Problem at Pollensa Bay_ A Park

Contents
ProblematPollensaBay
AbouttheAuthor
TheAgathaChristieCollection
Copyright
AboutthePublisher
PROBLEMATPOLLENSABAY
ThesteamerfromBarcelonatoMajorcalandedMr.ParkerPyneatPalmaintheearlyhoursofthemorning—andstraightawayhemetwithdisillusionment.Thehotelswerefull!Thebestthatcouldbedoneforhimwasanairlesscupboardoverlookinganinnercourtinahotelinthecentreofthetown—andwiththatMr.ParkerPynewasnotpreparedtoputup.Theproprietorofthehotelwasindifferenttohisdisappointment.
“Whatwillyou?”heobservedwithashrug.
Palmawaspopularnow!Theexchangewasfavourable!Everyone—theEnglish,theAmericans—theyallcametoMajorcainthewinter.Thewholeplacewascrowded.ItwasdoubtfuliftheEnglishgentlemanwouldbeabletogetinanywhere—exceptperhapsatFormentorwherethepricesweresoruinousthatevenforeignersblenchedatthem.
Mr.ParkerPynepartookofsomecoffeeandarollandwentouttoviewthecathedral,butfoundhimselfinnomoodforappreciatingthebeautiesofarchitecture.
HenexthadaconferencewithafriendlytaxidriverininadequateFrenchinterlardedwithnativeSpanish,andtheydiscussedthemeritsandpossibilitiesofSoller,Alcudia,PollensaandFormentor—wheretherewerefinehotelsbutveryexpensive.
Mr.ParkerPynewasgoadedtoinquirehowexpensive.
Theyasked,saidthetaxidriver,anamountthatitwouldbeabsurdandridiculoustopay—wasitnotwellknownthattheEnglishcameherebecausepriceswerecheapandreasonable?
Mr.ParkerPynesaidthatthatwasquiteso,butallthesamewhatsumsdidtheychargeatFormentor?
Apriceincredible!
Perfectly—butWHATPRICEEXACTLY?
Thedriverconsentedatlasttoreplyintermsoffigures.
FreshfromtheexactionsofhotelsinJerusalemandEgypt,thefiguredidnotstaggerMr.ParkerPyneunduly.
Abargainwasstruck,Mr.ParkerPyne’ssuitcaseswereloadedonthetaxiinasomewhathaphazardmanner,andtheystartedofftodriveroundtheisland,tryingcheaperhostelricsenroutebutwiththefinalobjectiveofFormentor.
Buttheyneverreachedthatfinalabodeofplutocracy,foraftertheyhadpassedthroughthenarrowstreetsofPollensaandwerefollowingthecurvedlineoftheseashore,theycametotheHotelPinod’Oro—asmallhotelstandingontheedgeofthesealookingoutoveraviewthatinthemistyhazeofafinemorninghadtheexquisitevaguenessofa
TheelderlycoupletowhomthehotelbelongedknewnoEnglishorFrench.Neverthelessthematterwasconcludedsatisfactorily.Mr.ParkerPynewasallottedaroomoverlookingthesea,thesuitcaseswereunloaded,thedrivercongratulatedhispassengeruponavoidingthemonstrousexigenciesof“thesenewhotels,”receivedhisfareanddepartedwith
Mr.ParkerPyneglancedathiswatchandperceivingthatitwas,evennow,butaquartertoten,hewentoutontothesmallterracenowbathedinadazzlingmorninglightandordered,forthesecondtimethatmorning,coffeeandrolls
Therewerefourtablesthere,hisown,onefromwhichbreakfastwasbeingclearedawayandtwooccupiedones.Attheonenearesthimsatafamilyoffatherandmotherandtwoelderlydaughters—Germans.Beyondthem,atthecorneroftheterrace,satwhatwereclearlyanEnglishmotherandson.
Thewomanwasaboutfifty-five.Shehadgreyhairofaprettytone—wassensiblybutnotfashionablydressedinatweedcoatandskirt—andhadthatcomfortableself-possessionwhichmarksanEnglishwomanusedtomuchtravellingabroad.
Theyoungmanwhosatoppositehermighthavebeentwenty-fiveandhetoowastypicalofhisclassandage.Hewasneithergood-lookingnorplain,tallnorshort.Hewasclearlyonthebestoftermswithhismother—theymadelittlejokestogether—andhewasassiduousinpassingherthings.
Astheytalked,hereyemetthatofMr.ParkerPyne.Itpassedoverhimwithwell-brednonchalance,butheknewthathehadbeenassimilatedandlabelled.
HehadbeenrecognizedasEnglishanddoubtless,induecourse,somepleasantnoncommittalremarkwouldbeaddressedtohim.
