The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

"Precisely," said the inspector dryly. "How'

ever, after your clearing up of the situation--"

Poirot interrupted him. "One little minute."

He turned to Mrs. Farley. "Had your husband

ever been hypnotized?"

"Never."

"Had he studied the question of hypnotism?

Was he interested in the subject.O"

164

Agatha Christie

She shook her head. "I don't think so."

Suddenly her self-control seemed to break

down. "That horrible dream! It's uncanny! That

he should have dreamed that--night after night--and

then--and then--it's as though he were--

hounded to death!"

Poirot remembered Benedict Farley saying--"I

proceed to do that which I really wish to do. I put

an end to myself."

He said, "Had it ever occurred to you that your

husband might be tempted to do away with him-self?"

"No--at least--sometimes he was very

queer .... "

Joanna Farley's voice broke in clear and scorn-ful.

"Father would never have killed himself. He

was far too careful of himself."

Dr. Stillingfleet said, "It isn't the people who

threaten to commit suicide who usually do it, you

know, Miss Farley. That's why suicides sometimes

seem unaccountable."