Page:The Big Four (Christie).pdf/165

 if you remember, was let furnished. But one accomplice at least was in Savaronoff’s flat. The girl is an agent of the Big Four, working to inherit Savaronoff’s money.”

“And Ivan?”

“I strongly suspect that Ivan is none other than the famous Number Four.”

“What?”

“Yes. The man is a marvellous character actor. He can assume any part he pleases.”

I thought back over past adventures, the lunatic asylum keeper, the butcher’s young man, the suave doctor, all the same man, and all totally unlike each other.

“It’s amazing,” I said at last. “Everything fits in. Savaronoff had an inkling of the plot, and that’s why he was so averse to playing the match.”

Poirot looked at me without speaking. Then he turned abruptly away, and began pacing up and down.

“Have you a book on chess by any chance, mon ami?” he asked suddenly.

“I believe I have somewhere.”

It took me some time to ferret it out, but I found it at last, and brought it to Poirot, who sank down in a chair and started reading it with the greatest attention.