The Big Four · Chapter
The Dying Chinaman explained
Hastings, reeling from Poirot's apparent death, is consumed with guilt and a desire for vengeance against the Big Four.
What happens
Hastings, reeling from Poirot's apparent death, is consumed with guilt and a desire for vengeance against the Big Four. Despite warnings from Dr. Ridgeway and the Home Secretary to return to South America, he resolves to continue Poirot's work. He places advertisements seeking information on Claud Darrell, but learns of John Ingles's mysterious disappearance at sea. Countess Rossakoff delivers a second warning for him to leave England, hinting at a third and final warning from 'the Destroyer.' Hastings then receives a call from St. Giles's Hospital about a dying Chinaman who had his name and address. At the hospital, he learns the man was Ingles's servant. The Chinaman, before dying, whispers cryptic Italian words—'Handel's Largo' and 'carrozza'—leaving Hastings bewildered and suspicious of a trap.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Disguise
Hastings suspects the dying Chinaman may be a plant by the Big Four, reflecting the pervasive deception and false identities used by the criminal organization.
Fear and Paranoia
Hastings's constant suspicion of traps and his wariness of every encounter highlight the atmosphere of fear and paranoia that pervades the chapter.
Sacrifice and Loyalty
Hastings's unwavering loyalty to Poirot drives him to risk his life to avenge his friend, while the dying Chinaman's sacrifice to deliver a message underscores the theme.
Characters to notice
- Captain Hastings
Grieving Poirot's death, Hastings is determined to avenge him and hunt down the Big Four, ignoring advice to return to South America.
- Dr. Ridgeway
Treats Hastings after the explosion and repeatedly urges him to abandon his quest and return to South America.
- Sydney Crowther
The Home Secretary; Hastings meets with him to offer his services, but Crowther gently declines and advises him to return to South America.
- John Ingles
Reported missing and presumed dead after falling overboard from the S.S. Shanghai; Hastings suspects murder by the Big Four.
- Countess Vera Rossakoff
Delivers a second warning to Hastings to leave England, speaking of her admiration for Poirot and hinting at a third warning from 'the Destroyer.'
- Ling
A dying Chinaman, identified as Ingles's servant, who has Hastings's name and address; he whispers cryptic Italian words before dying.
Key passages
“Even now I can hardly bear to write of those days in March. Poirot—the unique, the inimitable Hercule Poirot—dead!”
Hastings still finds it painful to recount the events of that March, when the one-of-a-kind Hercule Poirot died.
Opens the chapter with Hastings's grief and the shock of Poirot's death.
“It was, Dr. Ridgeway said, a perfect miracle that I had not been killed, but had escaped with a slight concussion.”
Dr. Ridgeway called it a miracle that Hastings survived the explosion with only a mild concussion.
Highlights Hastings's survival and his guilt over triggering the explosion.
“I had worked so long with Poirot that I knew his methods by heart, and felt fully capable of taking up the work where he had laid it down; it was, with me, a question of feeling.”
Hastings believed his long partnership with Poirot had taught him the detective's methods, making him feel obligated to continue the fight.
Explains Hastings's motivation to avenge Poirot despite warnings.
“The countess shrugged her shoulders—magnificent shoulders, and a magnificent gesture. 'For my part, I think that, too, stupid. I would leave you here to play about happily. But the chiefs, you see, are fearful that some word of yours may give great help to those more intelligent than yourself. Hence—you are to be banished.'”
Countess Rossakoff dismisses Hastings's abilities, saying the Big Four fear he might inadvertently aid smarter people, so they want him exiled.
Reveals the Big Four's view of Hastings as a minor threat and their plan to remove him.
“I thought I caught the word 'hand,' but in what connection it was used I could not tell. Then it came again, and this time I heard another word, the word 'Largo.' I stared in amazement, as the possible juxtaposition of the two suggested itself to me. 'Handel's Largo?' I queried.”
Hastings heard the dying Chinaman say 'hand' and then 'Largo,' leading him to wonder if the message referred to Handel's Largo.
The cryptic message from the Chinaman leaves Hastings puzzled and suspicious.
