24-01-29 Eight WHICH OF THEM? Battle looked from one face to another. Only one person answered his question. Mrs. Oliver, neveraverse to giving her views, rushed into speech. The girl or the doctor, she said. Battle looked questioningly at the other two. But...

24-01-29 Seven FOURTH MURDERER? Despard entered the room with a quick springing stepa step that reminded Poirot of somethingor someone. Im sorry to have kept you waiting all this while, Major Despard, said Battle. But I wanted tolet the ladies get away as so...

24-01-29 Six THIRD MURDERER? Didnt get any extra change out of her, commented Battle. Put me in my place, too. Shes theold-fashioned kind, full of consideration for others, but arrogant as the devil! I cant believe shedid it, but you never know! Shes got ple...

24-01-29 Five SECOND MURDERER? Mrs. Lorrimer came into the dining room like a gentlewoman. She looked a little pale, butcomposed. Im sorry to have to bother you, Superintendent Battle began. You must do your duty, of course, said Mrs. Lorrimer quietly. It is...

24-01-29 Four FIRST MURDERER? Hercule Poirot, Mrs. Oliver, Colonel Race and Superintendent Battle sat round the dining roomtable. It was an hour later. The body had been examined, photographed and removed. A fingerprintexpert had been and gone. Superintenden...

24-01-29 II Five diamonds. Game and rubber, said Colonel Race. Good for you, partner, he said to Poirot. I didnt think youd do it. Lucky they didnt lead aspade. Wouldnt have made much difference, I expect, said Superintendent Battle, a man of gentlemagnanimi...

24-01-29 Three A GAME OF BRIDGE When the company returned to the drawing room a bridge table had been set out. Coffee washanded round. Who plays bridge? asked Mr. Shaitana. Mrs. Lorrimer, I know. And Dr. Roberts. Do youplay, Miss Meredith? Yes. Im not fright...

24-01-29 Two DINNER AT MR. SHAITANAS The door of Mr. Shaitanas flat opened noiselessly. A grey-haired butler drew it back to let Poirotenter. He closed it equally noiselessly and deftly relieved the guest of his overcoat and hat. He murmured in a low express...

24-01-29 One MR. SHAITANA My dear M. Poirot! It was a soft purring voicea voice used deliberately as an instrumentnothing impulsive orpremeditated about it. Hercule Poirot swung round. He bowed. He shook hands ceremoniously. There was something in his eye th...

24-01-29 Cards on the Table: A Hercule Poirot Mystery 底牌 Foreword There is an idea prevalent that a detective story is rather like a big racea number of starterslikely horses and jockeys. You pays your money and you takes your choice! The favourite is bycom...