Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie Read Free Book Online Page A

only half-educated. Or so my wife says. Look at what he reads! Nothing but thrillers or Wild West stories.”
    Poirot said:
    â€œYou mean that he has still the mentality of a boy?”
    â€œWell, don’t you think so, sir?”
    â€œMe, I have not seen very much of him.”
    â€œI haven’t either. I’ve been out sailing with him once or twice—but he doesn’t really like having anyone with him. He prefers to be on his own.”
    Hercule Poirot said:
    â€œThat is indeed curious. It is singularly unlike his practice on land.”
    Redfern laughed. He said:
    â€œI know. We all have a bit of trouble keeping out of his way.He’d like to turn this place into a cross between Margate and Le Touquet.”
    Poirot said nothing for a minute or two. He was studying the laughing face of his companion very attentively. He said suddenly and unexpectedly:
    â€œI think, M. Redfern, that you enjoy living.”
    Patrick stared at him, surprised.
    â€œIndeed I do. Why not?”
    â€œWhy not indeed,” agreed Poirot. “I make you my felicitation on the fact.”
    Smiling a little, Patrick Redfern said:
    â€œThank you, sir.”
    â€œThat is why, as an older man, a very much older man, I venture to offer you a piece of advice.”
    â€œYes, sir?”
    â€œA very wise friend of mine in the Police Force said to me years ago: ‘Hercule, my friend, if you would know tranquillity, avoid women.’”
    Patrick Redfern said:
    â€œI’m afraid it’s a bit late for that, sir. I’m married, you know.”
    â€œI do know. Your wife is a very charming, a very accomplished woman. She is, I think, very fond of you.”
    Patrick Redfern said sharply:
    â€œI’m very fond of her.”
    â€œAh,” said Hercule Poirot, “I am delighted to hear it.”
    Patrick’s brow was suddenly like thunder.
    â€œLook here, M. Poirot, what are you getting at?”
    â€œ Les Femmes. ” Poirot leaned back and closed his eyes. “I knowsomething of them. They are capable of complicating life unbearably. And the English, they conduct their affairs indescribably. If it was necessary for you to come here, M. Redfern, why, in the name of heaven, did you bring your wife?”
    Patrick Redfern said angrily:
    â€œI don’t know what you mean.”
    Hercule Poirot said calmly:
    â€œYou know perfectly. I am not so foolish as to argue with an infatuated man. I utter only the word of caution.”
    â€œYou’ve been listening to these damned scandalmongers. Mrs. Gardener, the Brewster woman—nothing to do but to clack their tongues all day. Just because a woman’s good-looking—they’re down on her like a sack of coals.”
    Hercule Poirot got up. He murmured:
    â€œAre you really as young as all that?”
    Shaking his head, he left the bar. Patrick Redfern stared angrily after him.
    V
    Hercule Poirot paused in the hall on his way from the dining room. The doors were open—a breath of soft night air came in.
    The rain had stopped and the mist had dispersed. It was a fine night again.
    Hercule Poirot found Mrs. Redfern in her favourite seat on the cliff ledge. He stopped by her and said:
    â€œThis seat is damp. You should not sit here. You will catch the chill.”
    â€œNo, I shan’t. And what does it matter anyway.”
    â€œTscha, tscha, you are not a child! You are an educated woman. You must look at things sensibly.”
    She said coldly:
    â€œI can assure you I never take cold.”
    Poirot said:
    â€œIt has been a wet day. The wind blew, the rain came down, and the mist was everywhere so that one could not see through it. Eh bien, what is it like now? The mists have rolled away, the sky is clear and up above the stars shine. That is like life, Madame.”
    Christine said in a low fierce voice:
    â€œDo you know what I am most sick of in this place?”
    â€œWhat,