Mr.ParkerPynehadnoparticularobjection.Hisowncountrymenandwomenabroadwereinclinedtoborehimslightly,buthewasquitewillingtopassthetimeofdayinanamiablemanner.Inasmallhotelitcausedconstraintifonedidnotdoso.Thisparticularwoman,hefeltsure,hadexcellent“hotelmanners,”asheputit.
TheEnglishboyrosefromhisseat,madesomelaughingremarkandpassedintothehotel.Thewomantookherlettersandbagandsettledherselfinachairfacingthesea.SheunfoldedacopyoftheContinentalDailyMail.HerbackwastoMr.ParkerPyne.
Ashedrankthelastdropofhiscoffee,Mr.ParkerPyneglancedinherdirection,andinstantlyhestiffened.Hewasalarmed—alarmedforthepeacefulcontinuanceofhisholiday!Thatbackwashorriblyexpressive.Inhistimehehadclassifiedmanysuchbacks.Itsrigidity—thetensenessofitspoise—withoutseeingherfaceheknewwellenoughthattheeyeswerebrightwithunshedtears—thatthewomanwaskeepingherselfinhandbyarigideffort.
Movingwarily,likeamuch-huntedanimal,Mr.ParkerPyneretreatedintothehotel.Nothalfanhourbeforehehadbeeninvitedtosignhisnameinthebooklyingonthedesk.Thereitwas—aneatsignature—C.ParkerPyne,London.
AfewlinesaboveMr.ParkerPynenoticedtheentries:Mrs.R.Chester,Mr.BasilChester—HolmPark,Devon.
Seizingapen,Mr.ParkerPynewroterapidlyoverhissignature.Itnowread(withdifficulty)ChristopherPyne.
IfMrs.R.ChesterwasunhappyinPollensaBay,itwasnotgoingtobemadeeasyforhertoconsultMr.ParkerPyne.
Alreadyithadbeenasourceofabidingwondertothatgentlemanthatsomanypeoplehehadcomeacrossabroadshouldknowhisnameandhavenotedhisadvertisements.InEnglandmanythousandsofpeoplereadtheTimeseverydayandcouldhaveansweredquitetruthfullythattheyhadneverheardsuchanameintheirlives.Abroad,hereflected,theyreadtheirnewspapersmorethoroughly.Noitem,noteventheadvertisementcolumns,escapedthem.
Alreadyhisholidayshadbeeninterruptedonseveraloccasions.Hehaddealtwithawholeseriesofproblemsfrommurdertoattemptedblackmail.HewasdeterminedinMajorcatohavepeace.Hefeltinstinctivelythatadistressedmothermighttroublethatpeaceconsiderably
Mr.ParkerPynesettleddownatthePinod’Oroveryhappily.Therewasalargerhotelnotfaroff,theMariposa,whereagoodmanyEnglishpeoplestayed.Therewasalsoquiteanartistcolonylivingallround.Youcouldwalkalongbytheseatothefishingvillagewheretherewasacocktailbarwherepeoplemet—therewereafewshops.Itwasallverypeacefulandpleasant.Girlsstrolledaboutintrouserswithbrightlycolouredhandkerchiefstiedroundtheupperhalvesoftheirbodies.Youngmeninberetswithratherlonghairheldforthin“Mac’sBar”onsuchsubjectsasplasticvaluesandabstractioninart.
OnthedayafterMr.ParkerPyne’sarrival,Mrs.Chestermadeafewconventionalremarkstohimonthesubjectoftheviewandthelikelihoodoftheweatherkeepingfine.ShethenchattedalittlewiththeGermanladyaboutknitting,andhadafewpleasantwordsaboutthesadnessofthepoliticalsituationwithtwoDanishgentlemenwhospenttheirtimerisingatdawnandwalkingforelevenhours.
Mr.ParkerPynefoundBasilChesteramostlikeableyoungman.HecalledMr.ParkerPyne“sir”andlistenedmostpolitelytoanythingtheoldermansaid.SometimesthethreeEnglishpeoplehadcoffeetogetherafterdinnerintheevening.Afterthethirdday,BasilleftthepartyaftertenminutesorsoandMr.ParkerPynewaslefttete-a-tetewith
Theytalkedaboutflowersandthegrowingofthem,ofthelamentablestateoftheEnglishpoundandofhowexpensiveFrancehadbecome,andofthedifficultyofgettinggoodafternoontea.
Everyeveningwhenhersondeparted,Mr.ParkerPynesawthequicklyconcealedtremorofherlips,butimmediatelysherecoveredanddiscoursedpleasantlyontheabove-mentionedsubjects.
LittlebylittleshebegantotalkofBasil—ofhowwellhehaddoneatschool—“hewasintheFirstXI,youknow”—ofhoweveryonelikedhim,ofhowproudhisfatherwouldhavebeenoftheboyhadhelived,ofhowthankfulshehadbeenthatBasilhadneverbeen“wild.”“OfcourseIalwaysurgehimtobewithyoungpeople,buthereallyseemstopreferbeingwithme.”
