The Big Four · Chapter
In the Felsenlabyrynth explained
Hastings and Poirot (actually Achille Poirot in disguise) are captured by Number Four and brought to the underground headquarters of the Big Four, where they confront Ryland, Madame Olivier, and the absent Li Chang Yen.
What happens
Hastings and Poirot (actually Achille Poirot in disguise) are captured by Number Four and brought to the underground headquarters of the Big Four, where they confront Ryland, Madame Olivier, and the absent Li Chang Yen. The Countess Rossakoff exposes the disguise, but Achille reveals that a cordon of detectives has surrounded the mountain and that hounds are following an aniseed trail to their entrance. As the net tightens, Madame Olivier hints at a final destructive escape. Later, after an explosion, Hastings awakens to find the real Poirot, who explains his elaborate ruse—including faking his own death, impersonating his 'twin brother' Achille, and using the countess's lost child to win her over—leading to the apparent destruction of the Big Four and Li Chang Yen's suicide.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Disguise
Poirot's impersonation of his fictional twin brother Achille, including fake moustaches and a scar, is central to the chapter's plot.
Sacrifice and Loyalty
Achille (Poirot) expresses willingness to lay down his life for the world, and Hastings reflects on being willing to sacrifice as well.
Global Criminal Conspiracy
The Big Four's underground headquarters and their coordinated global operations are vividly depicted.
Intelligence and Deduction
Poirot's elaborate plan—using aniseed trails, a cordon, and psychological manipulation—demonstrates his deductive genius.
Characters to notice
- Captain Hastings
Narrates the chapter; captured and brought to the Big Four's lair, later rescued after the explosion.
- Hercule Poirot
Revealed to have been impersonating his 'twin brother' Achille; orchestrates the cordon and rescue, and later explains his full plan.
- Achille Poirot
Actually Hercule Poirot in disguise; captured alongside Hastings, reveals the cordon and aniseed trail.
- Number Four
Leads the capture of Hastings and Poirot; mocks them in the headquarters; later dies unrecognizably in the explosion.
- Abe Ryland
Present as a member of the Big Four; questions Achille's claims.
- Madame Olivier
Member of the Big Four; hints at a Samson-like destructive escape.
- Countess Vera Rossakoff
Exposes Achille's disguise; later revealed to have been won over by Poirot through the recovery of her child.
- Li Chang Yen
Absent but represented by an empty chair; commits suicide upon hearing of the disaster.
Key passages
“The sweat streamed down my face, but I raced on. And then, far away, I saw a gleam of daylight.”
Hastings runs desperately toward a distant light.
Describes the escape from the underground lair after the explosion.
“It was I all the time. It is not only Number Four who can act a part.”
Poirot reveals that he was the one impersonating Achille all along.
Key revelation of the disguise plot.
“I had the child all along.”
Poirot had located the countess's supposedly dead son.
Explains how Poirot won over Countess Rossakoff.
“A great brain, my friend, a great brain. But I wish I had seen the face of the man who was Number Four.”
Poirot praises Li Chang Yen's intellect but regrets not seeing Number Four's face.
Reflects on the unresolved identity of Number Four.
