meaning could lie behind those simple words. The man

was a Chinaman, not an Italian, why should he speak in

Italian? Surely, if he were indeed Ingles's servant, he

must know English? The whole thing was profoundly

mystifying. I puzzled over it all the way home. Oh, if

only Poirot had been there to solve the problem with his lightning ingenuity!

I let myself in with my latch-key and went slowly up

to my room. A letter was lying on the table, and I tore it open carelessly enough. But in a minute I stood rooted

to the ground whilst I read.

It was a communication from a firm of solicitors.

"dear sir (it ran),--As instructed by our late

client, M. Hercule Poirot, we forward you the

enclosed letter. This letter was placed in our hands

a week before his death, with instructions that in

the event of his demise, it should be sent to you at a

certain date after his death.

"Yours faithfully, etc."

I turned the enclosed missive over and over. It was

undoubtedly from Poirot. I knew that familiar writing

only too well. With a heavy heart, yet a certain eagerness, I tore it open.

"mon cher ami (it began),--When you receive

this I shall be no more. Do not shed tears about me,

but follow my orders. Immediately upon receipt of

this, return to South America. Do not be pigheaded

about this. It is not for sentimental reasons

that I bid you undertake the journey. // is necessary. It is part of the plan of Hercule Poirot! To say more is unnecessary, to any one who has the acute

intelligence of my friend Hastings.

"A bos the Big Four! I salute you, my friend,

from beyond the grave.

"Ever thine,

"hercule poirot."

I read and re-read this astonishing communication.

One thing was evident. This amazing man had so provided

for every eventuality that even his own death did

not upset the sequence of his plans! Mine was to be the

active part--his the directing genius. Doubtless I should find full instructions awaiting me beyond the seas. In

the meantime my enemies, convinced that I was obeying

their warning, would cease to trouble their heads about

me. I could return, unsuspected, and work havoc in

their midst.

There was now nothing to hinder my immediate departure.

I sent off cables, booked my passage, and one

week later found me embarking in the Ansonia en route

for Buenos Ayres.

Just as the boat left the quay, a steward brought me a

note. It had been given him, so he explained, by a big

gentleman in a fur coat who had left the boat last thing before the gangway planks were lifted.

I opened it. It was terse and to the point.

"You are wise," it ran. It was signed with a big figure 4.

I could afford to smile to myself!

THE BIG FOUR 189

The sea was not too choppy. I enjoyed a passable dinner, made up my mind as to the majority of my fellow