After greetings and introductions, Poirot narrated
simply and clearly the circumstances of his
visit and the story told him by Benedict Farley. He
could not complain of any lack of interest.
"Most extraordinary story I've ever heard!"
said the inspector. "A dream, eh? Did you know
anything about this, Mrs. Farley?"
She bowed her head.
"My husband mentioned it to me. It upset him
very much. I--I told him it was indigestion--his
diet, you know, was very peculiar--and suggested
his calling in Dr. Stillingfleet."
That young man shook his head.
"He didn't consult me. From M. Poirot's story,
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I gather he went to Harley Street."
"I would like your advice on that point, doc-tor,''
said Poirot. "Mr. Farley told me that he
consulted three specialists. What do you think of
the theories they advanced?"
Stillingfleet frowned.
"It's difficult to say. You've got to take into
count that what he passed on to you wasn't exactly
what had been said to him. It was a layman's in-terpretation.''
"You mean he had got the phraseology
wrong?"
"Not exactly. I mean they would put a thing to
him in professional terms, he'd get the meaning a
little distorted, and then recast it in his own lan-guage.''