'By Jove Poirot,' I exclaimed, 'did you see that young goddess?'

Poirot raised his eyebrows.

'Comment?' he murmured. 'Already you have seen a goddess!'

'But, hang it all, wasn't she?'

'Possibly, I did not remark the fact.'

'Surely you noticed her?'

'Mon ami, two people rarely see the same thing. You, for instance, saw a goddess. I-' He hesitated.

'Yes?'

'I saw only a girl with anxious eyes,' said Poirot gravely.

But at that moment we drew up at a big green gate, and, simultaneously, we both uttered an exclamation. Before it stood an imposing sergent de ville. He held up his hand to bar our way.

'You cannot pass, messieurs.'

'But we wish to see Mr. Renauld,' I cried. 'We have an appointment. This is his villa, isn't it?'

'Yes, monsieur, but-'

Poirot leaned forward.

'But what?'

'Monsieur Renauld was murdered this morning.'

Chapter 3. At the Villa Genevieve

IN a moment Poirot had leapt from the car, his eyes blazing with excitement.

'What is that you say? Murdered? When? How?'

The sergent de ville drew himself up. 'I cannot answer any questions, monsieur.'

'True. I comprehend.' Poirot reflected for a minute. 'The Commissary of Police, he is without doubt within?'

'Yes, monsieur.'

Poirot took out a card, and scribbled a few words on it.

'Voila! Will you have the goodness to see that this card is sent in to the commissary at once?'

The man took it and, turning his head over his shoulder, whistled. In a few seconds a comrade joined him, and was handed Poirot's message. There was a wait of some minutes, and then a short, stout man with a huge moustache came bustling down to the gate. The sergent de ville saluted and stood aside.