The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

said I was to have the utmost confidence in you.

She advised me to tell you everything--and that

you'd put the whole thing right."

Inwardly Mr. Parker Pyne cursed the obtrusive

Mrs. Wycherley.

Resigning himself he said:

"Well, let us thrash the matter out. A girl, I

suppose?"

"Did he tell you about her?"

"Only indirectly."

Words poured in a vehement stream from Mrs.

Chester. The girl was dreadful. She drank, she

swore--she wore no clothes to speak of. Her sister

lived out here--was married to an artist--a Dutch-man.

The whole set was most undesirable. Half of

them were living together without being married.

Basil was completely changed. He had always

88

Agatha Christie

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been so quiet, so interested in serious subjects. H

had thought at one time of taking up archae

ology-''

"Well, well," said Mr. Parker Pyne. "Nature

will have her revenge."

"What do you mean?"

"It isn't healthy for a young man to be inter

ested in serious subjects· He ought to be making

'an idiot of himself over one girl after another."