The Big Four hp-5

by Agatha Christie

  Death is due to paralysis of the respiratory centre.' "You see, Hastings? At the beginning I had an inkling of the truth when Japp made his remark about a live man being forced into the fire. I realised then that it was a dead man who was burned."

  "But why? What was the point?"

  "My friend, if you were to shoot a man, or stab a man after he were dead, or even knock him on the head, it would be apparent that the injuries were inflicted after death. But with his head charred to a cinder, no one is going to hunt about for obscure causes of death, and a man who has apparently just escaped being poisoned at dinner, is not likely to be poisoned just afterwards. Who is lying, that is always the question? I decided to believe Ah Ling-"

  "What?" I exclaimed.

  "You are surprised, Hastings? Ah Ling knew of the existence of the Big Four, that was evident-so evident that it was clear he knew nothing of their association with the crime until that moment. Had he been the murderer, he would have been able to retain his impassive face perfectly. So I decided then, to believe Ah Ling, and I fixed my suspicions on Gerald Paynter. It seemed to me that Number Four would have found an impersonation of a long lost nephew very easy."

  "What!" I cried. "Number Four?"

  "No, Hastings, not Number Four. As soon as I had read up the subject of yellow jasmine, I saw the truth. In fact, it leapt to the eye."

  "As always," I said coldly, "it doesn't leap to mine."

  "Because you will not use your little gray cells. Who had a chance to tamper with the curry?"

  "Ah Ling. No one else."

  "No one else? What about the doctor?"

  "But that was afterwards."

  "Of course it was afterwards. There was no trace of powdered opium in the curry served to Mr. Paynter, but acting in obedience to the suspicions Dr. Quentin had aroused, the old man eats none of it, and preserves it to give to his medical attendant, whom he summons according to plan. Dr. Quentin arrives, takes charge of the curry, and gives Mr. Paynter an injection-of strychnine, he says, but really of yellow jasmine-a poisonous dose. When the drug begins to take effect, he departs, after unlatching the window. Then, in the night, he returns by the window, finds the manuscript, and shoves Mr. Paynter into the fire. He does not heed the newspaper that drops to the floor and is covered by the old man's body. Paynter knew what drug he had been given, and strove to accuse the Big Four of his murder.

  It is easy for Quentin to mix powdered opium with the curry before handing it over to be analysed. He gives his version of the conversation with the old man, and mentions the strychnine injection casually, in case the mark of the hypodermic needle is noticed. Suspicion at once is divided between accident and the guilt of Ah Ling owing to the poison in the curry."

  "But Dr. Quentin cannot be Number Four?"

  "I fancy he can. There is undoubtedly a real Dr.

  Quentin who is probably abroad somewhere. Number Four has simply masqueraded as him for a short time.

  The arrangements with Dr. Bolitho were all carried out by correspondence, the man who was to do locum originally having been taken ill at the last minute."

  At that minute, Japp burst in, very red in the face.

  "You have got him?" cried Poirot anxiously.

  Japp shook his head, very out of breath.

  "Bolitho came back from his holiday this morning -recalled by telegram. No one knows who sent it. The other man left last night. We'll catch him yet, though."

  Poirot shook his head quietly.

  "I think not," he said, and absent-mindedly he drew a big 4 on the table with a fork.

  11. A Chess Problem

  Poirot and I often dined at a small restaurant in Soho.

  We were there one evening, when we observed a friend at an adjacent table. It was Inspector Japp, and as there was room at our table, he came and joined us. It was some time since either of us had seen him.

  "Never do you drop in to see us nowadays," declared Poirot reproachfully. "Not since the affair of the Yellow Jasmine have we met, and that is nearly a month ago."

  "I've been up north-that's why. How are things with you? Big Four still going strong-eh?"

  Poirot shook a finger at him reproachfully.

  "Ah! you mock yourself at me-but the Big Four-they exist."

  "Oh! I don't doubt that-but they're not the hub of the universe, as you make out."

  "My friend, you are very much mistaken. The greatest power for evil in the world to-day is this 'Big Four.' To what end they are tending, no one knows, but there has never been another such criminal organisation.

