The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

"The Sefiorita DOlores Ramona will leave Poi-lensa

tomorrow morning and the island tomorrow

night.."

"Oh, Mr. Parker Pyne! How did you manage

it?"

"It won't cost a Cnt," said Mr. Parker Pyne.

Again his cycs twinkled. "I rather fancied I might

have a hold over her---and I was right."

"You arc wonderful. Nina Wycherley was quite

right. Youmust let me know--er--your fees-'

Mr. Parker Pyue held up a well-manicured

hand.

"Not a penny. It has been a pleasure. I hope all

will go well. Of course the boy will be very upset at

first when he finds she's disappeared and left no

address. Just go easy with him for a week or two."

"If only Betty will forgive him--"

"She'll forgive him all right. They're a nice

couple. By the way, I'm leaving tomorrow, too."

"Oh, Mr. Parker lyne, we shall miss you."

"Perhaps it's just as well I should go before that

boy of yours gets infatuated with yet a third girl."

Mr. Parker Pyne leaned over the rail of the

100

Agatha Christie

steamer and looked at the lights of Palma. Beside

him stood Dolores Ramona. He was saying appre-ciatively:

"A very nice piece of work, Madeleine. I'm

glad I wired you to come out. It's odd when you're

such a quiet stay-at-home girl really."