Shesaiditwithakindofnicemodestpleasureinthefact.
ButforonceMr.ParkerPynedidnotmaketheusualtactfulresponsehecouldusuallyachievesoeasily.Hesaidinstead:
“Oh!well,thereseemtobeplentyofyoungpeoplehere—notinthehotel,butroundabout.”
Atthat,henoticed,Mrs.Chesterstiffened.Shesaid:Ofcoursetherewerealotofartists.Perhapsshewasveryold-fashioned—realart,ofcourse,wasdifferent,butalotofyoungpeoplejustmadethatsortofthinganexcuseforloungingaboutanddoingnothing—andthegirlsdrankalottoomuch.
OnthefollowingdayBasilsaidtoMr.ParkerPyne:
“I’mawfullygladyouturneduphere,sir—especiallyformymother’ssake.Shelikeshavingyoutotalktointheevenings.”
“Whatdidyoudowhenyouwerefirsthere?”
“Asamatteroffactweusedtoplaypiquet.”
“Isee.”
“Ofcourseonegetsrathertiredofpiquet.AsamatteroffactI’vegotsomefriendshere—frightfullycheerycrowd.Idon’treallythinkmymotherapprovesofthem—”Helaughedasthoughhefeltthisoughttobeamusing.“Themater’sveryold-fashioned…Evengirlsintrousersshockher!”
“Quiteso,”saidMr.ParkerPyne.
“WhatItellheris—one’sgottomovewiththetimes…Thegirlsathomeroundusarefrightfullydull….”
“Isee,”saidMr.ParkerPyne.
Allthisinterestedhimwellenough.Hewasaspectatorofaminiaturedrama,buthewasnotcalledupontotakepartinit.
Andthentheworst—fromMr.ParkerPyne’spointofview—happened.AgushingladyofhisacquaintancecametostayattheMariposa.TheymetintheteashopinthepresenceofMrs.Chester.
Thenewcomerscreamed:
“Why—ifitisn’tMr.ParkerPyne—theoneandonlyMr.ParkerPyne!AndAdelaChester!Doyouknoweachother?Oh,youdo?You’restayingatthesamehotel?He’stheoneandonlyoriginalwizard,Adela—themarvelofthecentury—allyourtroublessmoothedoutwhileyouwait!Didn’tyouknow?Youmusthaveheardabouthim?Haven’tyoureadhisadvertisements?‘Areyouintrouble?ConsultMr.ParkerPyne.’There’sjustnothinghecan’tdo.Husbandsandwivesflyingateachother’sthroatsandhebrings’emtogether—ifyou’velostinterestinlifehegivesyouthemostthrillingadventures.AsIsaytheman’sjustawizard!”
Itwentonagooddeallonger—Mr.ParkerPyneatintervalsmakingmodestdisclaimers.HedislikedthelookthatMrs.Chesterturneduponhim.Hedislikedevenmoreseeingherreturnalongthebeachincloseconfabulationwiththegarruloussingerofhispraises.
Theclimaxcamequickerthanheexpected.Thatevening,aftercoffee,Mrs.Chestersaidabruptly.
“Willyoucomeintothelittlesalon,Mr.Pyne?ThereissomethingIwanttosaytoyou.”
Hecouldbutbowandsubmit.
Mrs.Chester’sself-controlhadbeenwearingthin—asthedoorofthelittlesalonclosedbehindthem,itsnapped.Shesatdownandburstintotears.
“Myboy,Mr.ParkerPyne.Youmustsavehim.Wemustsavehim.It’sbreakingmyheart!”
“Mydearlady,asamereoutsider—”
“NinaWycherleysaysyoucandoanything.ShesaidIwastohavetheutmostconfidenceinyou.Sheadvisedmetotellyoueverything—andthatyou’dputthewholethingright.”
InwardlyMr.ParkerPynecursedtheobtrusiveMrs.Wycherley.
Resigninghimselfhesaid:
“Well,letusthrashthematterout.Agirl,Isuppose?”
“Didhetellyouabouther?”
“Onlyindirectly.”
WordspouredinavehementstreamfromMrs.Chester.“Thegirlwasdreadful.Shedrank,sheswore—sheworenoclothestospeakof.Hersisterlivedouthere—wasmarriedtoanartist—aDutchman.Thewholesetwasmostundesirable.Halfofthemwerelivingtogetherwithoutbeingmarried.Basilwascompletelychanged.Hehadalwaysbeensoquiet,sointerestedinserioussubjects.Hehadthoughtatonetimeoftakinguparchaeology—”
“Well,well,”saidMr.ParkerPyne.“Naturewillhaveherrevenge.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Itisn’thealthyforayoungmantobeinterestedinserioussubjects.Heoughttobemakinganidiotofhimselfoveronegirlafteranother.”
