The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

was the real reason for your party tonight. The

safest place to commit a murder is in the middle of

a crowd."

"What the--why the hell should I want to kill

Pauline?"

"It might be, perhaps, a question of money.

Your wife left you guardian to her sister. You

mentioned that fact tonight. Pauline is twenty. At

twenty-one or on her marriage you would have to

render an account of your stewardship. I suggest

that you could not do that. You have specu-lated

with it. I do not know, Mr. Barton Russell,

whether you killed your wife in the same way, or

whether her suicide suggested the idea of this

crime to you, but I do know that tonight you have

been guilty of attempted murder. It rests with Miss

Pauline whether you are prosecuted for that."

"No," said Pauline. "He can get out of my

sight and out of this country: I don't want a

scandal."

"You had better go quickly, Mr. Barton

Russell, and I advise you to be careful in future."

Barton Russell got up, his face working.

YELLOW IRIS

123

"To hell with you, you interfering little Belgian

jackanapes."

He strode out angrily.

Pauline sighed.

"M. Poirot, you've been wonderful .... "