Problem at Pollensa Bay and Other Stories

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CONTENTSProblem at Pollensa BayThe Second GongYellow Iris The Harlequin Tea SetThe Regatta MysteryThe Love DetectivesNext to a DogMagnolia BlossomPROBLEM AT POLLENSA BAY

The steamer from Barcelona to Majorca landed Mr Parker Pyne at Palma in the early hours of the morning - and straightaway he met with disillusionment. The hotels were full! The best that could be done for him was an airless cupboard overlooking an inner court in a hotel in the center of the town - and with that Mr Parker Pyne was not prepared to put up. The proprietor of the hotel was indifferent to his disappointment. "What will you?" he observed with a shrug. Palma was popular now! The exchange was favorable! Everyone - the English, the Americans - they all came to Majorca in the winter. The whole place was crowded. It was doubtful if the English gentleman would be able to get in anywhere - except perhaps at Formentor where the prices were so ruinous that even foreigners blenched at them. Mr Parker Pyne partook of some coffee and a roll and went out to view the cathedral, but found himself in no mood for appreciating beauties of architecture. He next had a conference with a taxi-driver in inadequate French interspersed with native Spanish, and they discussed the possibilities of Soller, Alcudia, Pollensa and Formentor - where there were fine hotels, but they were expensive. Mr Parker Pyne was goaded to inquire how expensive. They asked, said the taxi driver, a price that it would be absurd and ridiculous to consider, since it was well known that the English came to the island because the prices were cheap and reasonable. Mr Parker Pyne said that that was true, but all the same what sums did they charge at the Formentor? A price quite incredible! Perfectly - but WHAT PRICE EXACTLY?

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