  The finest brain in China at the head of it, an American millionaire, and a French woman scientist as members, and for the fourth-"

  Japp interrupted.

  "I know-I know. Regular bee in your bonnet over it all. It's becoming your little mania, Moosior Poirot.

  Let's talk of something else for a change. Take any interest in chess?"

  "I have played it, yes."

  "Did you see that curious business yesterday? Match between two players of world-wide reputation, and one died during the game?"

  "I saw a mention of it. Dr. Savaronoff, the Russian champion, was one of the players, and the other, who succumbed to heart failure, was the brilliant young American, Gilmour Wilson."

  "Quite right. Savaronoff beat Rubinstein and became Russian champion some years ago. Wilson is said to be a second Capablanca."

  "A very curious occurrence," mused Poirot. "If I mistake not, you have a particular interest in the matter?"

  Japp gave a rather embarrassed laugh.

  "You've hit it, Moosior Poirot. I'm puzzled. Wilson was sound as a bell-no trace of heart trouble. His death is quite inexplicable."

  "You suspect Dr. Savaronoff of putting him out of the way?" I cried.

  "Hardly that," said Japp dryly. "I don't think even a Russian would murder another man in order not to be beaten at chess-and anyway, from all I can make out, the boot was likely to be on the other leg. The doctor is supposed to be very hot stuff-second to Lasker they say he is."

  Poirot nodded thoughtfully.

  "Then what exactly is your little idea?" he asked.

  "Why should Wilson be poisoned? For, I assume, of course, that it is poison you suspect."

  "Naturally. Heart failure means your heart stops beating-that's all there is to that. That's what a doctor says officially at the moment, but privately he tips us the wink that he's not satisfied."

  "When is the autopsy to take place?"

  "To-night. Wilson's death was extraordinarily sudden.

  He seemed quite as usual and was actually moving one of the pieces when he suddenly fell forward-dead!"

  "There are very few poisons would act in such a fashion," objected Poirot.

  "I know. The autopsy will help us, I expect. But why should anyone want Gilmour Wilson out of the way-that's what I'd like to know? Harmless unassuming young fellow. Just come over here from the States, and apparently hadn't an enemy in the world."

  "It seems incredible," I mused.

  "Not at all," said Poirot, smiling. "Japp has his theory, I can see."

  "I have, Moosior Poirot. I don't believe the poison was meant for Wilson-it was meant for the other man."

  "Savaronoff?"

  "Yes. Savaronoff fell foul of the Bolsheviks at the outbreak of the Revolution. He was even reported killed. In reality he escaped, and for three years endured incredible hardships in the wilds of Siberia. His sufferings were so great that he is now a changed man. His friends and acquaintances declare they would hardly have recognised him. His hair is white, and his whole aspect that of a man terribly aged. He is a semi-invalid, and seldom goes out, living alone with a niece, Sonia Daviloff, and a Russian man-servant in a flat down Westminster way. It is possible that he still considers himself a marked man. Certainly he was very unwilling to agree to this chess contest. He refused several times point blank, and it was only when the newspapers took it up and began making a fuss about the 'unsportsmanlike refusal'
that he gave in. Gilmour Wilson had gone on challenging him with real Yankee pertinacity, and in the end he got his way. Now I ask you, Moosior Poirot, why wasn't he willing? Because he didn't want attention drawn to him. Didn't want somebody or other to get on his track. That's my solution-Gilmour Wilson got pipped by mistake."

  "There is no one who has any private reason to gain by Savaronoff's death?"

  "Well, his niece, I suppose. He's recently come into an immense fortune. Left him by Madame Gospoja whose husband was a sugar profiteer under the old regime.

  They had an affair together once, I believe, and she refused steadfastly to credit the reports of his death."

  "Where did the match take place?"

  "In Savaronoff's own flat. He's an invalid, as I told you."

  "Many people there to watch it?"

  "At least a dozen-probably more."

  Poirot made an expressive grimace.

  "My poor Japp, your task is not an easy one."