“Pleasebeserious,Mr.Pyne.”
“I’mperfectlyserious.Istheyounglady,byanychance,theonewhohadteawithyouyesterday?”
Hehadnoticedher—hergreyflanneltrousers—thescarlethandkerchieftiedlooselyaroundherbreast—thevermillionmouthandthefactthatshehadchosenacocktailinpreferencetotea.
“Yousawher?Terrible!NotthekindofgirlBasilhaseveradmired.”
“Youhaven’tgivenhimmuchchancetoadmireagirl,haveyou?”
“I?”
“He’sbeentoofondofyourcompany!Bad!However,Idaresayhe’llgetoverthis—ifyoudon’tprecipitatematters.”
“Youdon’tunderstand.Hewantstomarrythisgirl—BettyGregg—they’reengaged.”
“It’sgoneasfarasthat?”
“Yes.Mr.ParkerPyne,youmustdosomething.Youmustgetmyboyoutofthisdisastrousmarriage!Hiswholelifewillberuined.”
“Nobody’slifecanberuinedexceptbythemselves.”
“Basil’swillbe,”saidMrs.Chesterpositively.
“I’mnotworryingaboutBasil.”
“You’renotworryingaboutthegirl?”
“No,I’mworryingaboutyou.You’vebeensquanderingyourbirthright.”
Mrs.Chesterlookedathim,slightlytakenaback.
“Whataretheyearsfromtwentytoforty?Fetteredandboundbypersonalandemotionalrelationships.That’sboundtobe.That’sliving.Butlaterthere’sanewstage.Youcanthink,observelife,discoversomethingaboutotherpeopleandthetruthaboutyourself.Lifebecomesreal—significant.Youseeitasawhole.Notjustonescene—thesceneyou,asanactor,areplaying.Nomanorwomanisactuallyhimself(orherself)tillafterforty-five.That’swhenindividualityhasachance.”
Mrs.Chestersaid:
“I’vebeenwrappedupinBasil.He’sbeeneverythingtome.”
“Well,heshouldn’thavebeen.That’swhatyou’repayingfornow.Lovehimasmuchasyoulike—butyou’reAdelaChester,remember,aperson—notjustBasil’smother.”
“ItwillbreakmyheartifBasil’slifeisruined,”saidBasil’smother.
Helookedatthedelicatelinesofherface,thewistfuldroopofhermouth.Shewas,somehow,alovablewoman.Hedidnotwanthertobehurt.Hesaid:
“I’llseewhatIcando.”
HefoundBasilChesteronlytooreadytotalk,eagertourgehispointofview
“Thisbusinessisbeingjusthellish.Mother’shopeless—prejudiced,narrow-minded.Ifonlyshe’dletherself,she’dseehowfineBettyis.”
“AndBetty?”
Hesighed.
“Betty’sbeingdamneddifficult!Ifshe’djustconformabit—Imeanleaveoffthelipstickforaday—itmightmakeallthedifference.Sheseemstogooutofherwaytobe—well—modern—whenMother’sabout.”
Mr.ParkerPynesmiled.
“BettyandMotheraretwoofthedearestpeopleintheworld,Ishouldhavethoughttheywouldhavetakentoeachotherlikehotcakes.”
“Youhavealottolearn,youngman,”saidMr.ParkerPyne.
“Iwishyou’dcomealongandseeBettyandhaveagoodtalkaboutitall.”
Mr.ParkerPyneacceptedtheinvitationreadily.
Bettyandhersisterandherhusbandlivedinasmalldilapidatedvillaalittlewaybackfromthesea.Theirlifewasofarefreshingsimplicity.Theirfurniturecomprisedthreechairs,atableandbeds.Therewasacupboardinthewallthatheldthebarerequirementsofcupsandplates.Hanswasanexcitableyoungmanwithwildblondhairthatstoodupalloverhishead.HespokeveryoddEnglishwithincrediblerapidity,walkingupanddownashedidso.Stella,hiswife,wassmallandfair.BettyGregghadredhairandfrecklesandamischievouseye.Shewas,henoticed,notnearlysomade-upasshehadbeenthepreviousdayatthePinod’Oro.
Shegavehimacocktailandsaidwithatwinkle:
“You’reinonthebigbust-up?”
Mr.ParkerPynenodded.
“Andwhosesideareyouon,bigboy?Theyounglovers—orthedisapprovingdame?”
“MayIaskyouaquestion?”
“Certainly.”
“Haveyoubeenverytactfuloverallthis?”
“Notatall,”saidMissGreggfrankly.“Buttheoldcatputmybackup.”(SheglancedroundtomakesurethatBasilwasoutofearshot)“Thatwomanjustmakesmefeelmad.She’skeptBasiltiedtoherapronstringsalltheseyears—thatsortofthingmakesamanlookafool.Basilisn’tafoolreally.Thenshe’ssoterriblypukkasahib.”
