Poirot and his friend, Captain Hastings, find themselves investigating the murder of Count Foscatini, who was found in his flat. When the police get there, they suspect that the dead nobleman was being blackmailed, and Poirot's antenna picks that information. The suspicion mounts when the Italian Embassy officials deny knowing him. Poirot begins to doubt the veracity of their claims, but also concludes that others too are lying.