FOREWORD 1

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 658.

The flat of Hercule Poirot was furnished in a modern style. Its armchairs were square and gleamed with chromium.

On one of these chairs sat Hercule Poirot —in the mid­dle of the chair. Opposite him, in another chair, sat Dr. Burton. Dr. Burton was asking a question.

"Tell me," he said. "Why Hercule?"

"You mean, my Christian name? You mean to say that
in physical appearance I do not resemble a Hercules?"

Dr. Burton glanced at Hercule Poirot, at his small neat figure in striped trousers, a black jacket and a bow tie.

"Frankly, Poirot," said Dr. Burton, "you don't! I think," he added, "that you've never had much time to study the Classics?"

"That is so."

"It's a pity. You've missed a lot. If I could I'd make everyone study the Classics. Where else can we find such richness of the spirit?"

"Alas, mon ami, it's too late for me now. I'm thinking

of retiring."

"You won't."

"But I assure you..."

"You won't be able to do it. You're too interested in

your work."

"No, indeed-I make all the arrangements. A few more cases—specially selected ones—not, you understand, every­thing that presents itself—just problems that have a personal appeal."*

Dr. Burton grinned.

"It always will be like this. Just a case or two, just one case more—and so on. Your Labours aren't the Labours of Hercules.* Yours arc labours of love. You'll see that I am right. I bet that in twelve months' time you'll still be here. The Prima Donna's farewell performance is not for you,

Poirot."

When Dr. Burton left, Hercule Poirot sat down again slowly like a man in a dream and murmured:

"The Labours of Hercules... But yes, that's an idea... What had Dr. Burton said as he left: "Yours are notthe Labours of Hercules..." Ah, but there he was wrong.There should be, once again, the Labours of Hercules—a modern Hercules. In the period before his final retirement hewould accept twelve cases, no more, no less. And those 12cases should be selected with special reference* to the 12 labours of ancient Hercules. Yes, that would not only be amusing, it would be artistic, it would be unique."

He would not be in a hurry. He would wait for the case that should be the first of his self-imposed Labours.