The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

as though she had been crying.

They greeted him in a friendly fashion, but

neither of them mentioned Basil.

Suddenly he heard the girl beside him draw in

her breath sharply as though something had hurt

her. Mr. Parker Pyne turned his head.

Basil Chester was coming up the steps from the

sea front. With him was a girl so exotically beauti-ful

that it quite took your breath away. She was

dark and her figure was marvelous. No one could

fail to notice the fact since she wore nothing but a

single garment of pale blue crepe. She was heavily

made up with ocher powder and an orange scarlet

mouth--but the unguents only displayed her re-markable

beauty in a more pronounced fashion.

As for young Basil, he seemed unable to take his

eyes from her face.

"You're very late, Basil," said his mother.

"You were to have taken Betty to Mac's."

"My fault," drawled the beautiful unknown.

"We just drifted." She turned to Basil. "Angel--

94

Agatha Christie

get me something with a kick in it!"

She tossed off her shoe and stretched out her

manicured toenails which were done emerald

green to match her fingernails.

She paid no attention to the two women, but she

leaned a little towards Mr. Parlcr. Pyne.

"Terrible island this," she said. "I wds just