The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

particular that they should be flowers she likes."

"That ees very charming of you, M. P0irot. I

weel tell you--I adore the big dark red carnations

--or the dark red roses."

"Superb--yes, SUperb! You do not, then, like

yellow fiowersyellow irises?"

"Yellow flowers--no--they do not accord with

my temperament."

"How wise .... Tell me, Mademoiselle, did you

ring up a friend tonight, since you arrived here?"

"I? Ring up a friend? No, what a curious question!''

"Ah, but I, I am a very curious man."

"I'm sure yoo are." She rolled her dark eyes at

him. "A vairy dangerous man."

"No, no, not dangerous; say, a man who may

be useful--in danger! You understand?"

Lola giggled. She showed white even teeth.

"No, no," she laughed. "You are dangerous."

Hercule Poirot sighed.

YELLOW IRIS

1 13

"I see that you do not understand. All this is

very strange."

Tony came out of a fit of

abstraction and said

suddenly:

"Lola, what about a spot of swoop and dip?

Come along."

"I weel come--yes. Since M. Poirot ecs not

brave enough I"