390

"On account of its intrinsic value or for

other reasons ?"

"Its intrinsic value is certainly considerable.

The workmanship is exquisite

(it is said to have been made by Benvenuto

Cellini). The design represents a tree round

which a jewelled serpent is coiled and the

apples on the tree are formed of very

beautiful emeralds.33

Poirot murmured with an apparent

quickening of interest:

"Apples r9

"The emeralds are particularly fine, so

are the rubies in the serpent, but of course

the real value of the cup is its historical

associations. It was put up for sale by the

Marchese di San Veratrino in 1929. Collectors

bid against each other and I secured

it finally for a sum equalling (at the then

rate of exchange) thirty thousand pounds."

Poirot raised his eyebrows. He murmured:

"Indeed a princely sum! The Marchese

di San Veratrino was fortunate.55

Emery Power said:

"When I really want a thing, I am willing

to pay for it, M. Poirot."

Hercule Poirot said softly:

LOH26 39^

"You have no doubt heard the Spanish

proverb: 'Take what you want — and pay

for it, says God.' "

For a moment the financier frowned —

a swift light of anger showed in his eyes.

He said coldly:

"You are by way of being a philosopher,

M. Poirot."

"I have arrived at the age of reflection,

Monsieur."

"Doubtless. But it is not reflection that

will restore my goblet to me."

"You think not ?"

"I fancy action will be necessary."

Hercule Poirot nodded placidly.

"A lot of people make the same mistake.

But I demand your pardon, Mr. Power, we

have digressed from the matter in hand.

You were saying that you had bought the

cup from the Marchese di San Veratrino ?"

"Exactly. What I have now to tell you is

that it was stolen before it actually came

into my possession."

"How did that happen ?"

"The Marchese's Palace was broken

into on the night of the sale and eight or

ten pieces of considerable value were

stolen, including the goblet."

392

"What was done in the matter ?"

Power shrugged his shoulders.

"The police, of course, took the matter

in hand. The robbery was recognised to be

the work of a well-known international

gang of thieves. Two of their number, a

Frenchman called Dublay and an Italian

called Riccovetti, were caught and tried —

some of the stolen goods were found in their

possession.33

"But not the Borgia goblet ?"

"But not the Borgia goblet. There were,

as far as the police could ascertain, three

men actually engaged in the robbery—

the two I have just mentioned and a third,

an Irishman named Patrick Casey. This

last was an expert cat burglar. It was he

who is said to have actually stolen the

things. Dublay was the brains of the group

and planned their coups, Riccovetti drove

the car and waited below for the goods to

be lowered down to him."

"And the stolen goods ? Were they split