Chapters 6 and 7 Summary

After Mrs. Lorrimer's interview, Superintendent Battle asks Poirot why he questions the suspects about the bridge game. Poirot believes he can get a bit of a psychological profile of the players by evaluating how they kept score and how they remember the game. He has determined that Major Despard is a man who likes an immediate picture of the game, hence his tendency to cancel as he goes. Mrs. Lorrimer is a brilliant player, a good contrast to Dr. Roberts's tendency to overbid. Miss Meredith is a timid player, easily intimidated by her partner, regardless of who it may have been.

When they question Miss Meredith, Battle becomes solicitous and gentle. The girl is obviously frightened and Battle is very fatherly with her. She met Shaitana in Switzerland nine months previously and always was a little afraid of him. She has...