The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

Mr. Parker Pyne at Palma in the early hours of

the morning--and straightaway he met with disillusionment.

The hotels were full! The best that

could be done for him was an airless cupboard

overlooking an inner court in a hotel in the center

of the town--and with that Mr. Parker Pyne was

not prepared to put up. The proprietor of the

hotel was indifferent to his disappointment.

"What will you?" he observed with a shrug.

Palma was popular now! The exchange was favorable!

Everyone--the English, the Americans--they

all came to Majorca in the winter. The whole

place was crowded. It was doubtful if the English

gentleman would be able to get in anywhere--except

perhaps at Formentor where the prices were

so ruinous that even foreigners blenched at them.

Mr. Parker Pyne partook of some coffee and a

roll and went out to view the cathedral, but found

Agatha Christie

himself in no mood for apprecisung

lies

of architecture.

[ke

He next had a conference with a "

Rea

driver in inadequate French inte x.

.ith

native Spanish, and they discussed th "dly,0d