“Allow me, sir,” said Parker, and sprang forward to assist him. He deposited the articles neatly on a chair by the door.

Poirot watched him with approval.

“Thank you, my good Parker,” he said. “Take a seat, will you not? What I have to say may take some time.”

Parker seated himself with an apologetic bend of the head.

“Now what do you think I asked you to come here for this morning⁠—eh?”

Parker coughed. “I understood, sir, that you wished to ask me a few questions about my late master⁠—private like.”

“ Précisément ,” said Poirot, beaming. “Have you made many experiments in blackmail?”