第36部分(第3/7 頁)

destly；　〃yet；　as　you　say；　in　my　own　way　I　am　a　big　man；　even　as　you　also　are　a　big　man。　I　am　glad　and　happy　to　have　been　of　service　to　you。　Now　I　go　to　repair　the　damages　caused　by　travel。　Alas！　my　excellent　Georges　is　not　with　me。〃

In　the　lounge　of　the　hotel　he　encountered　a　friend　…　the　venerable　Monsieur　Papopolous；　his　daughter　Zia　beside　him。

〃I　thought　you　had　left　Nice；　Monsieur　Poirot；〃　murmured　the　Greek　as　he　took　the　detective's　affectionately　proffered　hand。

〃Business　pelled　me　to　return；　my　dear　Monsieur　Papopolous。〃

〃Business？〃

〃Yes；　business。　And　talking　of　business；　I　hope　your　health　is　better；　my　dear　friend？〃

〃Much　better。　In　fact；　we　are　returning　to　Paris　tomorrow。〃

〃I　am　enchanted　to　hear　such　good　news。　You　have　not　pletely　ruined　the　Greek　ex…Minister；　I　hope。〃

〃I？〃

〃I　understand　you　sold　him　a　very　wonderful　ruby　which　…　strictly　entre　nous　…　is　being　worn　by　Mademoiselle　Mirelle；　the　dancer？〃

〃Yes；〃　murmured　Monsieur　Papopolous；　〃yes；　that　is　so。〃

〃A　ruby　not　unlike　the　famous　'Heart　of　Fire'？〃

〃It　has　points　of　resemblance；　certainly；〃　said　the　Greek　casually。

〃You　have　a　wonderful　hand　with　jewels；　Monsieur　Papopolous。　I　congratulate　you。　Mademoiselle　Zia；　I　am　desolate　that　you　are　returning　to　Paris　so　speedily。　I　had　hoped　to　see　some　more　of　you　now　that　my　business　is　acplished。〃

〃Would　one　be　indiscreet　if　one　asked　what　that　business　was？〃　asked