The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories

The ship reached Alexandria at dawn the fol,. morning. As Poirot came up from breakfast he found the girls all ready to go on shore. They were talk-to Colonel Clapperton.

"We ought to get off now," urged Kitty. "The passport people will be going off the ship presently. You'll come with us, won't you? You

204 Agatha Christie

wouldn't let us go ashore all by ourselves? Awful things might happen to us."

"I certainly don't think you ought to go by yourselves," said Clapperton, smiling. "But I'm not sure my wife feels up to it."

"That's too bad," said Pam. "But she can have a nice long rest."

Colonel Clapperton looked a little irresolute. Evidently the desire to play truant was strong upon him. He noticed Poirot.

"Hullo, M. Poirotmyou going ashore?" "No, I think not," M. Poirot replied.

"I'llmI'll--just have a word with Adeline," decided Colonel Clapperton.

"We'll come with you," said Pam. She flashed a wink at Poirot. "Perhaps we can persuade her to come too," she added gravely.

Colonel Clapperton seemed to welcome this suggestion. He looked decidedly relieved.

"Come along then, the pair of you," he said lightly. They all three went along the passage of B deck together.

Poirot, whose cabin was just opposite the Clap-pertons, followed them out of curiosity.

Colonel Clapperton rapped a little nervously at the cabin door.

"Adeline, my dear, are you up?"

The sleepy voice of Mrs. Clapperton from within replied: "Oh, bother--what is it?"

"It's John. What about going ashore?" "Certainly not." The voice was shrill and de-cisive. "I've had a very bad night. I shall stay in bed most of the day."

Para nipped in quickly, "Oh, Mrs. Clapperton,

PROBLEM AT SEA 205

I'm so sorry. We did so want you to come with us. Are you sure you're not up to it?"

"I'm quite certain." Mrs. Clapperton's voice sounded even shriller.

The Colonel was turning the door-handle with-out result.

"What is it, John? The door's locked. I don't want to be disturbed by the stewards."

"Sorry, my dear, sorry. Just wanted my Baedeker."

"Well, you can't have it," snapped Mrs. Clap-perton. "I'm not going to get out of bed. Do go away, John, and let me have a little peace."

"Certainly, certainly, my dear." The Colonel backed away from the door. Pam and Kitty closed in on him.

"Let's start at once. Thank goodness your hat's on your head. Oh! gracious--your passport isn't in the cabin, is it?"

"As a matter of fact it's in my pocket--" began the Colonel.

Kitty squeezed his arm. "Glory be!" she ex-claimed. "Now, come on."

Leaning over the rail, Poirot watched the three of them leave the ship. He heard a faint intake of breath beside him and turned his head to see Miss HenderSon. Her eyes were fastened on the three retreating figures.

i"So they've gone ashore," she said flatly.

.r. Yes. Are you going?

She had a shade hat, he noticed, and a smart bag and shoes. There was a shore-going appear-ance about her. Nevertheless, after the most in-finitesimal of pauses, she shook her head.

206 Agatha Chtie

No, she sd. I thnki,

havre alot of letters to write.', stay on board. I

S heturnd and left him.

P'uffing after his mornin t

rounds of the deck, Geneur of forty-eight I e "A,- ,, I IF bes p a . nae exclaimed or took her

retreating figure9 of the Col0 s his eyes noted the

"Sthat's the gme Where'sh1 and the two girls. M " Pirot explained that Mrs. . adam. ing quiet day i bed. lerton was have "on't you blieve it" T one knowing eye. "She'll be Old warrior closed

the oor devil's (ound to be or tiffinand if ther'll be ructionS." bsent without leave, Bt the General's prognt fulfille. Mrs Clerton diftions were not q0t a

and by the time the Colenel ppear at lunch damgs returned to the ship ¥ad his attendant Bad otshown heself, t four o'clock, she Poirot was in his cabin and he

slightly guilty knock on his cay ard the husband's

gnoc repeaed the cabin don door. Heard the Beard the Colonel'S call to a st% tred, and finally

"Look here, I can't get an ard. gey?" 'SWer. Have you a

Poirot rose quickly from his

jato the passage, hunk and came out

The news went like wildfir With horrified incredulity peolI round the ship. glappert0n had been found dee. heard that Mrs. ;ative dagger drive through he,? in her bunk--a :;tuber beads was found on the fl heart. A string of Rumor succeeded rumor. Alit)?r of her cabin. tead sellers who

PROBLE .M AT SEA 207

had been allowed on baard that day were being

rounded up and questi0.ned! A large sum in cash