“That’snotreallysuchabadthing.It’smerely‘unfashionable’justatpresent.”
BettyGregggaveasuddentwinkle.
“Youmeanit’slikeputtingChippendalechairsintheatticinVictoriandays?Lateryougetthemdownagainandsay,‘Aren’ttheymarvellous?’”
“Somethingofthekind.”
BettyGreggconsidered.
“Perhapsyou’reright.I’llbehonest.ItwasBasilwhoputmybackup—beingsoanxiousaboutwhatimpressionI’dmakeonhismother.Itdrovemetoextremes.EvennowIbelievehemightgivemeup—ifhismotherworkedonhimgoodandhard.”
“Hemight,”saidMr.ParkerPyne.“Ifshewentaboutittherightway.”
“Areyougoingtotellhertherightway?Shewon’tthinkofitherself,youknow.She’lljustgoondisapprovingandthatwon’tdothetrick.Butifyoupromptedher—”
Shebitherlip—raisedfrankblueeyestohis.
“I’veheardaboutyou,Mr.ParkerPyne.You’resupposedtoknowsomethingabouthumannature.
DoyouthinkBasilandIcouldmakeagoofit—ornot?”
“Ishouldlikeananswertothreequestions.”
“Suitabilitytest?Allright,goahead.”
“Doyousleepwithyourwindowopenorshut?”
“Open.Ilikelotsofair.”
“DoyouandBasilenjoythesamekindoffood?”
“Yes.”
“Doyoulikegoingtobedearlyorlate?”
“Really,undertherose,early.AthalfpasttenIyawn—andIsecretlyfeelratherheartyinthemornings—butofcourseIdaren’tadmitit.”
“Yououghttosuiteachotherverywell,”saidMr.ParkerPyne.
“Ratherasuperficialtest.”
“Notatall.Ihaveknownsevenmarriagesatleast,entirelywrecked,becausethehusbandlikedsittinguptillmidnightandthewifefellasleepathalfpastnineandviceversa.”
“It’sapity,”saidBetty,“thateverybodycan’tbehappy.BasilandI,andhismothergivingusherblessing.”
Mr.ParkerPynecoughed.
“Ithink,”hesaid,“thatthatcouldpossiblybemanaged.”
Shelookedathimdoubtfully.
“NowIwonder,”shesaid,“ifyou’redouble-crossingme?”
Mr.ParkerPyne’sfacetoldnothing.
ToMrs.Chesterhewassoothing,butvague.Anengagementwasnotmarriage.HehimselfwasgoingtoSollerforaweek.Hesuggestedthatherlineofactionshouldbenoncommittal.Letherappeartoacquiesce.
HespentaveryenjoyableweekatSoller.
Onhisreturnhefoundthatatotallyunexpecteddevelopmenthadarisen.
AsheenteredthePinod’OrothefirstthinghesawwasMrs.ChesterandBettyGregghavingteatogether.Basilwasnotthere.Mrs.Chesterlookedhaggard.Betty,too,waslookingoffcolour.Shewashardlymade-upatall,andhereyelidslookedasthoughshehadbeencrying.
Theygreetedhiminafriendlyfashion,butneitherofthemmentionedBasil.
Suddenlyheheardthegirlbesidehimdrawinherbreathsharplyasthoughsomethinghadhurther.Mr.ParkerPyneturnedhishead.
BasilChesterwascomingupthestepsfromtheseafront.Withhimwasagirlsoexoticallybeautifulthatitquitetookyourbreathaway.Shewasdarkandherfigurewasmarvellous.Noonecouldfailtonoticethefactsincesheworenothingbutasinglegarmentofpalebluecrêpe.Shewasheavilymade-upwithochrepowderandanorangescarletmouth—buttheunguentsonlydisplayedherremarkablebeautyinamorepronouncedfashion.AsforyoungBasil,heseemedunabletotakehiseyesfromherface
“You’reverylate,Basil,”saidhismother.“YouweretohavetakenBettytoMac’s.”
“Myfault,”drawledthebeautifulunknown.“Wejustdrifted.”SheturnedtoBasil.“Angel—getmesomethingwithakickinit!”
Shetossedoffhershoeandstretchedouthermanicuredtoenailswhichweredoneemeraldgreentomatchherfingernails.
Shepaidnoattentiontothetwowomen,butsheleanedalittletowardsMr.ParkerPyne.
“Terribleislandthis,”shesaid.“IwasjustdyingwithboredombeforeImetBasil.Heisratherapet!”
“Mr.ParkerPyne—MissRamona,”saidMrs.Chester.
Thegirlacknowledgedtheintroductionwithalazysmile.
