at Madame would have kept that letter？〃
〃Yes … yes；〃 said the Examining Magistrate doubtfully； 〃there is something in what you say。 But at such times； you understand； a man is not master of himself。 He does not reason calmly。 Mon Dieu！〃 he added； with feeling； 〃if our criminals kept their heads and acted with intelligence； how should we capture them？〃
Poirot smiled to himself。
〃It seems to me a clear case；〃 said the other； 〃but a difficult one to prove。 He is a slippery customer； and unless the maid can identify him …〃
〃Which is most unlikely；〃 said Poirot。
〃True； true。〃 The Examining Magistrate rubbed his chin。 〃It is going to be difficult。〃
〃If he did indeed mit the crime …〃 began Poirot。 M。 Caux interrupted。
〃If … you say if？〃
〃Yes； Monsieur le Juge； I say if。〃
The other looked at him sharply。 〃You are right；〃 he said at last； 〃we go too fast。 It is possible that the te may have an alibi。 Then we should look foolish。〃
〃Ah； ？a par exemple；〃 replied Poirot； 〃that is of no importance whatever。 Naturally； if he mitted the crime he will have an alibi。 A man with the te's experience does not neglect to take precautions。 No； I said if for a very different reason。〃
〃And what was that？〃
Poirot wagged an emphatic forefinger。
〃The psychology。〃
〃Eh？〃 said the missary。
〃The psychology is at fault。 The te is a scoundrel … yes。 The te is a swindler … yes。 The te preys upon women … yes。 He proposes to steal Madame's jewels … again yes。 Is he the kind of man to mit murder？ I say no！ A man of the type of the te is always a coward； he takes no risks。 He plays the safe； the mean； what the English call the lowdown game； but murder； a hundred times no！〃 He shook his head in a dissatisf