V. The Million Dollar Bond Robbery

           “Whatanumberofbondrobberiestherehavebeenlately!”Iobservedonemorning,layingasidethenewspaper.“Poirot,letusforsakethescienceofdetection,andtaketocrimeinstead!”

           “Youareonthe—howdoyousayit?—get-rich-quicktack,eh,monami?”

           “Well,lookatthislastcoup,themilliondollars’worthofLibertyBondswhichtheLondonandScottishBankweresendingtoNewYork,andwhichdisappearedinsucharemarkablemanneronboardtheOlympia.”

           “Ifitwerenotforthemaldemer,andthedifficultyofpractisingthesoexcellentmethodofLaverguierforalongertimethanthefewhoursofcrossingthechannel,Ishoulddelighttovoyagemyselfononeofthesebigliners,”murmuredPoirotdreamily.

           “Yes,indeed,”Isaidenthusiastically.“Someofthemmustbeperfectpalaces;theswimming-baths,thelounges,therestaurant,thepalmcourts—really,itmustbehardtobelievethatoneisonthesea.”

           “Me,IalwaysknowwhenIamonthesea,”saidPoirotsadly.“Andallthosebagatellesthatyouenumerate,theysaynothingtome;but,myfriend,considerforamomentthegeniusesthattravelasitwereincognito!Onboardthesefloatingpalaces,asyousojustlycallthem,onewouldmeettheélite,thehautenoblesseofthecriminalworld!”

           Ilaughed.

           “Sothat’sthewayyourenthusiasmruns!YouwouldhavelikedtocrossswordswiththemanwhosneakedtheLibertyBonds?”

           Thelandladyinterruptedus.

           “Ayoungladyaswantstoseeyou,Mr.Poirot.Here’shercard.