med of the course of events？ It will be a kindness。〃
〃But certainly … most certainly。〃
Van Aldin rose also。
〃You don't want me any more at present？〃
〃No； Monsieur； we have all the information we need for the moment。〃
〃Then I will walk a little way with M。 Poirot。 That is； if he does not object？〃
〃Enchanted； Monsieur；〃 said the little man； with a bow。
Van Aldin lighted a large cigar； having offered one to Poirot； who declined it； and lit one of his own tiny cigarettes。 A man of great strength of character； Van Aldin already appeared to be his everyday； normal self once more。 After strolling along for a minute or two in silence； the millionaire spoke：
〃I take it； M。 Poirot； that you no longer exercise your profession？〃
〃That is so； Monsieur。 I enjoy the world。〃
〃Yet you are assisting the police in this affair？〃
〃Monsieur； if a doctor walks along the street and an accident happens； does he say； 'I have retired from my profession； I will continue my walk；' when there is someone bleeding to death at his feet？ If I had been already in Nice； and the police had sent to me and asked me to assist them； I should have refused。 But this affair； the good God thrust it upon me。〃
〃You were on the spot；〃 said Van Aldin thoughtfully。 〃You examined the partment； did you not？〃
Poirot nodded。
〃Doubtless you found things that were； shall we say； suggestive to you？〃
〃Perhaps；〃 said Poirot。
〃I hope you see what I am leading up to？〃 said Van Aldin。 〃It seems to me that the case against this te de la Roche is perfectly clear； but I am not a fool。 I have been watching you for this last hour or so； and I realise that for some reason of your own you don't agree with that theory？〃
P