The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

Sir Malcolm was a young man, Mr. Petherick

said, very up to date in his methods, and he had

indicated a certain line of defense. But with that

line of defense Mr. Petherick was not entirely

satisfied.

"You see, my dear lady," he said, "it is tainted

with what I call the specialist's point of view. Give

Sir Malcolm a case and he sees only one point--

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the most likely line of defense. But even the best

line of defense may ignore completely what is, to

my mind, the vital point. It takes no account of

what actually happened."

Then he went on to say some very kind and flattering

things about my acumen and judgment and

my knowledge of human nature, and asked permission

to tell me the story of the case in the hopes

that I might be able to suggest some explanation.

I could see that Mr. Rhodes was highly skeptical

of my being of any use anl that he was annoyed at

being brought here. But Mr. Petherick took no

notice and proceeded to give me the fasts of what

occurred on the night of March 8th.

Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes had been staying at the

Crown Hotel in Barncheater. Mrs. Rhodes who

(so I gathered from Mr. Petherick's careful language)

was perhaps just a shade of a hypochondriac,

had retired to bed in, mediately after dinner.

She and her husband occupied adjoining rooms