“Odd,” said Poirot, “how one remembers some things⁠—and forgets others.”

He leant forward and struck the table a blow with his fist; his eyes flashed with anger.

“Yes, yes, it is as I say. You tell your lies and you think nobody knows. But there are two people who know. Yes⁠—two people. One is le bon Dieu ⁠—”

He raised a hand to heaven, and then settling himself back in his chair and shutting his eyelids, he murmured comfortably:

“And the other is Hercule Poirot.”

“I assure you, Monsieur, you are completely mistaken. Monsieur le Comte left Paris on Monday night⁠—”

504