which Number Four had previously assumed. Indeed,

had it not been for his little trick with the bread, of

which he was evidently quite unaware, I would have

sworn readily enough that the man sitting there was

some one whom I had never seen before.

"He has recognised you," I murmured. "You should not have come down."

"My excellent Hastings, I have feigned death for

three months for this one purpose."

"To startle Number Four?"

"To startle him at a moment when he must act

quickly or not at all. And we have this great advantage--he does not know that we recognise him. He

thinks that he is safe in his new disguise. How I bless

Flossie Monro for telling us of that little habit of his."

"What will happen now?" I asked.

"What can happen? He recognises the only man he

fears, miraculously resurrected from the dead, at the

very minute when the plans of the Big Four are in the

balance. Madame Olivier and Abe Ryland lunched here

to-day, and it is thought that they went to Cortina. Only we know that they have retired to their hiding place.

THE BIG FOUR 203

How much do we know? That is what Number Four is

asking himself at this minute. He dare take no risks. I

must be suppressed at all costs. Eh bien, let him try to suppress Hercule Poirot! I shall be ready for him." As he finished speaking, the man at the next table got

up and went out.

"He has gone to make his little arrangements," said Poirot placidly. "Shall we have our coffee on the terrace, my friend? It would be pleasanter, I think. I will

just go up and get a coat."

I went out on to the terrace, a little disturbed in mind. Poirot's assurance did not quite content me. However,

so long as we were on our guard, nothing could happen

to us. I resolved to keep thoroughly on the alert.

It was quite five minutes before Poirot joined me.

With his usual precautions against cold, he was muffled

up to the ears. He sat down beside me and sipped his

coffee appreciatively.

"Only in England is the coffee so atrocious," he remarked. "On the continent they understand how important it is for the digestion that it should be properly

made."

As he finished speaking, the man from the next table

suddenly appeared on the terrace. Without any hesitation, he came over and drew up a third chair to our

table.

"You do not mind my joining you, I hope," he said in English.

"Not at all, monsieur," said Poirot.

I felt very uneasy. It is true that we were on the terrace of the hotel, with people all round us, but nevertheless I was not satisfied. I sensed the presence of danger.

Meanwhile Number Four chatted away in a perfectly

natural manner. It seemed impossible to believe that he

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I could not have been unconscious more than a minute.