

She pushed back her chair and got down to

grope under the table. Sir George at her right, bent

also. A glass got swept off the table in the confusion.

Stein, Llewellyn and Mrs. Rustington all

helped in the search. Finally Lady Marroway

joined in.

Only Mr. Pointz took no part in the proceedings.

He remained in his seat sipping his wine and

smiling sardonically.

"Oh, dear," said Eve, still in her artificial

manner. "How dreadful! Where can it have rolled

to? I can't find it anywhere."

One by one the assistant searchers rose to their

feet.

"It's disappeared all right, Pointz," said Sir