LadyChattertonasksforPoirot'sassistancewhenshecomestofearforthesafetyofherfriend,MargueriteClayton.Specifically,sheisconvincedthatMarguerite'shusbandEdwardClayton,knownforhisviolenttemper,willkillher.PoirotisinvitedtoapartyinordertomeetClayton,buthenevershowsup.Thenextday,PoirotfindshimselfbeinginterviewedbyInspectorJappwhenEdwardClayton'sbodyisfoundhiddeninanelaborateSpanishchestlocatedinthesameroomasthepartythepreviousevening.WhenMarguerite'sfriendMajorRichisarrestedforthemurder,Poirotcorrectlydeducesthetruenatureofthecrimeandtheidentityoftheculpritbbb