in his plaintive tone。
〃But； indeed； I have not said anything at all。〃
〃But you will。〃
〃Eh？〃 said Poirot。
〃You will say that I have no earthly chance of marrying Katherine。〃
〃No；〃 said Poirot； 〃I would not say that。 Your reputation is bad； yes； but with women … never does that deter them。 If you were a man of excellent character； of strict morality who had done nothing that he should not do； and … possibly everything that he should do … eh bien！ then I should have grave doubts of your success。 Moral worth； you understand； it is not romantic。 It is appreciated； however； by widows。〃
Derek Kettering stared at him； then he swung round on his heel and went up to the waiting car。
Poirot looked after him with some interest。 He saw the lovely vision lean out of the car and speak。
Derek Kettering did not stop。 He lifted his hat and passed straight on。
〃？a y est；〃 said M。 Hercule Poirot； 〃it is time； I think； that I return chez moi。〃
He found the imperturbable George pressing trousers。
〃A pleasant day； Georges； somewhat fatiguing； but not without interest；〃 he said。
George received these remarks in his usual wooden fashion。
〃Indeed； sir。〃
〃The personality of a criminal； Georges； is an interesting matter。 Many murderers are men of great personal charm。〃
〃I always heard； sir； that Dr Crippen was a pleasant…spoken gentleman。 And yet he cut up his wife like so much mincemeat。〃
〃Your instances are always apt； Georges。〃
The valet did not reply； and at that moment the telephone rang。 Poirot took up the receiver。
〃'Allo … 'allo … yes； yes； it is Hercule Poirot who speaks。〃
〃This is Knighton。 Will you hold the line a minute； M。 Poirot？ Mr Van Aldin would li