“IguessI’llcallyouParkeralmostatonce,”shemurmured.“Myname’sDolores.”
Basilreturnedwiththedrinks.MissRamonadividedherconversation(whattherewasofit—itwasmostlyglances)betweenBasilandMr.ParkerPyne.Ofthetwowomenshetooknonoticewhatever.Bettyattemptedonceortwicetojoinintheconversationbuttheothergirlmerelystaredatherandyawned.
SuddenlyDoloresrose.
“GuessI’llbegoingalongnow.I’mattheotherhotel.Anyonecomingtoseemehome?”
Basilsprangup.
“I’llcomewithyou.”
Mrs.Chestersaid:“Basil,mydear—”
“I’llbebackpresently,Mother.”
“Isn’thethemother’sboy?”MissRamonaaskedoftheworldatlarge.“Justtootsroundafterher,don’tyou?”
Basilflushedandlookedawkward.MissRamonagaveanodinMrs.Chester’sdirection,adazzlingsmiletoMr.ParkerPyneandsheandBasilmovedofftogether.
Aftertheyhadgonetherewasratheranawkwardsilence.Mr.ParkerPynedidnotliketospeakfirst.BettyGreggwastwistingherfingersandlookingouttosea.Mrs.Chesterlookedflushedandangry.
Bettysaid:“Well,whatdoyouthinkofournewacquisitioninPollensaBay?”Hervoicewasnotquitesteady.
Mr.ParkerPynesaidcautiously:
“Alittle—er—exotic.”
“Exotic?”Bettygaveashortbitterlaugh.
Mrs.Chestersaid:“She’sterrible—terrible.Basilmustbequitemad.”
Bettysaidsharply:“Basil’sallright.”
“Hertoenails,”saidMrs.Chesterwithashiverofnausea.
Bettyrosesuddenly.
“Ithink,Mrs.Chester,I’llgohomeandnotstaytodinnerafterall.”
“Oh,mydear—Basilwillbesodisappointed.”
“Willhe?”askedBettywithashortlaugh.“Anyway,IthinkIwill.I’vegotratheraheadache.”
Shesmiledatthembothandwentoff.Mrs.ChesterturnedtoMr.ParkerPyne.
“Iwishwehadnevercometothisplace—never!”
Mr.ParkerPyneshookhisheadsadly.
“Youshouldn’thavegoneaway,”saidMrs.Chester.“Ifyou’dbeenherethiswouldn’thavehappened.”
Mr.ParkerPynewasstungtorespond.
“Mydearlady,Icanassureyouthatwhenitcomestoaquestionofabeautifulyoungwoman,Ishouldhavenoinfluenceoveryoursonwhatever.He—er—seemstobeofaverysusceptiblenature.”
“Heneverusedtobe,”saidMrs.Chestertearfully.
“Well,”saidMr.ParkerPynewithanattemptatcheerfulness,“thisnewattractionseemstohavebrokenthebackofhisinfatuationforMissGregg.Thatmustbesomesatisfactiontoyou.”
“Idon’tknowwhatyoumean,”saidMrs.Chester.“BettyisadearchildanddevotedtoBasil.Sheisbehavingextremelywelloverthis.Ithinkmyboymustbemad.”
Mr.ParkerPynereceivedthisstartlingchangeoffacewithoutwincing.Hehadmetinconsistencyinwomenbefore.Hesaidmildly:
“Notexactlymad—justbewitched.”
“Thecreature’saDago.She’simpossible.”
“Butextremelygood-looking.”
Mrs.Chestersnorted.
Basilranupthestepsfromtheseafront.
“Hullo,Mater,hereIam.Where’sBetty?”
“Betty’sgonehomewithaheadache.Idon’twonder.”
“Sulking,youmean.”
“Iconsider,Basil,thatyouarebeingextremelyunkindtoBetty.”
“ForGod’ssake,Mother,don’tjaw.IfBettyisgoingtomakethisfusseverytimeIspeaktoanothergirlanicesortoflifewe’llleadtogether.”
“Youareengaged.”
“Oh,we’reengagedallright.Thatdoesn’tmeanthatwe’renotgoingtohaveanyfriendsofourown.Nowadayspeoplehavetoleadtheirownlivesandtrytocutoutjealousy.”
Hepaused.
“Lookhere,ifBettyisn’tgoingtodinewithus—IthinkI’llgobacktotheMariposa.Theydidaskmetodine….”
“Oh,Basil—”
Theboygaveheranexasperatedlook,thenranoffdownthesteps.
Mrs.ChesterlookedeloquentlyatMr.ParkerPyne.
“Yousee,”shesaid.
Hesaw.