  "Once I know definitely that Wilson was poisoned, I can get on."

  "Has it occurred to you that, in the meantime, supposing your assumption that Savaronoff was the intended victim to be correct, the murderer may try again?"

  "Of course it has. Two men are watching Savaronoff's flat."

  "That will be very useful if any one should call with a bomb under his arm," said Poirot dryly.

  "You're getting interested, Moosier Poirot," said Japp, with a twinkle. "Care to come round to the mortuary and see Wilson's body before the doctors start on it? Who knows, his tie-pin may be askew, and that may give you a valuable clue that will solve the mystery."

  "My dear Japp, all through dinner my fingers have been itching to rearrange your own tie-pin. You permit, yes? Ah! that is much more pleasing to the eye. Yes, by all means, let us go to the mortuary."

  I could see that Poirot's attention was completely captivated by this new problem. It was so long since he had shown any interest over any outside case that I was quite rejoiced to see him back in his old form.

  For my own part, I felt a deep pity as I looked down upon the motionless form and convulsed face of the hapless young American who had come by his death in such a strange way. Poirot examined the body attentively.

  There was no mark on it anywhere, except a small scar on the left hand.

  "And the doctor says that's a burn, not a cut," explained Japp.

  Poirot's attention shifted to the contents of the dead man's pockets which a constable spread out for our inspection. There was nothing much-a handkerchief, keys, note-case filled with notes, and some unimportant letters. But one object standing by itself filled Poirot with interest.

  "A chessman!" he exclaimed. "A white bishop. Was that in his pocket?"

  "No, clasped in his hand. We had quite a difficulty to get it out of his fingers. It must be returned to Dr.

  Savaronoff sometime. It's part of a very beautiful set of carved ivory chessmen."

  "Permit me to return it to him. It will make an excuse for my going there."

  "Aha!" cried Japp. "So you want to come in on this case?"

  "I admit it. So skilfully have you aroused my interest."

  "That's fine. Got you away from your brooding.

  Captain Hastings is pleased, too, I can see."

  "Quite right," I said, laughing.

  Poirot turned back towards the body.

  "No other little detail you can tell me about-him?" he asked.

  "I don't think so."

  "Not even-that he was left-handed?"

  "You're a wizard, Moosior Poirot. How did you know that? He was left-handed. Not that it's anything to do with the case."

  "Nothing whatever," agreed Poirot hastily, seeing that Japp was slightly ruffled. "My little joke-that was all. I like to play you the trick, see you."

  We went out upon an amicable understanding.

  The following morning saw us wending our way to Dr. Savaronoff's flat in Westminster.

  "Sonia Daviloff," I mused. "It's a pretty name."

  Poirot stopped, and threw me a look of despair.

  "Always looking for romance! You are incorrigible.

  It would serve you right if Sonia Daviloff turned out to be our friend and enemy the Countess Vera Rossakoff."

  At the mention of the countess, my face clouded over.

  "Surely, Poirot, you don't suspect-"

  "But, no, no. It was a joke! I have not the Big Four on the brain to that extent, whatever Japp may say."

  The door of the flat was opened to us by a man-servant with a peculiarly wooden face. It seemed impossible to believe that that impassive countenance could ever display emotion.

  Poirot presented a card on which Japp had scribbled a few words of introduction, and we were shown into a low, long room furnished with rich hangings and curios.

  One or two wonderful ikons hung upon the walls, and exquisite Persian rugs lay upon the floor. A samovar stood upon a table.

  I was examining one of the ikons which I judged to be of considerable value, and turned to see Poirot prone upon the floor. Beautiful as the rug was, it hardly seemed to be to necessitate such close attention.

  "Is it such a very wonderful specimen?" I asked.

  "Eh? Oh! the rug? But no, it was not the rug I was remarking. But it is a beautiful specimen, far too beautiful to have a large nail wantonly driven through the middle of it. No, Hastings," as I came forward, "the nail is not there now. But the hole remains."

