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By Root 926 0

occurred, but we feel confident that Chief Saulter and Broward’s Rock can count on all of you to do your duty. Now, for you Christie fans, here are the ground rules for the treasure hunt. I know everyone will observe these rules cheerfully. Some of you have already spotted Hunt Stations. I know you will understand”—a toothy smile which was about as sincere as Lord Caterham’s geniality when dealing with George Lomax in The Secret of Chimneys—“why our dedicated volunteers are forbidden to exchange even a single word with treasure hunters.” Annie leaned forward. “Not. One. Single. Word. O—kay?” Another toothy smile to soften the imperative voice. “Furthermore, anyone attempting to deface, remove, or relocate a poster will automatically be disqualified. As will anyone attempting under any pretext to abscond with the Title Slips.” A brisk nod to emphasize the seriousness of these regulations. “Now, here’s how the treasure hunt works. The objective is to match up the clues and the posters. Each of you will receive a Clue Sheet.” She brandished the bright pink sheets. “There are twenty-five clues. Scattered about on the lower level of the hotel are twenty-five posters. Each is manned by a volunteer. You must find the poster which matches the clue. Upon whispering the correct title to the hunt station attendant, you will receive a slip bearing the name of that Christie title. The first person—or persons, teams are fine—to return to the registration desk with all twenty-five Christie title slips will receive a five-pound box of Godiva chocolates.”

CLUE SHEET

1. Beware the false face;

Can’t trust someone in this place.

2. Lucky, lovely, rich Linnet.

Luckiest girl in the world—or is she?

3. Children’s laughter, bobbing apples;

Too much talk and murder strikes.

4. Where was Agnes Woddell,

Or is this too ob-skewer?

5. Bess Sedgwick wanted to take the blame,

But Poirot wouldn’t play that game.

6. Be wary of so many accidents;

Fair of face, but a greedy soul.

7. Henrietta did her best,

And almost lost her life.

8. Jane’s ulster droops over a chair;

A rolled-up magazine pokes from a pocket

9. Poor Wonky Pooh’s mistress never reached Scotland Yard;

Lavinia was victim No. 4, how many more?

10. Malicious Henet met her fate among disordered sheets;

Human nature was just the same, then as now.

11. “He was murdered, wasn’t he?”

But the ladylike killer talks too much.

12. Suntan in a bottle;

Who took that bath?

13. Miss Lemon makes a mistake!

Hercule Poirot does a double take.

14. Blood on a golf club, blood on a suit;

Somebody, Inspector Battle thinks, got very cute.

15. Dolly Bantry’s worried sick;

She recruits Miss Marple quick.

16. Poor Dora Bunner meant well,

But there was too much she could tell.

17. Things are hot, revolution is brewing.

Bob hides the jewels, but a mirror reflects.

18. Mr. Shaitana thumbed his nose,

And his life drew to a close.

19. Elinor Katharine Carlisle—

Innocent or guilty?

20. A wasp flew loose in the cabin,

But the fatal sting came from a thorn.

21. She had to die;

Poirot finds out why.

22. Frankie crashes the car,

But that doesn’t get her very far.

23. A mislabeled path at Victoria Falls;

Look for the answer in the wooden giraffe.

24. Just a contest, but money tempts;

A hearty man’s closet tells the tale.

25. Lady Hoggin is willing to pay;

Will Shan Tung come home today?

Appreciative ah’s came from the preponderantly female audience. Some facts of gender are beyond dispute. A passion for chocolate and hormone levels correlate uncannily.

Annie reached beneath the table and brought up the gold-foil-wrapped box of chocolates. “Are there any questions?” she called out over cries of delight.

There were, of course, and some would have taxed the ingenuity of Jacques Futrelle’s brainy Professor Van Dusen. Annie avoided complications by stubbornly reiterating the ground rules and refusing to entertain even the slightest modification of the program. She knew only too well