And then my chap pulled out a snapshot. He showed it to the second chap. 'That's the fellow,' he said. 'I'd gone along the next day to check up on the particulars, and I noticed a magnificent species of hibiscus just by the front door, a variety I'd never seen before in this country. My camera was in the car and I took a photo. Just as I snapped the shutter the husband came out of the front door so I got him as well. Don't think he realised it. I asked him about the hibiscus but he couldn't tell me its name.' Second medico looked at the snap. He said: 'It's a bit out of focus-but I could swear-at any rate I'm almost sure it's the same man!' Don't know if they followed it up. But if so they didn't get anywhere. Expect Mr. Jones or Robinson covered his tracks too well. But queer story, isn't it? Wouldn't think things like that could happen."

"Oh yes, I would," said Miss Marple placidly. "Practically every day."

"Oh, come, come. That's a bit fantastic."

"If a man gets a formula that works-he won't stop. He'll go on."

"Brides in the bath-eh?"

"That kind of thing, yes."

"Major let me have that snap just as a curiosity-" Major Palgrave began fumbling through an overstuffed wallet murmuring to himself: "Lots of things in here-don't know why I keep all these things…"

Miss Marple thought she did know. They were part of the Major's stock in trade. They illustrated his repertoire of stories. The story he had just told, or so she suspected, had not been originally like that-it had been worked up a good deal in repeated telling.

The Major was still shuffling and muttering. "Forgotten all about that business. Good-looking woman she was, you'd never suspect- Now where- Ah-that takes my mind back-what tusks! I must show you- He stopped, sorted out a small photographic print and peered down at it. "Like to see the picture of a murderer?" He was about to pass it to her when his movement was suddenly arrested.