has it； was not born on the preceding day。 He is an astute gentleman with great experience。〃
〃Well； go on；〃 growled Van Aldin。
〃It may be； of course； that the te had nothing of a promising nature to conceal。 But we must not neglect the possibility。 If then； he has something to conceal； where is it？ Not in his house … the police searched thoroughly。 Not on his person； for he knows that he is liable to arrest at any minute。 There remains … his car。 As I say； he was under surveillance。 He was followed on that day to Monte Carlo。 From there he went by road to Mentone； driving himself。 His car is a very powerful one； it outdistanced his pursuers and for about a quarter of an hour they pletely lost sight of him。〃
〃And during that time you think he concealed something by the roadside？〃 asked Van Aldin； keenly interested。
〃By the roadside； no。 ？a n'est pas pratique。 But listen now … me； I have made a little suggestion to M。 Carrege。 He is graciously pleased to approve of it。 In each Bureau de Poste in the neighbourhood it has been seen to that there is someone who knows the te de la Roche by sight。 Because； you see； Messieurs； the best way of hiding a thing is by sending it away by the post。〃
〃Well？〃 demanded Van Aldin； his face was keenly alight with interest and expectation。
〃Well …〃 With a dramatic flourish Poirot drew out from his pocket a loosely wrapped brown paper package from which the string had been removed。
〃During that quar