THE REGATTA MYSTERY
21
of the lady. Clearly then, Mrs. Rustington."
Llewellyn said with something of an effort,
,'She--she's had rather an unfortunate experi-ence.
Her husband was a down and out rotter. It's
made her unwilling to trust anyone. She--if she
thinks--"
He found it difficult to go on.
"Quite so," said Mr. Parker Pyne. "I see the
matter is important. It must be cleared up."
Evan gave a short laugh.
"That's easy to say."
"And quite easy to do," said Mr. Parker Pyne.
"You think so?"
"Oh, yes--the problem is so clear cut. So many
possibilities are ruled out. The answer must really
be extremely simple. Indeed already I have a kind
of glimmering--"
Llewellyn stared at him incredulously.
Mr. Parker Pyne drew a pad of paper towards
him and picked up a pen.
"Perhaps you would give me a brief description
of the party."
"Haven't I already done so?"
"Their personal appearance--color of hair and
$o on."
"But, Mr. Parker Pyne, what can that have to
do with it?"
"A good deal, young man, a good deal. Classi-fication