Dead Man’s Folly

Lunch at Nasse House is a quick buffet before the fête begins. By three o’clock, the grounds bustle with visitors, cars lining the drive, and chatter in multiple languages from Youth Hostel students. Lady Stubbs emerges just before the opening, dressed in a striking cyclamen gown, a large black straw hat, and diamonds. Miss Brewis mutters a sarcastic comment, but Poirot compliments Lady Stubbs, who cheerfully recalls wearing the outfit at Ascot. Poirot wanders the grounds, observing stalls, games, raffles, and a children’s dance display. He sees Mrs. Folliat appear to take charge of welcoming guests as if she were the hostess of Nasse.

Poirot lingers near Mrs. Folliat, overhearing her warm greetings to old friends, local villagers, and visitors from afar. She talks knowledgeably about the gardens and estate improvements. To Poirot, she seems to have slipped naturally back into her old role. Moving on, Poirot rests in the fortune-telling tent, where Sally Legge, dressed as “Madame Zuleika,” reads his palm and complains about her assignment. Afterward, he endures a string of side-show encounters, including accidentally winning a large Kewpie doll, which he promptly gives to a tearful child.

Captain Warburton appears, agitated because Lady Stubbs is missing from her post as judge for the children’s fancy dress contest. Miss Brewis cannot locate her either. Sir George asks Poirot to search the murder hunt route, giving him a rough list of locations. On his way, Poirot spots Sir George serving the Italian girl he earlier rebuked. Poirot checks the tennis court, finding only a dozing man, then heads to the camellia garden, where Mrs. Oliver sits in dramatic purple robes, fretting over the slow progress of clue hunters. They watch one enthusiastic contestant puzzle over a clue pointing to the Folly.

Mrs. Oliver decides to check on Marlene Tucker. She and Poirot navigate the wooded paths, passing the Folly and descending to the boathouse over the river. Mrs. Oliver unlocks the door and greets Marlene, who lies sprawled on the floor in costume. At first, Mrs. Oliver assumes the girl is simply playing her part. However, when Poirot kneels beside her and examines her closely, he finds that she is actually dead, strangled with a clothesline knotted beneath her scarf. Poirot notes that the method matches the fictional killing in Mrs. Oliver’s game.