had wandered round here and dropped it."
"Yes," said Stillingfleet with a sigh. "That's
probably what the ordinary person would have
thought. But not good old Hercule! D'you know,
old horse, up to the very last minute I thought you
were leading up to some subtle theory of highfalu-tin
psychological 'suggested' murder? I bet those
two thought so too! Nasty bit of goods, the Far-ley.
Goodness, how she cracked! Cornworthy
might have got away with it if she hadn't had
hysterics and tried to spoil your beauty by going
for you with her nails. I only got her off you just
in 'time."
He paused a minute and then said:
"I rather like the girl. Grit, you know, and
brains. I suppose I'd be thought to be a fortune
178
Agatha Christie
hunter if I had a shot at her... ?"
"You are too late, my friend. There is already
someone sur le tapis. Her father's death has
opened the way to happiness."
"Take it all round, she had a pretty good
motive for bumping off the unpleasant parent."
"Motive and opportunity are not enough," said
Poirot. "There must also be the criminal tempera-ment!''
"I wonder if you'll ever commit a crime,
Poirot?" said Stillingfleet. "I bet you could get
away with it all right. As a matter of fact, it would
be too easy for you--I mean the thing would be