The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

"Oh, I see. I hoped you meant something more

definite than that. Well, I can only say that I

didn't throw it out. I can't expect you to believe

/> me--or anyone else."

"Oh, yes, I believe you," said Mr. Parker Pyne.

"You do? Why?"

"Not a criminal type," said Mr. Parker Pyne.

"Not, that is, the particular criminal type that

steals jewelry. There are crimes, of course, that

you might commit--but we won't enter into that

subject. At any rate I do not see you as the pur-!oiner

of the Morning Star."

"Everyone else does though," said Llewellyn

bitterly.

"I see," said Mr. Parker Pyne.

"They looked at me in a queer sort of way at the

time. Marroway picked up the paper and just

glanced over at the window. He didn't say any-thing.

But Pointz cottoned on to it quick enough!

I could see what they thought. There hasn't been

any open accusation, that's the devil of it."

Mr. Parker Pyne nodded sympathetically.

"It is worse than that," he said.

"Yes. It's just suspicion. I've had a fellow

Agatha Christie

round asking questions--routine inquiries, he

called it. One of the new dress-shirted lot of

police, I suppose. Very tactful2nothing at all

hinted. Just interested in the fact that I'd been