t always； sir。 There was great trouble with one of the Duke of Devize's younger sons。 He left Eton under a cloud； and after that he caused great anxiety on several occasions。 The police would not accept the view that it was kleptomania。 A very clever young gentleman； sir； but vicious through and through； if you take my meaning。 His Grace shipped him to Australia； and I hear he was convicted out there under another name。 Very odd； sir； but there it is。 The young gentleman； I need hardly say； was not in want financially。〃
Poirot nodded his head slowly。
〃Love of excitement；〃 he murmured； 〃and a little kink in the brain somewhere。 I wonder now …〃
He drew out the telegram from his pocket and read it again。
〃Then there was Lady Mary Fox's daughter；〃 continued the valet in a mood of reminiscence。 〃Swindled trades…people something shocking； she did。 Very worrying to the best families； if I may say so； and there are many other queer cases I could mention。〃
〃You have a wide experience； Georges；〃 murmured Poirot。 〃I often wonder having lived so exclusively with titled families that you demean yourself by ing as a valet to me。 I put it down to love of excitement on your part。〃
〃Not exactly； sir；〃 said George。 〃I happened to see in Society Snippets that you had been received at Buckingham Palace。 That was just when I was looking for a new situation。 His Majesty； so it said； had been most gracious and friendly and thought very highly of your abilities。〃
〃Ah；〃 said Poirot； 〃one always likes to know the reason for things。〃
He remained in thought for a few moments and then said：
〃You rang up Mademoiselle Papopolous？〃
〃Yes； sir； she and her father will be pleased to dine with you tonight。〃
〃Ah；〃 said Poirot thou