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。〃
〃Not 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 excitem