The Truth 27' The EyeWitness

I don't want my nervous patients upset. "

Superintendent Battle looked round at Poirot.

"Excuse me, M. Poirot. If you'd like to ask any questions, I'm sure the doctor

wouldn't mind. "

"Of course not. Of course not. Great admirer of yours, M. Poirot. Little grey

cells---order and method. I know all about it. I feel sure you'll think Of something

most intriguing to ask me. "

Hercule Poirot spread out his hands in his most foreign manner.

"No, no. I just like to get all the details clear in my mind. For instance, how

many rubbers did you play?"

"Three, " said Roberts promptly. "We'd got to one game all, in the fourth

rubber, when you came in. "

"And who played with who?"

"First rubber, Despard and I against the ladies. They beat us, God bless 'em.

Walk over; we never held a card.

"Second rubber, Miss Meredith and I against Despard and Mrs. Lorrimer.

Third rubber, Mrs. Lorrimer and I against Miss Meredith and Despard. We cut

each time, but it worked out like a pivot. Fourth ruboer, Miss Meredith and I

again.

"Who won and who lost?"

"Mrs. Lorrimer won every rubber. Miss Meredith won the first and lost the next

"Mrs. Lorrimer won every rubber. Miss Meredith won the first and lost the next two. I was a bit up and Miss Meredith and Despard must have been down.

Poirot said, smiling,

"The good superintendent has asked you your opinion of your companions as candidates for murder. I now ask you for your opinion of them as bridge players.

"Mrs. Lorrimer's first class, " Dr. Roberts replied promptly.

"I'll bet she makes a good income a year out of bridge. Despard's a good player, toowhat I call a sound player--long-headed chap. Miss Meredith you might describe as quite

a safe player. She doesn't make mistakes, but she isn't brilliant. " "And you

yourself, doctor?" Roberts' eyes twinkled.

"I overcall my hand a bit, or so they say. But I've always found it pays.

Poirot smiled.

Dr. Roberts rose.

"Anything more?"

Poirot shook his head.

"Well, good-night, then. Good-night, Mrs. Oliver. You ought to get some copy out of this. Better than your untraceable poisons, eh?"

Dr. Roberts left the room, his bearing springy once more. Mrs. Oliver said bitterly as the door closed behind him

"Copy! Copy, indeed! People are so unintelligent. I could invent a better murder any day than anything real. I'm never at a loss for a plot. And the people who read my books like untraceable poisons!"

398 Agatha Christie

CHAPTER 5 Second Murderer?

Mrs. Lorrimer came into the dining-room like a gentlewoman. She looked a little pale, but composed. "I'm sorry to have to bother you, " Superintendent Battle began. "You must do your duty, of course, " said Mrs. Lorrimer quietly. "It is, I agree, an unpleasant position in which to be placed, but there is no good shirking