[Cards on the Table -Agatha Christie] Foreword

There is an idea prevalent that a detective story is rather like a big race—a number of starters—likely horses and jockeys.

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[Cards on the Table -Agatha Christie] One. Mr. Shaitana

“My dear M. Poirot!”
It was a soft purring voice—a voice used deliberately as an instrument—nothing impulsive or premeditated about it.

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[Cards on the Table -Agatha Christie] Two. Dinner at Mr. Shaitana’s

The door of Mr. Shaitana’s flat opened noiselessly. A grey-haired butler drew it back to let Poirot enter. He closed it equally noiselessly and deftly relieved the guest of his overcoat and hat.

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[Cards on the Table -Agatha Christie] Three. A Game of Bridge

When the company returned to the drawing room a bridge table had been set out. Coffee was handed round.

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[Cards on the Table -Agatha Christie] Four. First Murderer?

Hercule Poirot, Mrs. Oliver, Colonel Race and Superintendent Battle sat round the dining room table.

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[Cards on the Table -Agatha Christie] Five. Second Murderer?

Mrs. Lorrimer came into the dining room like a gentlewoman. She looked a little pale, but composed.

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[Cards on the Table -Agatha Christie] Six. Third Murderer?

“Didn’t get any extra change out of her,” commented Battle. “Put me in my place, too.

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[Cards on the Table -Agatha Christie] Seven. Fourth Murderer?

Despard entered the room with a quick springing step—a step that reminded Poirot of something or someone.

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[Cards on the Table -Agatha Christie] Eight. Which of Them?

Battle looked from one face to another. Only one person answered his question. Mrs. Oliver, never averse to giving her views, rushed into speech.

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[Cards on the Table -Agatha Christie] Nine. Dr. Roberts

“Good morning, Superintendent Battle.”
Dr. Roberts rose from his chair and offered a large pink hand smelling of a mixture of good soap and faint carbolic.

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[Cards on the Table -Agatha Christie] Ten. Dr. Roberts (Continued)

Superintendent Battle was lunching with M. Hercule Poirot.
The former looked downcast, the latter sympathetic.

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[Cards on the Table -Agatha Christie] Eleven. Mrs. Lorrimer

111 Cheyne Lane was a small house of very neat and trim appearance standing in a quiet street. The door was painted black and the steps were particularly well whitened, the brass of the knocker and handle gleamed in the afternoon sun.

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[Cards on the Table -Agatha Christie] Twelve. Anne Meredith

Mrs. Oliver extricated herself from the driving seat of her little two-seater with some difficulty.

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[Cards on the Table -Agatha Christie] Thirteen. Second Visitor

At the sight of Mrs. Oliver, Major Despard looked slightly taken aback. Under his tan his face flushed a rich brick red. Embarrassment made him jerky. He made for Anne.

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[Cards on the Table -Agatha Christie] Fourteen. Third Visitor

Superintendent Battle arrived at Wallingford about six o’clock. It was his intention to learn as much as he could from innocent local gossip before interviewing Miss Anne Meredith.

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[Cards on the Table -Agatha Christie] Fifteen. Major Despard

Major Despard came out of the Albany, turned sharply into Regent Street and jumped on a bus.

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[Cards on the Table -Agatha Christie] Sixteen. The Evidence of Elsie Batt

Sergeant O’Connor was unkindly nicknamed by his colleagues at the Yard: “The Maidservant’s Prayer.”

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[Cards on the Table -Agatha Christie] Seventeen. The Evidence Of Rhoda Dawes

Rhoda Dawes came out of Debenham’s and stood meditatively upon the pavement. Indecision was written all over her face. It was an expressive face; each fleeting emotion showed itself in a quickly varying expression.

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[Cards on the Table -Agatha Christie] Eighteen. Tea Interlude

Mrs. Lorrimer came out of a certain door in Harley Street.
She stood for a minute at the top of the steps, and then she descended them slowly.

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[Cards on the Table -Agatha Christie] Nineteen. Consultation

The telephone rang in Poirot’s room and a respectful voice spoke.
“Sergeant O’Connor. Superintendent Battle’s compliments and would it be convenient for Mr. Hercule Poirot to come to Scotland Yard at 11:30?”

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