The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

"That, mademoiselle, is a very candid state-ment."

"I am saving you time, M. Poirot. I realize

quite well what you are getting at. My stepmother

married my father for his money. I live here

because I have no money to live elsewhere. There

is a man I wish to marry--a poor man; my father

saw to it that he lost his job. He wanted me, you

see, to marry well--an easy matter since I was to

be his heiress!"

"Your father's fortune passes to you?"

"Yes. That is, he left Louise, my stepmother, a

quarter of a million free of tax, and there are other

legacies, but the residue goes to me." She smiled

suddenly. "So you see, M. Poirot, I had every

reason to desire my father's death!"

"I see, mademoiselle, that you have inherited

your father's intelligence."

She said thoughtfully, "Father was clever ....

One felt that with him--that he had force--driving

power--but it had all turned sour--bitter

-there was no humanity left .... "

Hercule Poirot said softly, "Grand Dieu, but

what an imbecile I am .... "

Joanna Farley turned towards the door. "Is

there anything more?"

"Two little questions. These tongs here," he

picked up the lazytongs, "were they always on the

table?" -

*;'L "Yes. Father used them for picking up things.

I