es not e from the criminal classes。〃
〃A Frenchman？〃
〃Yes。 At least we believe so。 But we are not sure。 He has worked in France； in England； in America。 There was a series of robberies in Switzerland last autumn which were laid at his door。 By all accounts he is a grand seigneur； speaking French and English with equal perfection and his origin is a mystery。〃
Poirot nodded and rose to take his departure。
〃Can you tell us nothing more； M。 Poirot？〃 urged the missary。
〃At present； no；〃 said Poirot； 〃but I may have news awaiting me at my hotel。〃
M。 Carrege looked unfortable。 〃If the Marquis is concerned in this …〃 he began； and then stopped。
〃It upsets our ideas；〃 plained M。 Caux。
〃It does not upset mine；〃 said Poirot。 〃On the contrary； I think it agrees with them very well。 Au revoir； Messieurs； if news of any importance es to me I will municate it to you immediately。〃
He walked back to his hotel with a grave face。 In his absence a telegram had e to him。 Taking a paper…cutter from his pocket； he slit it open。 It was a long telegram； and he read it over twice before slowly putting it in his pocket。 Upstairs； George was awaiting his master。
〃I am fatigued； Georges； much fatigued。 Will you order for me a small pot of chocolate？〃
The chocolate was duly ordered and brought； and George set it at the little table at his master's elbow。 As he was preparing to retire； Poirot spoke：
〃I believe； Georges； that you have a good knowledge of the English aristocracy？〃 murmured Poirot。
George smiled apologetically。
〃I think that I might say that I have； sir；〃 he replied。
〃I suppose that it is your opinion； Georges； that criminals are invariably drawn from the lower orders。〃
〃No