Four-and-Twenty Blackbirds: A Hercule Poirot Short Story. Agatha Christie

order?’

      ‘I dare say you gentlemen will laugh at me,’ Molly flushed up, ‘but when a gentleman has been here for ten years, you get to know his likes and dislikes. He never could bear suet pudding or blackberries and I’ve never known him take thick soup – but on that Monday night he ordered thick tomato soup, beefsteak and kidney pudding and blackberry tart! Seemed as though he just didn’t notice what he ordered!’

      ‘Do you know,’ said Hercule Poirot, ‘I find that extraordinarily interesting.’

      Molly looked gratified and departed.

      ‘Well, Poirot,’ said Henry Bonnington with a chuckle. ‘Let’s have a few deductions from you. All in your best manner.’