Hercule Poirot's Autobiography

'Hercule Poirot' sent this note to Agatha Christie's American publishers in 1936...

I began work as a member of the detective force in Brussels on the Abercrombie Forgery Case in 1904 and for many years was proud to be a member of the detective service in my native Belgium. Since the closing of the war, I have, as you know, been in London, having rooms for some time with mon vieux ami Hastings ...

I set up as a private detective in London ... In June of last year I installed myself in one of the newest types of service flats in London, Whitehaven Mansions, which particular building I chose entirely on account of its strictly geometric appearance and proportion ...

I have my little prejudices. Anything in the least crooked or disorderly is a torment to me. In my bookcase, I arrange the tallest book at the end; then the next tallest, and so on. My medicine bottles are placed in a neatly graduated row. If your necktie were not correct, I should find it irresistible not to make it straight for you ...

Order and method are my gods. For my breakfast, I have only toast which is cut into neat little squares. The eggs - there must be two - they must be identical in size ...

I am five feet four inches high. My head, it is egg-shaped and I carry it a little to one side, the left. My eyes, I am told, shine green when I am excited. My boots are a neat patent leather, smart and shiny. My stick is embossed with a gold band. My watch is large and keeps the time exactly. My moustache is the finest in all London ...

I own I have a certain disdain for tangible evidence. I prefer just to sit here and think - what mon ami Hastings has called 'employing the little grey cells'. I arrange the facts neatly each in its properly place ...