The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

After greetings and introductions, Poirot narrated

simply and clearly the circumstances of his

visit and the story told him by Benedict Farley. He

could not complain of any lack of interest.

"Most extraordinary story I've ever heard!"

said the inspector. "A dream, eh? Did you know

anything about this, Mrs. Farley?"

She bowed her head.

"My husband mentioned it to me. It upset him

very much. I--I told him it was indigestion--his

diet, you know, was very peculiar--and suggested

his calling in Dr. Stillingfleet."

That young man shook his head.

"He didn't consult me. From M. Poirot's story,

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Agatha Christie

I gather he went to Harley Street."

"I would like your advice on that point, doc-tor,''

said Poirot. "Mr. Farley told me that he

consulted three specialists. What do you think of

the theories they advanced?"

Stillingfleet frowned.

"It's difficult to say. You've got to take into

count that what he passed on to you wasn't exactly

what had been said to him. It was a layman's in-terpretation.''

"You mean he had got the phraseology

wrong?"

"Not exactly. I mean they would put a thing to

him in professional terms, he'd get the meaning a

little distorted, and then recast it in his own lan-guage.''