Lady Westholme remarked that in that case it was probably wrong!
"That man is grossly inaccurate.
I have checked his statements from my Baedeker. Several times his information was definitely misleading."
"According to my plan," said Poirot, "the cave next to Mrs. Boynton's was occupied by her son, Lennox, and his wife.
Raymond, Carol and Ginevra Boynton had tents just below but more to the right - in fact almost opposite the marquee.
On the right of Ginevra Boynton's was Dr. Gerard's tent and next to his was that of Miss King.
On the other side - next to the marquee on the left - you and Mr. Cope had tents.
Miss Pierce's, as you mentioned, was on the right of the marquee.
Is that correct?"
Lady Westholme admitted grudgingly that as far as she knew it was.
"I thank you.
That is perfectly clear.
Pray continue, Lady Westholme."
Lady Westholme smiled graciously on him and went on:
"At about a quarter to four I strolled along to Miss Pierce's tent to see if she were awake yet and felt like a stroll.
She was sitting in the doorway of the tent reading.
We agreed to start in about half an hour when the sun was less hot.
I went back to my tent and read for about twenty-five minutes. Then I went along and joined Miss Pierce.
She was ready and we started out.
Everyone in the camp seemed asleep; there was no one about and, seeing Mrs. Boynton sitting up there alone, I suggested to Miss Pierce that we should ask her if she wanted anything before we left."
"Yes, you did.
Most thoughtful of you, I considered it," murmured Miss Pierce.
"I felt it to be my duty," said Lady Westholme with a rich complacency.
"And then for her to be so rude about it!" exclaimed Miss Pierce.
Poirot looked inquiring.
"Our path passed just under the ledge," explained Lady Westholme, "and I called up to her, saying that we were going for a stroll and asking could we do anything for her before we went.
Do you know, M. Poirot, absolutely the only answer she gave us was a grunt! A grunt! She just looked at us as though we were - as though we were dirt!"
"Disgraceful it was!" said Miss Pierce, flushing.
"I must confess," said Lady Westholme, reddening a little, "that I then made a somewhat uncharitable remark."
"I think you were quite justified," said Miss Pierce. "Quite - under the circumstances."
"What was this remark?" asked Poirot.
"I said to Miss Pierce that perhaps she drank!
Really, her manner was most peculiar. It had been all along. I thought it possible that drink might account for it. The evils of alcoholic indulgence, as I very well know - "
Dexterously Poirot steered the conversation away from the drink question.
"Had her manner been very peculiar on this particular day?
At lunch time, for instance?"
"No," said Lady Westholme, considering. "No, I should say that then her manner had been fairly normal - for an American of that type, that is to say," she added condescendingly.
"She was very abusive to that servant," said Miss Pierce
"Which one?"
"Not very long before we started out."
"Oh, yes, I remember.
She did seem extraordinarily annoyed with him!
Of course," went on Lady Westholme "to have servants about who cannot understand a word of English is very trying, but what I say is that when one is traveling one must make allowances."
"What servant was this?" asked Poirot.
"One of the Bedouin servants attached to the camp.
He went up to her. I think she must have sent him to fetch her something and I suppose he brought the wrong thing.
I don't really know what it was, but she was very angry about it.
The poor man slunk away as fast as he could, and she shook her stick at him and called out."
"What did she call out?"
"We were too far away to hear.