ot know。 He deals with the highest in Europe and with the lowest of the riff…raff of the underworld。〃
Van Aldin was looking at Poirot with suddenly awakened attention。
〃Well？〃 he demanded； a new note in his voice。
〃I ask myself；〃 said Poirot； 〃I； Hercule Poirot …〃 he thumped himself dramatically on the chest … 〃ask myself why is M。 Papopolous suddenly e to Nice？〃
Van Aldin was impressed。 For a moment he had doubted Poirot and suspected the little man of being past his job； a poseur only … now； in a moment； he switched back to his original opinion。 He looked straight at the little detective。
〃I must apologize to you； M。 Poirot。〃
Poirot waved the apology aside with an extravagant gesture。
〃Bah！〃 he cried； 〃all that is of no importance。 Now listen； M。 Van Aldin； I have news for you。〃
The millionaire looked sharply at him； all his interest aroused。
Poirot nodded。
〃It is as I say。 You will be interested。 As you know； M。 Van Aldin； the te de la Roche has been under surveillance ever since his interview with the Juge d'Instruction。 The day after that； during his absence； the Villa Marina was searched by the police。〃
〃Well；〃 said Van Aldin； 〃did they find anything？ I bet they didn't。〃
Poirot made him a little bow。
〃Your acumen is not at fault； M。 Van Aldin。 They found nothing of an incriminating nature。 It was not to be expected that they would。 The te de la Roche； as your expressive idiom