"Beautiful weather we are having."
Miss Brent said: "Yes, indeed."
A very distinguished old gentleman, she thought to herself.
Quite unlike the usual type of man in seaside guest houses.
Evidently Mrs. or Miss Oliver had good connections...
Mr. Justice Wargrave inquired: "Do you know this part of the world well?"
"I have been to Cornwall and to Torquay, but this is my first visit to this part of Devon."
The judge said: "I also am unacquainted with this part of the world."
The taxi drove off.
The driver of the second taxi said:
"Like to sit inside while you're waiting?"
Vera said decisively: "Not at all."
Captain Lombard smiled. He said:
"That sunny wall looks more attractive. Unless you'd rather go inside the station?"
"No, indeed.
It's so delightful to get out of that stuffy train."
He answered: "Yes, travelling by train is rather trying in this weather."
Vera said conventionally: "I do hope it lasts - the weather, I mean.
Our English summers are so treacherous."
With a slight lack of originality Lombard asked: "Do you know this part of the world well?"
"No, I've never been here before." She added quickly, conscientiously determined to make her position clear at once, "I haven't even seen my employer yet."
"Your employer?"
"Yes, I'm Mrs. Owen's secretary."
"Oh, I see."
Just imperceptibly his manner changed. It was slightly more assured - easier in tone.
He said: "Isn't that rather unusual?"
Vera laughed.
"Oh, no, I don't think so.
Her own secretary was suddenly taken ill and she wired to an agency for a substitute and they sent me."
"So that was it.
And suppose you don't like the post when you've got there?"
Vera laughed again.
"Oh, it's only temporary - a holiday post.
I've got a permanent job at a girls' school.
As a matter of fact I'm frightfully thrilled at the prospect of seeing Indian Island.
There's been such a lot about it in the papers.
Is it really very fascinating?"
Lombard said: "I don't know. I haven't seen it."
"Oh, really?
The Owens are frightfully keen on it, I suppose.
What are they like?
Do tell me."
Lombard thought: "Awkward, this - am I supposed to have met them or not?"
He said quickly: "There's a wasp crawling up your arm.
No - keep quite still." He made a convincing pounce.
"There.
It's gone!"
"Oh, thank you.
There are a lot of wasps about this summer."
"Yes, I suppose it's the heat.