I think, a policeman behind me, but he

can stay in the street. And now, my friend,

what is it ?"

Poirot gallantly relieved her of her fox

furs.

"Why did you put those emeralds in

Professor Liskeard's pocket?" he

demanded. "Ce n'estpasgentille, ce que vous

avez fait la!"

The Countess's eyes opened wide.

"Naturally, it was my our pocket I meant

to put the emeralds!"

"Oh, in my pocket ?"

"Certainly. I cross hurriedly to the table

where you usually sit — but the lights they

are out and I suppose by inadvertence

I put them in the Professor's pocket."

"And why did you wish to put stolen

emeralds in my pocket ?"

"It seemed to me—I had to think

quickly, you understand—the best thing

to do!"

458

"Really, Vera, you are impayable\"

"But, dear friend, consider! The police

arrive, the lights go out (our little private

arrangement for the patrons who must not

be embarrassed) and a hand takes my bag off

the table. I snatch it back, but I feel

through the velvet something hard inside.

I slip my hand in, I find what I know by

touch to be jewels and I comprehend at

once who has put them there I"

"Oh you do ?"

"Of course I do! It is that salaud\ It is

that lizard, that monster, that double-faced,

double-crossing, squirming adder of a

pig's son, Paul Varesco."

"The man who is your partner in Hell ?"

"Yes, yes, it is he who owns the place, who puts up the money. Until now I do not betray him--I can keep faith, me! But

now that he double-crosses me, that he

tries to embroil me with the police --ah!

now I will spit his name out--yes, spit it out!"

"Calm yourself," said Poirot, "and come

with me into the next room."

He opened the door. It was a small room

and seemed for a moment to be completely

filled with DOG. Cerberus had looked

459

outsize even in the spacious premises of Hell. In the tiny dining-room ofPoirot's service flat there seemed nothing else but

Cerberus in the room. There was also, however, the small and odoriferous man.

"We've turned up here according to

plan, guv'nor," said the little man in a

husky voice.

"Dou dou!" screamed the Countess.

"My angel Dou dou!"

Cerberus beat the floor with his tail - but he did not move.

"Let me introduce you to Mr. William

Higgs," shouted Poirot, above the thunder

of Cerberus's tail. "A master in his profession.

During the brouhaha tonight,"

went on Poirot, "Mr. Higgs induced

Cerberus to follow him up out of Hell."

"You induced him?" The Countess

stared incredulously at the small rat-like

figure. "But how ? How ?"

Mr. Higgs dropped his eyes bashfully.

" 'Ardly like to say afore a lady. But

there's things no dogs won't resist. Follow

me anywhere a dog will if I want 'im to.

Of course you understand it won't work the

same way with bitches --no, that's different, that is." 460