the Embassy in Washington, Mr. Anthony Chapell
who had been a guest in our house for some
weeks, and Sefiora Valdez who was at that time
enchanting New York City with her dancing. Little
Pauline here"--he patted her shoulder--"was only
sixteen but she came to the supper party as a
special treat. You remember, Pauline?"
"I remember--yes."
Her voice shook a little. "M. Poirot,
on that night a tragedy happened. There was
a roll of drums and the cabaret started.
ยท The
lights
went down--all but a spotlight in the middle of
the floor. When the lights went up
116
Agatha Christie
again, M. Poirot, my wife was seen to have fallen
forward on the table. She was dead--stone dead.
There was potassium cyanide found in the dregs of
her wine-glass, and the remains of the packet was
discovered in her handbag."
"She had committed suicide?" said Poirot.
"That was the accepted verdict .... It broke me
up, M. Poirot. There was, perhaps, a possible
reason for such an action--the police thought so. I
accepted their decision."
He pounded suddenly on the table.
"But I was not satisfied .... No, for four years
I've been thinking and broodingwand I'm not