"There is a taxi waiting just around the corner. Give me the revolver. we shall not need it now ."
"But if this fellow tries to escape?"
Poirot smiled.
"He will not."
I returned in a minute with the waiting taxi. The scarf had been unwound from the stranger's
face, and I gave a start of surprise.
"He's not a Jap," I ejaculated in a whisper to Poirot.
"Observation was always your strong point, Hastings! Nothing escapes you. N o, the man is not a Jap. He is an Italian."
We got into the taxi, and Poirot gave the driver an address in St. John's Wood. I was by now completely fogged. I did not like to ask Poirot where we are going in front of our captive, and strove in vain to obtain some light upon the proceedings.
We alighted at the door of a small house standing back from the road. A
