to keep it。〃
〃And yet；〃 murmured Poirot； 〃it was an indiscretion the te might have foreseen。〃
〃You mean？〃
〃I mean we are all agreed on one point； and that is that the te de la Roche knows one subject à fond： Women。 How was it that； knowing women as he does； he did not foresee that Madame would have kept that letter？〃
〃Yes … yes；〃 said the Examining Magistrate doubtfully； 〃there is something in what you say。 But at such times； you understand； a man is not master of himself。 He does not reason calmly。 Mon Dieu！〃 he added； with feeling； 〃if our criminals kept their heads and acted with intelligence； how should we capture them？〃
Poirot smiled to himself。
〃It seems to me a clear case；〃 said the other； 〃but a difficult one to prove。 He is a slippery customer； and unless the maid can identify him …〃
〃Which is most unlikely；〃 said Poirot。
〃True； true。〃 The Examining Magistrate rubbed his chin。 〃It is going to be difficult。〃
〃If he did indeed mit the crime …〃 began Poirot。 M。 Caux interrupted。
〃If … you say if？〃
〃Yes； Monsieur le Juge； I say if。〃
The other looked at him sharply。 〃You are right；〃 he said at last； 〃we go too fast。 It is possible that the te may have an alibi。 Then we should look foolish。〃
〃Ah； ？a par exemple；〃 replied Poirot； 〃that is of no importance whatever。 Naturally； if he mitted the crime he will have an alibi。 A man with the te's experience does not neglect to take precauti