The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan: A Hercule Poirot Short Story. Agatha Christie

times, but he heeds it not. Thirdly, even the waiters are distrait; and to make a waiter distrait –’ Poirot shook his head with an air of finality. ‘The affair must indeed be of the first magnitude. Ah, it is as I thought! Here come the police.’

      Two men had just entered the hotel – one in uniform, the other in plain clothes. They spoke to a page, and were immediately ushered upstairs. A few minutes later, the same boy descended and came up to where we were sitting.

      ‘Mr Opalsen’s compliments, and would you step upstairs?’

      Poirot sprang nimbly to his feet. One would have said that he awaited the summons. I followed with no less alacrity.