Matterscametoaheadacoupleofdayslater.BettyandBasilweretohavegoneforalongwalk,takingapicniclunchwiththem.BettyarrivedatthePinod’OrotofindthatBasilhadforgottentheplanandgoneovertoFormentorforthedaywithDoloresRamona’sparty
Beyondatighteningofthelipsthegirlmadenosign.Presently,however,shegotupandstoodinfrontofMrs.Chester(thetwowomenwerealoneontheterrace).
“It’squiteallright,”shesaid.“Itdoesn’tmatter.ButIthink—allthesame—thatwe’dbettercallthewholethingoff.”
SheslippedfromherfingerthesignetringthatBasilhadgivenher—hewouldbuytherealengagementringlater.
“WillyougivehimbackthisMrs.Chester?Andtellhimit’sallright—nottoworry….”
“Bettydear,don’t!Hedoesloveyou—really.”
“Itlookslikeit,doesn’tit?”saidthegirlwithashortlaugh.“No—I’vegotsomepride.Tellhimeverything’sallrightandthatI—Iwishhimluck.”
WhenBasilreturnedatsunsethewasgreetedbyastorm.
Heflushedalittleatthesightofhisring.
“Sothat’showshefeels,isit?Well,Idaresayit’sthebestthing.”
“Basil!”
“Well,frankly,Mother,wedon’tseemtohavebeenhittingitofflately.”
“Whosefaultwasthat?”
“Idon’tseethatitwasmineparticularly.Jealousy’sbeastlyandIreallydon’tseewhyyoushouldgetallworkedupaboutit.YoubeggedmeyourselfnottomarryBetty.”
“ThatwasbeforeIknewher.Basil—mydear—you’renotthinkingofmarryingthisothercreature.”
BasilChestersaidsoberly:
“I’dmarryherlikeashotifshe’dhaveme—butI’mafraidshewon’t.”
ColdchillswentdownMrs.Chester’sspine.ShesoughtandfoundMr.ParkerPyne,placidlyreadingabookinashelteredcorner.
“Youmustdosomething!Youmustdosomething!Myboy’slifewillberuined.”
Mr.ParkerPynewasgettingalittletiredofBasilChester’slifebeingruined.
“WhatcanIdo?”
“Goandseethisterriblecreature.Ifnecessarybuyheroff.”
“Thatmaycomeveryexpensive.”
“Idon’tcare.”
“Itseemsapity.Stillthereare,possibly,otherways.”
Shelookedaquestion.Heshookhishead.
“I’llmakenopromises—butI’llseewhatIcando.Ihavehandledthatkindbefore.Bytheway,notawordtoBasil—thatwouldbefatal.”
“Ofcoursenot.”
Mr.ParkerPynereturnedfromtheMariposaatmidnight.Mrs.Chesterwassittingupforhim.
“Well?”shedemandedbreathlessly.
Hiseyestwinkled.
“TheSe?oritaDoloresRamonawillleavePollensatomorrowmorningandtheislandtomorrownight.”
“Oh,Mr.ParkerPyne!Howdidyoumanageit?”
“Itwon’tcostacent,”saidMr.ParkerPyne.Againhiseyestwinkled.“IratherfanciedImighthaveaholdoverher—andIwasright.”
“Youarewonderful.NinaWycherleywasquiteright.Youmustletmeknow—er—yourfees—”
Mr.ParkerPyneheldupawell-manicuredhand.
“Notapenny.Ithasbeenapleasure.Ihopeallwillgowell.Ofcoursetheboywillbeveryupsetatfirstwhenhefindsshe’sdisappearedandleftnoaddress.Justgoeasywithhimforaweekortwo.”
“IfonlyBettywillforgivehim—”
“She’llforgivehimallright.They’reanicecouple.Bytheway,I’mleavingtomorrow,too.”
“Oh,Mr.ParkerPyne,weshallmissyou.”
“Perhapsit’sjustaswellIshouldgobeforethatboyofyoursgetsinfatuatedwithyetathirdgirl.”
Mr.ParkerPyneleanedovertherailofthesteamerandlookedatthelightsofPalma.BesidehimstoodDoloresRamona.Hewassayingappreciatively:
“Averynicepieceofwork,Madeleine.I’mgladIwiredyoutocomeout.It’soddwhenyou’resuchaquiet,stay-at-homegirlreally.”
MadeleinedeSara,aliasDoloresRamona,aliasMaggieSayers,saidprimly:“I’mgladyou’repleased,Mr.ParkerPyne.It’sbeenanicelittlechange.IthinkI’llgobelownowandgettobedbeforetheboatstarts.I’msuchabadsailor.”
AfewminuteslaterahandfellonMr.ParkerPyne’sshoulder.HeturnedtoseeBasilChester.
“Hadtocomeandseeyouoff,Mr.ParkerPyne,andgiveyouBetty’sloveandherandmybestthanks.Itwasagrandstuntofyours.BettyandMotherareasthickasthieves.Seemedashametodeceivetheolddarling—butshewasbeingdifficult.Anywayit’sallrightnow.Imustjustbecarefultokeepuptheannoyancestuffacoupleofdayslonger.We’renoendgratefultoyou,BettyandI.”
