The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

"I beg your pardon?"

POirot smiled at her slight discomfiture.

"I said, 'Why not?' "he repeated.

"I'm not sure that I understand."

"Yet it is very simple. The police--the lawyers

--they will all ask the same question: Why did

Major Rich kill M. Clayton? I ask the opposite. I

ask you, madame, why did Major Rich not kill

Major Clayton?"

"You mean--why I'm so sure? Well, but I

know. I know Major Rich so well."

"You know Major Rich so well," repeated

Poirot tonelessly.

The color flamed into her cheeks.

"Yes, that's what they'll say--what they'll

think! Oh, I know!"

"C'est vrai. That is what they will ask you

about--how well you knew Major Rich. Perhaps

you will speak the truth, perhaps you will lie. It is

very necessary for a woman to lie sometimes.

Women must defend themselves--and the lie, it is

a good weapon. But there are three people, ma-dame,

to whom a woman should speak the truth.

To her father confessor, to her hairdresser and to

her private detective--if she trusts him. Do you

trust me, madame?"

Marguerita Clayton drew a deep breath. "Yes,"

she said. "I do. I must," she added rather child-ishly.

"Then, how well do you know Major Rich?"

THE MYSTERY OF THE BAGDAD CHEST 37