X. The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman

           PoirotandIhadmanyfriendsandacquaintancesofaninformalnature.AmongstthesewastobenumberedDr.Hawker,anearneighbourofours,andamemberofthemedicalprofession.Itwasthegenialdoctor’shabittodropinsometimesofaneveningandhaveachatwithPoirot,ofwhosegeniushewasanardentadmirer.Thedoctorhimself,frankandunsuspicioustothelastdegree,admiredthetalentssofarremovedfromhisown.

           OnoneparticulareveninginearlyJune,hearrivedabouthalf-pasteightandsettleddowntoacomfortablediscussiononthecheerytopicoftheprevalenceofarsenicalpoisoningincrimes.Itmusthavebeenaboutaquarterofanhourlaterwhenthedoorofoursitting-roomflewopen,andadistractedfemaleprecipitatedherselfintotheroom.

           “Oh,doctor,you’rewanted!Suchaterriblevoice.Itgavemeaturn,itdidindeed.”

           IrecognizedinournewvisitorDr.Hawker’shousekeeper,MissRider.Thedoctorwasabachelor,andlivedinagloomyoldhouseafewstreetsaway.TheusuallyplacidMissRiderwasnowinastateborderingonincoherence.

           “Whatterriblevoice?Whoisit,andwhat’sthetrouble?”

           “Itwasthetelephone,doctor.Iansweredit—andavoicespoke.‘Help,’itsaid.‘Doctor—help.They’vekilledme!’Thenitsortoftailedaway.‘Who’sspeaking?’Isaid.‘Who’sspeaking?’ThenIgotareply,justawhisper,itseemed,‘Foscatine’—somethinglikethat—‘Regent’sCourt.’”

           Thedoctorutteredanexclamation.

           “CountFoscatini.HehasaflatinRegent’sCourt.Imustgoatonce.