Hercule Poirot said:

"Ah, the manager. I think first we will

consult the waiter --Gustave --alias Inspector

Drouet. But yes --the waiter

Gustave is really a detective."

Schwartz stared at him.

"So that's why they did it!"

"That is why who did what ?"

"This bunch of crooks got to you

second on the list. They'd already carved

up Gustave."

160

^What?" "Come with me. The doc's busy on him

now."

Drouet's room was a small one on the

top floor. Dr. Lutz, in a dressing-gown, was busy bandaging the injured man's face. He turned his head as they entered.

"Ah! It is you, Mr. Schwartz? A nasty

business, this. What butchers! What inhuman

monsters I"

Drouet lay still, moaning faintly.

Schwartz asked: "Is he in danger ?"

"He will not die if that is what you mean.

But he must not speak--there must be

no excitement. I have dressed the wounds

--there will be no risk of septicaemia."

The three men left the room together.

Schwartz said to Poirot:

"Did you say Gustave was a police

officer ?"

Hercule Poirot nodded.

"But what was he doing up at Rochers

Neiges ?"

"He was engaged in tracking down a

very dangerous criminal."

In a few words Poirot explained the

situation.

Dr.Lutzsaid:

161

"Marrascaud ? I read about the case in

the paper. I should much like to meet

that man. There is some deep abnormality

there! I should like to know the particulars

of his childhood."

"For myself," said Hercule Poirot, cc! should like to know exactly where he is at this minute."

Schwartzsaid:

"Isn't he one of the three we locked in

the cupboard ?"

Poirot said in a dissatisfied voice:

"It is possible --yes, but me, I am not

sure.... I have an idea --"

He broke off, staring down at the carpet.

It was of a light buff colour and there were

marks on it of a deep rusty brown.

Hercule Poirot said:

"Footsteps--footsteps that have trodden, I think, in blood and they lead from the unused wing of the hotel. Come --we

must be quick!"

They followed him, through a swing

door and along a dim, dusty corridor.

They turned the corner of it, still following

the marks on the carpet until the tracks

led them to a half-open doorway.

Poirot pushed the door open and entered.

162

He uttered a sharp, horrified exclamation.

The room was a bedroom. The bed had

been slept in and there was a tray of food

on the table.

In the middle of the floor lay the body

of a man. He was of just over middle height

and he had been attacked with savage

and unbelievable ferocity. There were a

dozen wounds on his arms and chest and

his head and face had been battered almost

to a pulp.

Schwartz gave a half-stifled exclamation

and turned away looking as though he

might be sick.

Dr. Lutz uttered a horrified exclamation

in German.

Schwartz said faintly:

"Who is this guy ? Does anyone know ?"