riginal arrangement； but by Madame's wish it was changed。 I was to meet her at Hyeres。〃
〃You did not meet her on the train at the Gare de Lyon on the evening of the 14th？〃
〃On the contrary； I arrived in Nice on the morning of that day； so what you suggest is impossible。〃
〃Quite so； quite so；〃 said M。 Carrege。 〃As a matter of fact； you would perhaps give me an account of your movements during the evening and night of the 14th。〃
The Count reflected for a minute。
〃I dined in Monte Carlo at the Café de Paris。 Afterwards I went to the Le Sporting。 I won a few thousand francs；〃 he shrugged his shoulders。 〃I returned home at perhaps one o'clock。〃
〃Pardon me； Monsieur； but how did you return home？〃
〃In my own two…seater car。〃
〃No one was with you？〃
〃No one。〃
〃You could produce witnesses in support of this statement？〃
〃Doubtless many of my friends saw me there that evening。 I dined alone。〃
〃Your servant admitted you on your return to your villa？〃
〃I let myself in with my own latchkey。〃
〃Ah！〃 murmured the Magistrate。
Again he struck the bell on the table with his hand。 The door opened； and a messenger appeared。
〃Bring in the maid； Mason；〃 said M。 Carrege。
〃Very good； Monsieur le Juge。〃
Ada Mason was brought in。
〃Will you be so good； Mademoiselle； as to look at this gentleman。 To the best of your ability was it he who entered your mistress's partment in Paris？〃
The woman looked long and searchingly at the Count； who was； Poirot fancied； rather uneasy under this scrutiny。
〃I could not say； sir； I am sure；〃 said Mason at last。 〃It might be and again it might not。 Seeing as how I only saw his back； it's hard to say。 I rather think it was t