The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

opened and Joanna Farley came in.

"You do not mind, mademoiselle, if I ask you a

few questions?"

She returned his glance coolly. "Please ask

anything you choose."

"Did you know that your father kept a revolver

in his desk?"

"No."

"Where were you and your mother--that is to

say your stepmother--that is right?"

"Yes, Louise is my father's second wife. She is

only eight years older than I am. You were about

to say--?"

"Where were you and she on Thursday of last

week? That is to say, on Thursday night."

She reflected for a minute or two.

"Thursday? Let me see. Oh, yes, we had gone

to the theater. To see Little Dog Laughed."

"Your father did not suggest accompanying

you?"

"He never went out to theaters."

"What did he usually do in the evenings?"

"He sat in here and read."

"He was not a very sociable man?"

THE DREAM

167

The girl looked at him directly. "My father,"

she said, "had a singularly unpleasant personality.

No one who lived in close association with him

could possibly be fond of him."