"Just this minute got back and heard the news!
You the Chief Constable?
They told me you were in here.
My name's Blatt - Horace Blatt.
Any way I can help you?
Don't suppose so.
I've been out in my boat since early this morning.
Missed the whole blinking show. The one day that something does happen in this out-of-the-way spot, I'm not there. Just like life, that, isn't it?
Hullo, Poirot, didn't see you at first.
So you're in on this?
Oh, well, I suppose you would be.
Sherlock Holmes v. the local police, is that it?
Ha, ha! Lestrade - all that stuff.
I'll enjoy seeing you do a bit of fancy sleuthing."
Mr Blatt came to anchor in a chair, pulled out a cigarette case and offered it to Colonel Weston who shook his head.
He said, with a slight smile:
"I'm an inveterate pipe smoker."
"Same here.
I smoke cigarettes as well - but nothing beats a pipe."
Colonel Weston said with sudden geniality: "Then light up, man."
Blatt shook his head. "Not got my pipe on me at the moment.
But put me wise about all this.
All I've heard so far is that Mrs Marshall was found murdered on one of the beaches here."
"On Pixy Cove," said Colonel Weston, watching him.
But Mr Blatt merely asked excitedly:
"And she was strangled?"
"Yes, Mr Blatt."
"Nasty - very nasty.
Mind you, she asked for it!
Hot stuff - tres moutarde - eh, M. Poirot?
Any idea who did it, or mustn't I ask that?"
With a faint smile Colonel Weston said:
"Well, you know, it's we who are supposed to ask the questions."
Mr Blatt waved his cigarette. "Sorry - sorry - my mistake. Go ahead."
"You went out sailing this morning.
At what time?"
"Left here at a quarter to ten."
"Was any one with you?"
"Not a soul.
All on my little lonesome."
"And where did you go?"
"Along the coast in the direction of Plymouth.
Took lunch with me.
Not much wind so I didn't actually get very far."
After another question or two, Weston asked:
"Now about the Marshalls?
Do you know anything that might help us?"
"Well, I've given you my opinion. Crime passionnel!
All I can tell you is, it wasn't me!
The fair Arlena had no use for me. Nothing doing in that quarter.