  A sudden sound behind us made me spin round, and Poirot spring nimbly to his feet. A girl was standing in the doorway. Her eyes, fell upon us, were dark with suspicion. She was of medium height, with a beautiful, rather sullen face, dark blue eyes, and very black hair which was cut short. Her voice, when she spoke, was rich and sonorous, and completely un-English.

  "I fear my uncle will be unable to see you. He is a great invalid."

  "That is a pity, but perhaps you will kindly help me instead. You are Mademoiselle Daviloff, are you not?"

  "Yes, I am Sonia Daviloff. What is it you want to know?"

  "I am making some inquiries about that sad affair the night before last-the death of M. Gilmour Wilson.

  What can you tell me about it?"

  The girl's eyes opened wide.

  "He died of heart failure-as he was playing chess."

  "The police are not so sure that it was-heart failure, mademoiselle."

  The girl gave a terrified gesture.

  "It was true then," she cried. "Ivan was right."

  "Who is Ivan, and why do you say he was right?"

  "It was Ivan who opened the door to you-and he has already said to me that in his opinion Gilmour Wilson did not die a natural death-that he was poisoned by mistake."

  "By mistake."

  "Yes, the poison was meant for my uncle."

  She had quite forgotten her first distrust now, and was speaking eagerly.

  "Why do you say that, mademoiselle. Who should wish to poison Dr. Savaronoff?"

  She shook her head.

  "I do not know. I am all in the dark. And my uncle, he will not trust me. It is natural, perhaps. You see, he hardly knows me. He saw me as a child, and not since till I came to live with him here in London. But this much I do know, he is in fear of something. We have many secret societies in Russia, and one day I overheard something which made me think it was of just such a society he went in fear. Tell me, monsieur"-she came a step nearer, and dropped her voice-"have you ever heard of a society called the 'Big Four'?"

  Poirot jumped nearly out of his skin. His eyes positively bulged with astonishment.

  "Why do you-what do you know of the Big Four, mademoiselle?"

  "There is such an association, then! I overheard a reference to them, and asked my uncle about it afterwards.

  Never have I seen a man so afraid. He turned all white and shaking. He was in fear of them, monsieur, in great fear, I am sure of it. And, by mistake, they killed the American, Wilson."

  "The Big Four," murmured P
oirot. "Always the Big Four! An astonishing coincidence, mademoiselle, your uncle is still in danger. I must save him. Now recount to me exactly the events of that fatal evening. Show me the chess-board, the table, how the two men sat-everything."

  She went to the side of the room and brought out a small table. The top of it was exquisite, inlaid with squares of silver and black to represent a chessboard.

  "This was sent to my uncle a few weeks ago as a present, with the request that he would use it in the next match he played. It was in the middle of the room-so."

  Poirot examined the table with what seemed to me quite unnecessary attention. He was not conducting the inquiry at all as I would have done. Many of his questions seemed to me pointless, and upon really vital matters he seemed to have no questions to ask. I concluded that the unexpected mention of the Big Four had thrown him completely off his balance.

  After a minute examination of the table and the exact position it had occupied, he asked to see the chessmen.

  Sonia Daviloff brought them to him in a box. He examined one or two of them in a perfunctory manner.

  "An exquisite set," he murmured absentmindedly.

  Still not a question as to what refreshments there had been, or what people had been present.

  I cleared my throat significantly.

  "Don't you think, Poirot, that-"

  He interrupted me peremptorily.

  "Do not think, my friend. Leave all to me. Mademoiselle, is it quite impossible that I should see your uncle?"

  A faint smile showed itself on her face.

  "He will see you, yes. You understand, it is my part to interview all strangers first."

  She disappeared. I heard a murmur of voices in the next room, and a minute later she came back and motioned us to pass into the adjoining room.

  The man who lay there on a couch was an imposing figure. Tall, gaunt, with huge bushy eyebrows and white beard, and a face haggard as the result of starvation and hardships. Dr. Savaronoff was a distinct personality. I noted the peculiar formation of his head, its unusual height. A great chess player must have a great brain, I knew. I could easily understand Dr. Savaronoff being the second greatest player in the world.