AgathaChristie
“TheincidentIamdescribinghappenedintheislandofGrandCanary, , , therewasexcellentsurfbathing (andIamanenthusiasticbather) .”
“AsIsay, , , theMetropole, youwillseepeopleofallracesandnationalities—.”
“Mystorybeginsthere, intheMetropoleHotel, , butthemajorityofthedancerswereSpanish; andwhentheorchestrastruckupatango, , beautifulandsinuous, .”
“Womenlikethat,”hesaid, “.”
“Beautyisperhapsadangerouspossession,”Isaid.
“It’snotonlybeauty,”heinsisted.“, , ’veonlygottolookathertoknowit.”
Hepausedandthenaddedwithasmile: “Justasyou’veonlygottolookatthosetwowomenoverthere, andknowthatnothingoutofthewaycouldeverhappentoeitherofthem! Theyaremadeforasafeanduneventfulexistence.”
“—aHollandLloydboathadputintoportthatevening, andthepassengerswerejustbeginningtoarrive.”
“—, Ishouldsay, —justalittle—tooplump; theotherwasdarkandalittle—againjustalittle—-preserved, quietlyandinconspicuouslydressedinwell-cuttweeds, , assistedbyBaedeker, , , asmyfriendsaid, nothingexcitingorremarkablewouldeverhappentoeitherofthem, -closedsmoulderingeyesandIsmiled.”
“Poorthings,”saidJaneHelierwithasigh.“ButIdothinkit’—Valentine—; andhaveyouseenherin ‘TheDownwardStep’? Astheschoolgirlinthefirstactshe’’’sreallynearersixty.”
“Goon,”saidMrsBantrytoDrLloyd.“.”
“I’msorry,”saidDrLloydapologetically.“Butyousee, asamatteroffact, thisstoryisn’tabouttheSpanishwoman.”
“Itisn’t?”
“, andbythetimeIlefttheislandshehadhadfivechildrenandwasgettingveryfat.”
