The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

/> of that foul crime to justice." He paused and

cleared his throat. "We have on board with us M.

Hercule Poirot who is probably known to you all

as a man who has had wide experience in--erin

such matters. I hope you will listen carefully to

what he has to say."

It was at this minute that Colonel Clapperton

who had not been at dinner came in and sat down

next to General Forbes. He looked like a man

bewildered by sorrow--not at all like a man con-scious

of great relief. Either he was a very good

actor or else he had been genuinely fond of his

disagreeable wife.

"M. Hercule Poirot," said the Captain and

stepped down. Poirot took his place. He looked

comically self-important as he beamed on his au-dience.

"Messieurs, Mesdames," he began. "It is most

kind of you to be so indulgent as to listen to me.

M. !e Capitaine has told you that I have had a cer-tain

experience in these matters. I have, it is true, a

little idea of my own about how to get to the bot-tom

of this particular case." He made a sign and a

steward pushed forward and passed up to him a

bulky, shapeless object wrapped in a sheet.

"What I am about to do may surprise you a

212

Agatha Christie

little," Poirot warned them. "It may occur to you

that I am eccentric, perhaps mad. Nevertheless I

assure you that behind my madness there is--as