at him cunningly, "is a very small matter."

Hercule Poirot shrugged his shoulders.

He said:

"I do not bargain. I am an expert. For

the services of an expert you have to

pay."

Sir Joseph said frankly:

"I know you're a tip-top man at this sort

of thing. I made inquiries and I was told

that you were the best man available. I

mean to get to the bottom of this business

and I don't grudge the expense. That's

why I got you to come here."

"You were fortunate," said Hercule

Poirot.

Sir Joseph said "Eh ?" again.

"Exceedingly fortunate," said Hercule

Poirot firmly. "I am, I may say so without

undue modesty, at the apex of my career.

1 17

Very shortly I intend to retire --to live in

the country, to travel occasionally to see the

world--also, it may be, to cultivate my

garden--with particular attention to improving

the strain of vegetable marrows.

Magnificent vegetables--but they lack

flavour. That, however, is not the point. I

wished merely to explain that before

retiring I had imposed upon myself a

certain task. I have decided to accept twelve

cases --no more, no less. A self-imposed labours of Hercules1 if I may so describe it. Your case. Sir Joseph, is the first of the

twelve. I was attracted to it,33 he sighed, "by its striking unimportance."

"Importance ?" said Sir Joseph.

"C/wimportance was what I said. I have

been called in for varying causes --to

investigate murders, unexplained deaths, robberies, thefts of jewellery. This is the first time that I have been asked to turn my

talents to elucidate the kidnapping of a

Pekinese dog."

Sir Joseph grunted. He said:

"You surprise me! I should have said

you'd have had no end of women pestering

you about their pet dogs."

"That, certainly. But it is the first time

18

that I am summoned by the husband in the

case"

Sir Joseph's little eyes narrowed appreciatively.

He said:

"I begin to see why they recommended

you to me. You're a shrewd fellow, Mr.

Poirot."

Poirot murmured:

"If you will now tell me the facts of the

case. The dog disappeared, when ?"

"Exactly a week ago."

"And your wife is by now quite frantic, I presume ?" Sir Joseph stared. He said:

"You don't understand. The dog has

been returned."

"Returned? Then, permit me to ask, where do / enter the matter ?" Sir Joseph went crimson in the face.

"Because I'm damned if I'll be swindled!

Now then, Mr. Poirot, I'm going to tell you

the whole thing. The dog was stolen a week

ago --nipped in Kensington Gardens

where he was out with my wife's companion.

The next day my wife got a demand

for two hundred pounds. I ask you --two

hundred pounds! For a damned yapping

i9

little brute that's always getting under your

feet anyway!"

Poirot murmured:

"You did not approve of paying such a

sum, naturally ?"

"Of course I didn't — or wouldn't have

if I'd known anything about it! Milly (my