The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

Miss Lemon's efficient hands sorted them

quickly. "I'll pay all but these two."

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?

"Why those two? There is no error in them."

"They are firms you've only just begun to deal

with. It looks bad to pay too promptly when

you've just opened an account--looks as though

you were working up to get some credit later on."

"Ah!" murmured Poirot. "I bow to your su-perior

knowledge of the British tradesman."

"There's nothing much I don't know about

them," said Miss Lemon grimly.

The letter to Miss Amelia Barrowby was duly

written and sent, but no reply Was forthcoming.

Perhaps, thought Hercule Poirot, the old lady had

unraveled her mystery herself. Yet he felt.a shade

of surprise that in that case she should not have

written a courteous word to say that his services

were no longer required.

It was five days later when Miss Lemon, after

receiving her morning's instructions, said, "That

Miss Barrowby we wrote to--no wonder there's

been no answer. She's dead."

Hercule Poirot said very softly, "Ah--dead."

It sounded not so much like a question as an

answer.

Opening her handbag, Miss Lemon produced a

newspaper cutting. "I saw it in the tube and tore it

out."

Just registering in his mind approval of the fact