The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

br /> When we were sttled in the dining-room and

Gwen had brought the cherry brandy, Mr. Pethe-rick

explained the reson for his visit.

"Miss Marple," Be said, "you must forgive an

old friend for takin a liberty. What I have come

here for is a consultation."

I couldn't understand at all what he meant, and

he went on:

"In a case of illess one likes two points of

view--that of the specialist and that of the family

physician. It is the fashion to regard the former as

of more value, but I am not sure that I agree. The

specialist has experience only in his own subject--the

family doctor has, perhaps, less knowledge--but

a wider experience."

I knew just what he meant, because a young

niece of mine not ing before had hurried her

child off to a very ell-known specialist in skin

diseases without consulting her own doctor whom

she considered an old dodderer, and the specialist

had ordered some vegY expensive treatment, and

later they found that all the child was suffering

from was rather an un0sual form of measles.

I just mention this--though I have a horror of digressing--to show that I appreciated Mr.

Petherick's point--bui I still hadn't any idea of

what he was driving at.

"If Mr. Rhodes is ill--" I said, and stopped--because

the poor ma gave the most dreadful

laugh.

He said: "I expect t( die of a broken neck in a