re。' I ask you； Monsieur Van Aldin； whether you would be glad or sorry if what I tell you should be the case？〃
Van Aldin stared at him。 〃Naturally I should be glad；〃 he said at last。 〃Is this an exercise in suppositions； Monsieur Poirot； or are there any facts behind it？〃
Poirot looked at the ceiling。
〃There is an off…chance；〃 he said quietly； 〃that it might be the te de la Roche after all。 At least I have succeeded in upsetting his alibi。〃
〃How did you manage that？〃
Poirot shrugged his shoulders modestly。
〃I have my own methods。 The exercise of a little tact； a little cleverness … and the thing is done。〃
〃But the rubies；〃 said Van Aldin； 〃these rubies that the Count had in his possession were false。〃
〃And clearly he would not have mitted the crime except for the rubies。 But you are overlooking one point； Monsieur Van Aldin。 Where the rubies were concerned； someone might have been before him。〃
〃But this is an entirely new theory；〃 cried Knighton。
〃Do you really believe all this rigmarole； Monsieur Poirot？〃 demanded the millionaire。
〃The thing is not proved；〃 said Poirot quietly。 〃It is as yet only a theory； but I tell you this； Monsieur Van Aldin； the facts are worth investigating。 You must e out with me to the south of France and go into the case on the spot。〃
〃You really think this is necessary … that I should go； I mean。〃
〃I thought it would be what you yourself would wish；〃 said Poirot。
There was a hint of reproach in his tone which was not lost upon the other。
〃Yes； yes； of course；〃 he said。 〃When do you wish to start； Monsieur Poirot？〃
〃You are very busy at present； sir；〃 murmured Knighton。
But the millionaire had now made up his mind； and he