Dead Man’s Folly

Poirot strolls beyond the Nasse House gates and follows the road to a small quay. An old ferryman named Merdell engages him in conversation, reminiscing about working for the Folliats and speaking warmly of Mrs. Folliat’s devotion to the estate despite personal tragedies. He recalls her two sons—Henry, a promising naval officer, and James, a temperamental troublemaker—who were both killed in the war. The old man also criticizes the recently built Folly—a white, columned, temple-like structure set among the trees—and blames Lady Stubbs for persuading Sir George to erect it. Before shuffling away, he cryptically says, “Always be Folliats at Nasse,” leaving Poirot puzzled.

Preparing for dinner, Poirot notices the butler, Henden, whose melancholy face fits a stereotype of mystery fiction servants. He questions Miss Brewis, who explains she acts as housekeeper herself and seems skeptical of Lady Stubbs. In the drawing room, the guests—Mrs. Oliver, Michael Weyman, the Legges, and the Warburtons—gather before dinner. While the others continue to discuss plans for the following day, Mrs. Oliver broods over the possibility of a “fatal flaw” in her plot. Meanwhile, Lady Stubbs remains silent and yawns frequently. When the meal ends, she immediately announces she is going to bed.

Later that evening, the group busies itself with final fête tasks. Poirot, following Lady Stubbs’s example, goes to bed early. The next morning, everyone enjoys a large breakfast together except Lady Stubbs, who is present but only nibbles toast under a large pale-pink hat. At breakfast, she opens a letter from her cousin Etienne announcing his arrival by yacht later the same way, causing her to react with dismay. Sir George suggests hosting him, but she responds with visible reluctance. Poirot catches a fleeting, shrewd look in her eyes—cold and calculating—before her usual vacant expression returns.

On the stairs afterward, Lady Stubbs tells Poirot she fears Etienne, calling him “bad” and claiming he “does bad things.” Outside, Poirot assists Mrs. Masterton with fête arrangements, enduring her brisk commands and candid social commentary on the household. Slipping away, he witnesses Sir George angrily turning away two young female trespassers—one of them the Italian girl Poirot saw the previous day. Mrs. Oliver then introduces Poirot to Marlene Tucker, the girl chosen to play the murder victim. Marlene chatters to Poirot enthusiastically about her interest in murder mysteries and the possibility of being targeted by a “sex maniac.” After his discussion with Marlene, Poirot retreats to his bedroom, seeking quiet.