"Everything you ordered has been carried out. The

governments of Italy, France and England are behind

you, and are all working harmoniously together."

"It is, in fact, a new Entente," observed Poirot dryly.

"I am glad that Desjardeaux is convinced at last. Eh bien, then, we will start--or rather, I will start. You, Hastings, will remain here--yes, I pray of you. In verity, my friend. I am serious."

I believed him, but it was not likely that I should consent to being left behind in that fashion. Our argument

was short but decisive.

It was not until we were in the train, speeding towards

Paris that he admitted that he was secretly glad of my

decision.

"For you have a part to play, Hastings. An important part! Without you, I might well fail. Nevertheless, I felt that it was my duty to urge you to remain behind."

"There is danger, then?"

"Mon ami, where there is the Big Four there is always danger."

On arrival in Paris, we drove across to the Gare de

I'Est, and Poirot at last announced our destination. We

were bound for Bolzano and Italian Tyrol.

198 Agatha Christie

During Harvey's absence from our carriage I took the

opportunity of asking Poirot why he had said that the

discovery of the rendezvous was my work.

"Because it was, my friend. How Ingles managed to

get hold of the information I do not know, but he did,

and he sent it to us by his servant. We are bound, mon

ami, for Karersee, the new Italian name for which is

Lago di Carezza. You see now where your 'Cara Zia'

comes in and also your 'Carrozza' and 'Largo'--the

Handel was supplied by your own imagination. Possibly

some reference to the information coming from the hand' of M. Ingles started the train of association."

"Karersee?" I queried. "I never heard of it."

"I always tell you that the English know no geography. But as a matter of fact it is a well-known and

very beautiful summer resort, four thousand feet up, in

the heart of the Dolomites."

"And it is in this out of the way spot that the Big Four have their rendezvous?"

"Say rather their headquarters. The signal has been given, and it is their intention to disappear from the

world and issue orders from their mountain fastness. I

have made the inquiries--a lot of quarrying of stone

and mineral deposits is done there, and the company,

apparently a small Italian firm, is in reality controlled by Abe Ryland. I am prepared to swear that a vast subterranean dwelling has been hollowed out in the very

heart of the mountain, secret and inaccessible. From

there the leaders of the organisation will issue by wireless their orders to their followers who are numbered by

thousands in every country. And from that crag in the

Dolomites the dictators of the world will emerge. That is to say--they would emerge were it not for Hercule

Poirot."

"Do you seriously believe all this, Poirot? What