The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

"Of course one gets rather tired of piquet. As a

matter of fact I've got some friends here-- fright

Agatha Christie

fully cheery crowd. I don't really think my mother

approves of them--" He laughed as though he felt

this ought to be amusing. "The mater's very old-fashioned

.... Even girls in trousers shock her!"

" '

r P n

Qmteso, sadMr. Parke y e.

"What I tell her s--one s got to move with the

times The

girls at home round us are frightfully

dull "

"I see," said Mr. Parker Pyne.

All

this interested him well enough· He was a

spectator of a miniature drama, but he was not

called upon to take part in it.

And then the worst--from Mr. Parker Pyne's

point of view--happened. A gushing lady of his

acquaintance came to stay at the Mariposa. They met in the tea shop in the presence of Mrs.

Chester.

The newcomer screamed:

"Why--if it isn't Mr. Parker Pyne--the one

and only Mr. Parker Pyne! And Adela Chester!

Do you know each other? Oh, you do? You're

staying at the same hotel? He's the one and only