I cannot, you see, imagine this man... the man who is mad with rage and jealousy."
Colgate said: "People did go potty about her, though, sir.
Look at Redfern."
"Yes, yes...
But all the same -" Colgate looked at him questioningly.
Poirot shook his head. He said frowning:
"Somewhere, there is something we have missed..."
Chapter 6
Colonel Weston was poring over the hotel register. He read aloud.
"Major and Mrs Cowan, Miss Pamela Cowan, Master Robert Cowan, Master Evan Cowan. Rydal's Mount, Leatherhead.
"Mr and Mrs Masterman, Mr Edward Masterman, Miss Jennifer Masterman, Mr Roy Masterman, Master Frederick Masterman. 5 Malborough Avenue, London, N.W.
"Mr and Mrs Gardener. New York.
"Mr and Mrs Redfern. Crossgates, Seldon, Princes Risborough.
"Major Barry. 18 Cardon Street, St James, London, S.W.1.
"Mr Horace Blatt. 5 Pickersgill Street, London, E.C.2.
"Mr Hercule Poirot. Whitehaven Mansions, London, W.1.
"Miss Rosamund Darnley. 8 Cardigan Court, W.1.
"Miss Emily Brewster. Southgates, Sunbury-on-Thames.
"Rev. Stephen Lane. London.
"Captain and Mrs Marshall. 73 Upscott Mansions. "Miss Linda Marshall. London, S.W.7."
He stopped.
Inspector Colgate said:
"I think, sir, that we can wash out the first two entries.
Mrs Castle tells me that the Mastermans and the Cowans come here regularly every summer with their children.
This morning they went off on an all-day excursion sailing, taking lunch with them.
They left just after nine o'clock.
A man called Andrew Baston took them.
We can check up for him, but I think we can put them right out of it."
Weston nodded. "I agree.
Let's eliminate every one we can.
Can you give us a pointer on any of the rest of them, Poirot?"
Poirot said: "Superficially, that is easy.
The Gardeners are a middle-aged married couple, pleasant, travelled.
All the talking is done by the lady.
The husband is acquiescent.
He plays tennis and golf and has a form of dry humour that is attractive when one gets him to oneself."
"Sounds quite O.K."
"Next - the Redferns.
Mr Redfern is young, attractive to women, a magnificent swimmer, a good tennis player and accomplished dancer.
His wife I have already spoken of to you.
She is quiet, pretty in a washed-out way.
She is, I think, devoted to her husband.
She has something that Arlena Marshall did not have."
"What is that?"
"Brains."
Inspector Colgate sighed. He said: "Brains don't count for much when it comes to an infatuation, sir."
"Perhaps not. And yet I do truly believe that in spite of his infatuation for Mrs Marshall, Patrick Redfern really cares for his wife."
"That may be, sir.
It wouldn't be the first time that's happened."
Poirot murmured: "That is the pity of it! It is always the thing women find it hardest to believe."