almost flew at my companion.

"Where? Where? You shall tell me. Where?"

"Remember your bargain, madame."

"Yes, yes, I will trust you. Quick, before they come back."

Catching him by the hand, she drew him quickly and

silently out of the room. I followed. From the outer

room she led us into the tunnel by which we had first

entered, but a short way along this forked, and she

turned off to the right. Again and again the passage

divided, but she led us on, never faltering or seeming to doubt her way, and with increasing speed.

THE BIG FOUR

213

"If only we are in time," she panted. "We must be out in the open before the explosion occurs."

Still we went on. I understood that this tunnel led

right through the mountain and that we should finally

emerge on the other side, facing a different valley. The sweat streamed down my face, but I raced on.

And then, far away, I saw a gleam of daylight. Nearer

and nearer. I saw green bushes growing. We forced

them aside, pushed our way through. We were in the

open again, with the faint light of dawn making everything rosy.

Poirot's cordon was a reality. Even as we emerged,

three men fell upon us, but released us again with a cry of astonishment.

"Quick," cried my companion. "Quick--there is no time to lose--"

But he was not destined to finish. The earth shook

and trembled under our feet, there was a terrific roar

and the whole mountain seemed to dissolve. We were

flung headlong through the air.

I came to myself at last. I was in a strange bed and a

strange room. Some one was sitting by the window. He

turned and came and stood by me.

It was Achille Poirot--or, stay, was it-The well-known ironical voice dispelled any doubts I might have had.

"But yes, my friend, it is I. Brother Achille has gone home again--to the land of myths. It was I all the time. It is not only Number Four who can act a part. Belladona in the eyes, the sacrifice of the moustaches, and a

real scar the inflicting of which caused me much pain

two months ago--but I could not risk a fake beneath the

eagle eyes of Number Four. And the final touch, your

214 Agatha Christie

own knowledge and belief that there was such a person

as Achille Poirot! It was invaluable, the assistance you rendered me, half the success of the coup is due to you!

The whole crux of the affair was to make them believe

that Hercule Poirot was still at large directing operations. Otherwise, everything was true, the aniseed, the

cordon, etc."

"But why not really send a substitute?"

"And let you go into danger without me by your side?

You have a pretty idea of me there! Besides, I always

had a hope of finding a way out through the countess."

"How on earth did you manage to convince her? It