Inspector Japp； Scotland Yard。
Decoded； it was short and to the point。 〃Wire me everything known about man arquis。〃
Chapter 23
A NEW THEORY
It was exactly eleven o'clock when Poirot presented himself at Van Aldin's hotel。 He found the millionaire alone。
〃You are punctual； M。 Poirot；〃 he said； with a smile； as he rose to greet the detective。
〃I am always punctual；〃 said Poirot。 〃The exactitude … always do I observe it。 Without order and method …〃
He broke off。 〃Ah； but it is possible that I have said these things to you before。 Let us e at once to the object of my visit。〃
〃Your little idea？〃
〃Yes； my little idea。〃 Poirot smiled。 〃First of all； Monsieur； I should like to interview once more the maid； Ada Mason。 She is here？〃
〃Yes； she's here。〃
〃Ah！〃
Van Aldin looked at him curiously。 He rang the bell； and a messenger was dispatched to find Mason。
Poirot greeted her with his usual politeness； which was never without effect on that particular class。
〃Good afternoon； Mademoiselle；〃 he said cheerfully。 〃Be seated； will you not； if Monsieur permits。〃
〃Yes； yes； sit down； my girl；〃 said Van Aldin。
〃Thank you； sir；〃 said Mason primly； and she sat down on the extreme edge of a chair。 She looked bonier and more acid than ever。
〃I have e to ask you yet more questions；〃 said Poirot。 〃We must get to the bottom of this affair。 Alan in the train。 You have been shown the te