The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories

The others were still in the library. Poirot ad-dressed himself to the secretary:

"I want you, Mr. Cornworthy, to recount to me in detail the exact circumstances of Mr. Farley's summons to me. When, for instance, did Mr. Farley dictate that letter?"

"On Wednesday afternoon--at five-thirty, as far as I can remember."

"Were there any special directions about post-ing it?"

"He told me to post it myself." "And you did so?" "Yes."

THE DREAM 169

"Did he give any special instructions to the butler about admitting me?"

"Yes. He told me to tell Holmes (Holmes is the butler) that a gentleman would be calling at 9:30. He was to ask the gentleman's name. He was also to ask to see the letter."

''Rather peculiar precautions to take, don't you think?"

Cornworthy shrugged his shoulders.

"Mr. Farley," he said carefully, "was rather a peculiar man."

"Any other instructions?"

"Yes. He told me to take the evening off." "Did you do so?"

"Yes, immediately after dinner I went to the cinema. ' '

"When did you return?"

"I let myself in about a quarter past eleven." "Did you see Mr. Farley again that evening?" "No."

"And he did not mention the matter the next

morning?"

"No."

Poirot paused a moment, then resumed, "When I arrived I was not shown into Mr. Farley's own room."

"No. He told me that I was to tell Holmes to show you into my room."

"Why was that? Do you know?"

Cornworthy shook his head. "I never ques-tioned any of Mr. Farley's orders," he said dryly. "He would have resented it if I had."

"Did he usually receive visitors in his own room?"

170 Agatha Christie

"Usually, but not always. Sometimes he saw them in my room." "Was there any reason for that?" Hugo Cornworthy considered. "No--I hardly think so--I've never really

thought about it."

Turning to Mrs. Farley, Poirot asked: "You permit that I ring for your butler?" "Certainly, M. Poirot." Very correct, very urbane, Holmes answered the bell. "You rang, madam?" Mrs. Farley indicated Poirot with a gesture. Holmes turned politely. "Yes, sir?" "What were your instructions, Holmes, on the Thursday night when I came here?" Holmes cleared his throat, then said: "After dinner Mr. Cornworthy told me that Mr. Farley expected a Mr. Hercule Poirot at 9:30. I was to.ascertain the gentleman's name, and I was to verify the information by glancing at a letter. Then I was to show him up to Mr. Cornworthy's room." "Were you also told to knock on the door?" An expression of distaste crossed the butler's countenance. "That was one of Mr. Farley's orders. I was always to knock when introducing visitors--business visitors, that is," he added. "Ah, that puzzled me! Were you given any

other instructions concerning me?"

"No, sir. When Mr. Cornworthy had told me what I have just repeated to you he went out." "What time was that?"

THE DREAM 171

"Ten minutes to nine, sir." "Did you see Mr. Farley after that?" "Yes, sir, I took him up a glass of hot water as usual at nine o'clock." "Was he then in his own room or in Mr. Corn-worthy's?" "He was in his own room, sir." "You noticed nothing unusual about that room?" "Unusual? No, sir." "Where were Mrs. Farley and Miss Farley?" "They had gone to the theater, sir." "Thank you, Holmes, that will do." Holmes bowed and left the room. Poirot turned to the millionaire's widow. "One more question, Mrs. Farley. Had your husband good sight?" "No. Not without his glasses."

"He was very shortsighted?"

"Oh, yes, he was quite helpless without his spectacles." "He had several pairs of glasses?" "Yes." "Ah," said Poirot. He leaned back. "I think that that concludes the case .... " There was silence in the room. They were all looking at the little man who sat there complacently stroking his mustache. On the inspector's face was perplexity, Dr. Stillingfleet was frowning, Cornworthy merely stared uncomprehendingly, Mrs. Farley gazed in blank astonishment, Joanna Farley looked eager. Mrs. Farley broke the silence. don't understand, M. Poirot." Her voice

174 Agatha Christie

"You do not see?"

Stillingfleet said, "I don't really see how your

laundress comes into it, Poirot."

"My laundress," said Poirot, "was very impor-tant. That miserable woman who ruins my collars, was, for the first time in her life, useful to some-body. Surely you see--it is so obvious. Mr. Farley glanced at that communication--one glance would have told him that it was the wrong letter--and yet he knew nothing. Why? Because he could not see it properly,t"

Inspector Barnett said sharply, "Didn't he have his glasses on?"

Hercule Poirot smiled. "Yes," he said. "He had his glasses on. That is what makes it so very interesting."

· Heleaned forward.

"Mr. Farley's dream was very important. He dreamed, you see, that he committed suicide. And a little later on, he did commit suicide. That is to say he was alone in a room and was found there

with a revolver by him, and no one entered or left

the room at the time that he was shot. What does that mean? It means, does it not, that it must be suicide!" ,

"Yes," said Stillingfleet.

Hercule Poirot shook his head.