First published in 1963, number 34 in the series. Typist Sheila Webb arrives at her afternoon appointment at 19 Wilbraham Crescent in Crowdean, Sussex, to find a dead man surrounded by six clocks, four of which are stopped at 4:13. Miss Pebmarsh, the blind owner of the house, arrives home and Sheila runs screaming into the street and into the arms of a young man walking past who just happens to be secret agent Colin Lamb who is on a mission of his own. A police investigation reveals that the dead man's business card is false and the labels have all been removed from his clothing. Colin and Inspector Hardcastle interview the neighbours whose homes adjoin the murder site. Later Colin approaches an old friend of his father, an aged Hercule Poirot, to investigate the case. He challenges Poirot to do so from his armchair. Two more murders occur which are connected with the case. Is the case as complicated as it first seems or is it in reality quite simple really... ( )