“You were interested in him, eh? It was that that took you to the keyhole.”

Zia nodded.

“Yes, yes. I was curious. One had heard so much⁠—he is not the ordinary thief⁠—he is more like a figure of history or romance.”

“Yes,” said Poirot thoughtfully; “yes, perhaps so.”

“But it is not this that I meant to tell you,” said Zia. “It was just one other little fact that I thought might be⁠—well⁠—useful to you.”

“Yes?” said Poirot encouragingly.

“The rubies, as I say, were handed over to my father here at Nice. I did not see the person who handed them over, but⁠—”

“Yes?”