The Gentleman Dressed in Newspaper by Agatha Christie. Short summary

5 seconds

Tommy and Tuppence go to a costume party, where in one of the booths they discover a woman in a lady of hearts costume with a knife through her heart. The detectives help Inspector Merriot solve the case.

1 minute

A short story in the «Tommy and Tuppence» series. After reading a strange ad in the paper, Tuppence convinces Tommy to go to a costume ball at the Ace of Spades nightclub.

At the party, the detectives observe the attendees. They are interested in one couple: a woman in a lady of hearts costume and a gentleman in a newspaper suit. Suddenly a scream is heard from the booth where the couple are seated. Soon the Lady of Hearts is found with a knife through her heart. Before she dies, she whispers: «Bingo did it.»

The next day Inspector Marriott brings to Tommy and Tuppence Sir Arthur Merivale, the dead woman’s husband. «Bingo» Hale was a friend of the family, and Arthur is stunned that a pal might have killed his wife. Hale is arrested for murder.

The case is concluded, but Tuppence senses a catch. After comparing the piece of newspaper torn off by the murdered woman with the discarded suit, Tuppence solves the case. The murderer turns out to be Arthur, who had disguised himself in the same suit and stabbed his wife out of jealousy. Arthur throws himself out the window before he is captured.