up。〃
His eyes came gently round to the girl。 She had pushed her cup and plate aside； and with both elbows on the table and her chin resting on her hands was listening eagerly。 Still keeping an eye on her he went on：
〃I am in Paris at the time。 You send for me。 You place yourself in my hands。 If I restore to you that … article； you say I shall earn your undying gratitude。 Eh bien！ I did restore it to you。〃
A long sigh came from M。 Papopolous。
〃It was the most unpleasant moment of my career；〃 he murmured。
〃Seventeen years is a long time；〃 said Poirot thoughtfully； 〃but I believe that I am right in saying； Monsieur； that your race does not forget。〃
〃A Greek？〃 murmured Papopolous； with an ironical smile。
〃It was not as a Greek I meant；〃 said Poirot。
There was a silence； and then the old man drew himself up proudly。
〃You are right； M。 Poirot；〃 he said quietly。 〃I am a Jew。 And； as you say； our race does not forget。〃
〃You will aid me then？〃
〃As regards the jewels； Monsieur； I can do nothing。〃
The old man； as Poirot had done just now； picked his words carefully。
〃I know nothing。 I have heard nothing； but I can perhaps do you a good turn … that is if you are interested in racing。〃
〃Under certain circumstances I might be；〃 said Poirot； eyeing him steadily。
〃There is a horse running at Longchamps that would； I think； repay attention。 I cannot say for certain； you understand； thi