VI

Just outside the bar Poirot encountered Mr. Gardener. He was carrying two cocktails and wasclearly on his way to where Mrs. Gardener was ensconced with her jig-saw.

He smiled at Poirot in genial fashion.

“Care to join us, M. Poirot?”

Poirot shook his head. He said:

“What did you think of the inquest, Mr. Gardener?”

Mr. Gardener lowered his voice. He said:

“Seemed kind of indeterminate to me. Your police, I gather, have got something up theirsleeves.”

“It is possible,” said Hercule Poirot.

Mr. Gardener lowered his voice still further.

“I shall be glad to get Mrs. Gardener away. She’s a very, very sensitive woman, and this affairhas got on her nerves. She’s very highly strung.”

Hercule Poirot said:

“Will you permit me, Mr. Gardener, to ask you one question?”

“Why, certainly, M. Poirot. Delighted to assist in any way I can.”

Hercule Poirot said:

“You are a man of the world—a man, I think, of considerable acumen. What, frankly, was youropinion of the late Mrs. Marshall?”

Mr. Gardener’s eyebrows rose in surprise. He glanced cautiously round and lowered his voice.

“Well, M. Poirot, I’ve heard a few things that have been kind of going around, if you get me,especially among the women.” Poirot nodded. “But if you ask me I’ll tell you my candid opinionand that is that that woman was pretty much of a darned fool!”

Hercule Poirot said thoughtfully:

“Now that is very interesting.”