ter of an hour's interval； our good gentleman mailed this。〃
〃The address？〃 asked the other sharply。
Poirot nodded his head。
〃Might have told us something； but unfortunately it does not。 The package was addressed to one of these little newspaper shops in Paris where letters and parcels are kept until called for on payment of a small mission。〃
〃Yes； but what is inside？〃 demanded Van Aldin impatiently。
Poirot unwrapped the brown paper and disclosed a square cardboard box。 He looked round him。
〃It is a good moment；〃 he said quietly。 〃All eyes are on the tennis。 Look； Monsieur！〃
He lifted the lid of the box for the fraction of a second。 An exclamation of utter astonishment came from the millionaire。 His face turned as white as chalk。
〃My God！〃 he breathed； 〃the rubies。〃
He sat for a minute as though dazed。 Poirot restored the box to his pocket。 Then suddenly the millionaire seemed to e out of his trance； he leaned across to Poirot and wrung his hand so heartily that the little man winced with pain。
〃This is great；〃 said Van Aldin。 〃Great！ You are the goods； M。 Poirot。 Once and for all； you are the goods。〃
〃It is nothing；〃 said Poirot modestly。 〃Order； method； being prepared for eventualities beforehand … that is all there is to it。〃
〃And now； I suppose； the te de la Roche has been arrested？〃 continued Van Aldin eagerly。
〃No；〃 said Poirot。
A look of utter astonishment came over Van Ald