“Iwishyoueveryhappiness,”saidMr.ParkerPyne.
“Thanks.”
Therewasapause,thenBasilsaidwithsomewhatoverdonecarelessness:
“IsMiss—MissdeSara—anywhereabout?I’dliketothankher,too.”
Mr.ParkerPyneshotakeenglanceathim.
Hesaid:
“I’mafraidMissdeSara’sgonetobed.”
“Oh,toobad—well,perhapsI’llseeherinLondonsometime.”
“AsamatteroffactsheisgoingtoAmericaonbusinessformealmostatonce.”
“Oh!”Basil’stonewasblank.“Well,”hesaid.“I’llbegettingalong….”
Mr.ParkerPynesmiled.OnhiswaytohiscabinhetappedonthedoorofMadeleine’s.
“Howareyou,mydear?Allright?Ouryoungfriendhasbeenalong.TheusualslightattackofMadeleinitis.He’llgetoveritinadayortwo,butyouareratherdistracting.”
AbouttheAuthor
AGATHACHRISTIEisthemostwidelypublishedauthorofalltime,outsoldonlybytheBibleandShakespeare.HerbookshavesoldmorethanabillioncopiesinEnglishandanotherbillioninahundredforeignlanguages.Shediedin1976.
www.AgathaChristie.com
Visitwww.AuthorTracker.comforexclusiveinformationonyourfavoriteHarperCollinsauthors.
TheAgathaChristieCollection
TheManintheBrownSuit
TheSecretofChimneys
TheSevenDialsMystery
TheMysteriousMr.Quin
TheSittafordMystery
ParkerPyneInvestigates
WhyDidn’tTheyAskEvans?
MurderIsEasy
TheRegattaMysteryandOtherStories
AndThenThereWereNone
TowardsZero
DeathComesastheEnd
SparklingCyanide
TheWitnessfortheProsecutionandOtherStories
CrookedHouse
ThreeBlindMiceandOtherStories
TheyCametoBaghdad
DestinationUnknown
OrdealbyInnocence
DoubleSinandOtherStories
ThePaleHorse
StarOverBethlehem:PoemsandHolidayStories
EndlessNight
PassengertoFrankfurt
TheGoldenBallandOtherStories
TheMousetrapandOtherPlays
TheHarlequinTeaSetandOtherStories
TheHerculePoirotMysteries
TheMysteriousAffairatStyles
TheMurderontheLinks
PoirotInvestigates
TheMurderofRogerAckroyd
TheBigFour
TheMysteryoftheBlueTrain
PerilatEndHouse
LordEdgwareDies
MurderontheOrientExpress
ThreeActTragedy
DeathintheClouds
TheA.B.C.Murders
MurderinMesopotamia
CardsontheTable
MurderintheMews
DumbWitness
DeathontheNile
AppointmentwithDeath
HerculePoirot’sChristmas
SadCypress
One,Two,BuckleMyShoe
EvilUndertheSun
FiveLittlePigs
TheHollow
TheLaborsofHercules
TakenattheFlood
TheUnderDogandOtherStories
Mrs.McGinty’sDead
AftertheFuneral
HickoryDickoryDock
DeadMan’sFolly
CatAmongthePigeons
TheClocks
ThirdGirl
Hallowe’enParty
ElephantsCanRemember
Curtain:Poirot’sLastCase
TheMissMarpleMysteries
TheMurderattheVicarage
TheBodyintheLibrary
TheMovingFinger
AMurderIsAnnounced
TheyDoItwithMirrors
APocketFullofRye
4:50fromPaddington
TheMirrorCrack’dfromSidetoSide
ACaribbeanMystery
AtBertram’sHotel
Nemesis
SleepingMurder
MissMarple:TheCompleteShortStories
TheTommyandTuppenceMysteries
TheSecretAdversary
PartnersinCrime
NorM?
BythePrickingofMyThumbs
PosternofFate
Memoirs
AnAutobiography
Come,TellMeHowYouLive
Copyright
Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Thecharacters,incidents,anddialoguearedrawnfromtheauthor’simaginationandarenottobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.
AGATHACHRISTIE?PARKERPYNEINVESTIGATES?areregisteredtrademarksofAgathaChristieLimitedintheUKandelsewhere.Allrightsreserved.
“ProblematPollensaBay”waspreviouslypublishedaspartofParkerPyneInvestigatesshortstorycollection,copyright?1934AgathaChristieLimited.AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedthenonexclusive,nontransferablerighttoaccessandreadthetextofthise-bookonscreen.Nopartofthistextmaybereproduced,transmitted,decompiled,reverse-engineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownorhereinafterinvented,withoutthe