Who wouldn't be pleased to attend a small dinner party being held by Sir Charles Cartwright, once the leading star of the London stage?
At his "Crow's Nest" home in Loomouth, Cornwall.
Unfortunately, thirteen guests arrived at the actor's house, most unlucky.
One of them was a vicar.
It was to be a particularly unlucky evening for the mild-mannered Reverend Stephen Babbington, who choked on his cocktail, went into convulsions and died.
But when his martini glass was sent for chemical analysis, there was no trace of poison -- just as Hercule Poirot, also in attendance, had predicted.
Even more troubling for the great detective, there was absolutely no motive!