# In the House of the Enemy explained — The Big Four > Chapter companion for The Big Four by Agatha Christie. ## What happens Hastings, under the alias Major Neville, infiltrates the household of Abe Ryland, whom Poirot suspects of being Number Two of the Big Four. He discovers that Ryland receives letters marked with a '4' and flies into a rage when one is accidentally opened. Hastings deciphers a coded message from the letter and arranges a meeting with Poirot, but the man he meets is a disguised footman. Poirot's plan backfires when Inspector Japp reveals the footman's hoax, yet Poirot remains convinced that Ryland is Number Two and the footman is Number Four. ## Themes in this chapter ### Deception and Disguise Hastings disguises himself as Major Neville to infiltrate Ryland's household, and the footman impersonates Ryland to deceive Hastings. ### Global Criminal Conspiracy The Big Four's reach extends to the highest levels of wealth and power, with Ryland suspected as Number Two. ### Intelligence and Deduction Poirot deduces Ryland's role from Mayerling's clues and deciphers the coded letter, though the trap is foiled. ## Character check-ins ### Captain Hastings Under the alias Major Neville, Hastings infiltrates Ryland's household as a secretary, discovers the coded letter, and arranges a meeting with Poirot. ### Hercule Poirot Poirot suspects Ryland is Number Two, devises the infiltration plan, and later deciphers the coded message, though the trap backfires. ### Abe Ryland Ryland is the multimillionaire suspect; he receives letters marked with a '4' and reacts furiously when one is opened by mistake. ### Number Four The footman who impersonates Ryland during the meeting with Hastings, later revealed to be Number Four of the Big Four. ### Inspector Japp Japp assists Poirot in setting up the trap but later reveals the footman's hoax, though Poirot remains convinced of Ryland's guilt. ### Miss Martin Ryland's secretary who accidentally opens the coded letter and shares its contents with Hastings, leading to the breakthrough. ## Key lines > Your bright intellect has grasped the idea, Hastings. Yes, I do. The tone in which you said multimillionaire was eloquent—but let me impress upon you one fact—this thing is being run by men at the top—and Mr. Ryland has the reputation of being no beauty in his business dealings. An able, unscrupulous man, a man who has all the wealth that he needs, and is out for unlimited power. Poirot confirms that he suspects Ryland is Number Two, noting that Ryland is a wealthy, unscrupulous man seeking power. _Poirot explains his reasoning for suspecting Ryland as Number Two of the Big Four._ > The essential thing now, I should say, is to see the property. If you insist on the quarry being included, then seventeen thousand seems reasonable. Eleven percent commission too much, four percent is ample. Yours truly, Arthur Leversham The coded letter appears to discuss a property deal but actually contains a hidden message about the Big Four. _The letter that Miss Martin accidentally opens, which Hastings later deciphers as a coded message._ > We know , Hastings. Number Two of the Big Four is Abe Ryland. The masquerading on the part of the footman was to ensure a way of retreat in case of emergencies. And the footman— Number Four. Poirot concludes that Ryland is Number Two and the footman is Number Four, despite the apparent hoax. _Poirot's final deduction after Japp reveals the footman's trick._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_big_four_se/chapters/viii-in-the-house-of-the-enemy - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_big_four_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_big_four_se/chapters