u happened to mention that you had once mistaken the te for your son…in…law。 That told me that they were of the same height and build； and alike in colouring。 It put some curious ideas in my head。 The maid had only been with your daughter a short time。 It was unlikely that she would know Mr Kettering well by sight； since he had not been living in Curzon Street； also the man was careful to keep his face turned away。〃
〃You believe he … murdered her；〃 said Van Aldin hoarsely。
Poirot raised a hand quickly。
〃No； no； I did not say that … but it is a possibility … a very strong possibility。 He was in a tight corner； a very tight corner； threatened with ruin。 This was the one way out。〃
〃But why take the jewels？〃
〃To make the crime appear an ordinary one mitted by train robbers。 Otherwise suspicion might have fallen on him straight away。〃
〃If that is so； what has he done with the rubies？〃
〃That remains to be seen。 There are several possibilities。 There is a man in Nice who may be able to help； the man I pointed out at the tennis。〃
He rose to his feet and Van Aldin rose also and laid his hand on the little man's shoulder。
His voice when he spoke was harsh with emotion。
〃Find Ruth's murderer for me；〃 he said； 〃that is all I ask。〃
Poirot drew himself up。
〃Leave it in the hands of Hercule Poirot；〃 he said superbly； 〃have no fears。 I will discover the truth。〃
He brushed a speck of fluff from his