THE BIG FOUR 209

But the man I will still refer to as Poirot had turned to me encouragingly.

"Say it if you will. It makes no matter now. Thelrick has succeeded."

"This is Achille Poirot," I said slowly. "Hercule Poirot's twin brother."

"Impossible," said Ryland sharply, but he was

shaken.

"Hercute's plan has succeeded to a marvel," said Achille placidly.

Number Four leapt forward, his voice harsh and

menacing.

"Succeeded, has it?" he snarled. "Do you realise that before many minutes have passed you will be dead-dead?"

"Yes," said Achille Poirot gravely. "I realise that. It is you who do not realise that a man may be willing to

purchase success by his life. There were men who laid

down their lives for their country in the war. I am prepared to lay down mine in the same way for the world."

It struck me just then that although perfectly willing

to lay down my life I might have been consulted in the

matter. Then I remembered how Poirot had urged me to

stay behind, and I felt appeased.

"And in what way will your laying down your life

benefit the world?" asked Ryland sardonically.

"I see that you do not perceive the true inwardness of Hercule's plan. To begin with, your place of retreat was known some months ago, and practically all the visitors, hotel assistants and others are detectives or Secret Service men. A cordon has been drawn round the mountain.

You may have more than one means of egress, but even

so you cannot escape. Poirot himself is directing the

operations outside. My boots were smeared with a preparation of aniseed to-night, before I came down to the

210 Agatha Christie

terrace in my brother's place. Hounds are following the

trail. It will lead them infallibly to the rock in the Felsenlabyrynth where the entrance is situated. You see, do

what you will to us, the net is drawn tightly round you. You cannot escape."

Madame Olivier laughed suddenly.

"You are wrong. There is one way we can escape,

and, like Samson of old, destroy our enemies at the

same time. What do you say, my friends?"

Ryland was staring at Achille Poirot.

"Suppose he's lying," he said hoarsely.

The other shrugged his shoulders.

"In an hour it will be dawn. Then you can see for

yourself the truth of my words. Already they should

have traced me to the entrance in the Felsenlabyrynth." Even as he spoke, there was a far off reverberation,

and a man ran in shouting incoherently. Ryland sprang

up and went out. Madame Olivier moved to the end of

the room and opened a door that I had not noticed. Inside I caught a glimpse of a perfectly equipped laboratory

which reminded me of the one in Paris. Number

Four also sprang up and went out. He returned with

Poirot's revolver which he gave to the countess.

"There is no danger of their escaping," he said grimly. "But still you had better have this."