The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

and moneyma life of ease."

She looked at him suspiciously.

As he went out Sims said to him, "I didn't quite

get what you said through the telephone--some-thing

about the girl having a friend."

"She has one. Me!" said Hercule Poirot, and

had left the police station before the inspector

could pull his wits together.

At the Green Cat tearooms, Miss Lemon did

not keep her employer waiting. She went straight

to the point.

"The man's name is Rudge, in the High Street,

and you were quite right. A dozen and a half ex-actly.

I've made a note of what he said." She

handed it to him.

"Arrr." It was a deep, rich sound like the purr

of a cat.

Hercule Poirot betook himself to Rosebank. As

he stood in the front garden, the sun setting be-hind

him, Mary Delafontaine came out to him.

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?

75

"M. Poirot?" Her voice sounded surprised.

"You have come back?"

"Yes, I have come back." He paused and then

said, "When I first came here, madame, the

children's nursery rhyme came into my head:

Mistress Mary, quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

With cockle-shells, and silver bells,