Summary

Hercule Poirot is sitting on the terrace after dinner and after everyone else is gone. Linnet Doyle asks to hire him with a problem, but he tells he that he's on vacation. She explains the problem is Jackie following Linnet and Simon wherever they go. Linnet also mentions Jackie has threatened them. Hercule says that Jackie is not breaking the law and suggests that Linnet's attitude is one of disgust because she knows that stealing Simon from Jackie was wrong. Hercule agrees to talk with Jackie, but not as a commissioned representative of Linnet's. When he asks what kind of threats Jackie has made, Linnet tells him that Jackie has threatened to kill Linnet and Simon.

Analysis

The fact that Jackie has threatened to kill Linnet and Simon foreshadows Jackie becoming the primary suspect when the newlyweds wind up dead.

Vocabulary

hastily, meditation, trifle, regal, keenly...