The Big Four by Agatha Christie Read Free Book Online Page A

think. They are all convinced that my husband has gone off with some other woman. But he wasn’t like that! All he thought of in life was his work. Half our quarrels came from that. He cared for it more than he did for me.”
    â€œEnglishmen, they are like that,” said Poirot soothingly. “And if it is not work, it is the games, the sport. All those things they take au grand sérieux . Now, madame, recount to me exactly, in detail, and as methodically as you can, the exact circumstances of your husband’s disappearance.”
    â€œMy husband went to Paris on Thursday, the 20th of July. He was to meet and visit various people there connected with his work, amongst them Madame Olivier.”
    Poirot nodded at the mention of the famous French womanchemist, who had eclipsed even Madame Curie in the brilliance of her achievements. She had been decorated by the French Government, and was one of the most prominent personalities of the day.
    â€œHe arrived there in the evening and went at once to the Hotel Castiglione in the rue de Castiglione. On the following morning he had an appointment with Professor Bourgoneau, which he kept. His manner was normal and pleasant. The two men had a most interesting conversation, and it was arranged that he should witness some experiments in the professor’s laboratory on the following day. He lunched alone at the Café Royal, went for a walk in the Bois, and then visited Madame Olivier at her house at Passy. There, also, his manner was perfectly normal. He left about six. Where he dined is not known, probably alone at some restaurant. He returned to the hotel about eleven o’clock and went straight up to his room, after inquiring if any letters had come for him. On the following morning, he walked out of the hotel, and has not been seen again.”
    â€œAt what time did he leave the hotel? At the hour when he would normally leave it to keep his appointment at Professor Bourgoneau’s laboratory?”
    â€œWe do not know. He was not remarked leaving the hotel. But no petit déjeuner was served to him, which seems to indicate that he went out early.”
    â€œOr he might, in fact, have gone out again after he came in the night before?”
    â€œI do not think so. His bed had been slept in, and the night porter would have remembered anyone going out at that hour.”
    â€œA very just observation, madame. We may take it, then, that he left early on the following morning—and that is reassuring from one point of view. He is not likely to have fallen a victim toany Apache assault at that hour. His baggage, now, was it all left behind?”
    Mrs. Halliday seemed rather reluctant to answer, but at last she said:
    â€œNo—he must have taken one small suitcase with him.”
    â€œH’m,” said Poirot thoughtfully, “I wonder where he was that evening. If we knew that, we should know a great deal. Whom did he meet?—there lies the mystery. Madame, myself, I do not of necessity accept the view of the police; with them is it always ‘Cherchez la femme.’ Yet it is clear that something occurred that night to alter your husband’s plans. You say he asked for letters on returning to the hotel. Did he receive any?”
    â€œOne only, and that must have been the one I wrote him on the day he left England.”
    Poirot remained sunk in thought for a full minute, then he rose briskly to his feet.
    â€œWell, madame, the solution of the mystery lies in Paris, and to find it I myself journey to Paris on the instant.”
    â€œIt is all a long time ago, monsieur.”
    â€œYes, yes. Nevertheless, it is there that we must seek.”
    He turned to leave the room, but paused with his hand on the door.
    â€œTell me, madame, do you ever remember your husband mentioning the phrase, ‘The Big Four?’”
    â€œThe Big Four,” she repeated thoughtfully. “No, I can’t say Ido.”

Six
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