TheBigFour

mere money. It was a compettence--a fortune! And there was a second attraction--_you, my friend. For this last year and a half I have beein a very lonely old man. I thought to myself. Why not? I am beginning to weary of this unending solving otf foolish problems. I have achieved sufficient fame. Let me take this money and settle down somewhere near my old friend." I was quite affected by this token of Poirot's regard. "So I accepted," he continued, "and in am hour's time I must leave to catch the boat train. One of life's little ironies, is it not? But I will admit to you, Hastings, that had not the money offered been so big, I might have hesitated, for just lately I have begun a little investigation of my own. Tell me, what is commonly meant by the phrase, 'The Big Four'?" "I suppose it had its origin at the Versailles Conference, and then there's the famous 'Big Four' in the film world, and the term is used by hosts of smaller fry." "I see," said Poirot thoughtfully. "I have come across the phrase, you understand, under certain circumstances where none of those explanations would apply. It seems to refer to a gang of internat......