Pocus

pocus

The process of old movies remastering into digital 4K resolution is gaining momentum. And that’s quite obvious: people are full of day-fly action movies with repetitive scenarios. They want to rewatch golden era films they were growing up with: BladeRunner, Matrix, Star Wars. And that’s really cool the modern world can give us this opportunity to enjoy our favorite films on the biggest screens and feel comfortable. 2K, 4K or even 8K - everything is possible. But the process of remastering is an extremely complicated one. That’s why every new movie released in digital 4K is a big deal. Because it takes around 6 to 12 months to remaster an old movie. The restoration process refers not just simply to a movie encoding into a digital file for DVD. It includes the total recovering: peeling away the layers that have prevented you from seeing what’s been on the negatives all these years without adding any fake information. To do the proper remastering job companies always try to find an earlier-generation negative which haven’t been destroyed with either fading or frequent rubbing in a projector. These negatives may be cleaner, well-contrasted and have more sharp images per frame. Of course, they need to be preprocessed too: to have dust and scratch removal as well. The process of restoration today is equally balancing on human resources and automated AI processing. The automation processes may misunderstand some details that look similar to them (having the same color or structure) and accidentally do even worse. Humans prevent these things happen by controlling what software does. The final result highly depends on the efforts the studio makes and how elaborately the job was done. The first thing in the remastering chain is - scanning. To scan 90-minute into 4K movie the scanner works all day long for at least a week. Scanning into 2K requires twice less time. But 2019 and 2K not really a good combo… Why so long? Because the scanning process goes converting a movie into computer files frame by frame. After that, they are collected back together into a movie flow. When the whole movie was scanned, here we go to the next step - digital cleaning. Earlier without proper software people did it mechanically literally using Q-tips. That was very dangerous since you are touching the treasured original nitrate negative. And with one wrong move removing the dirt you could remove the part of the film besides. With digital cleaning you don’t even need to touch the film. With a special software team of professionals does a cleaning frame by frame. The main idea is to clean but not create artifacts or to put something extra that wasn’t there. What should be removed? Weaves They may appear when the film was moving around Flickers It’s the light that can be caught in between the printing process of the negative to the positive Dirtiness Scratches Humans have wrinkles, the film has scratches. That's called aging After that, it’s high time to move to color restoration. The process of remastering should take into account the cinematographers and directors’ work from that time period. It should consider the location as well - where it was shot? In a studio or outside? There is no doubt monochromatic movies require much less colorization job to be done on them. The main point in their editing - making them more contrasted and structured. As well as adding some bright black colors since these movies lost its natural contrasts by cause of the running several times through a projector. Another side of the deal with colored movies. The colors tend to rapidly fade on the film during its cinema screenings. Long-throw and large screen sizes require higher power Xenon 1-7kW lamps. And all this light pressure was exposed every time per each frame. Quite challenging for a film to stay colorful, right? Due to this process, the colors were getting paler and paler after several runs. Especially warm reds/pinks/oranges tend to vanish extremely fast, leaving a somewhat dulled greeny-blue print compared to a virgin one. The remastered movies supposed to reveal to the world bright reds, purples, oranges with deep blues and greens, adding the whole new depth to the movie. That works well either for black-and-white movies or for colored ones made after 50-ies. But there is a specific type of movies that requires an insanely difficult restoration process. We are talking about the first technicolor movies. So what’s the problem with technicolor restoration, chief? Technicolor originally was born in the two-colored system - green and red. Blue came into the mix in 1932 when the Technicolor company added the key third strip. Adding one more color let the cinema art to get the full possible spectrum of colors opposing to the limited two-colored paradigm in the previous version. A specific and tough challenge to remaster Technicolor movies which were made in 1922 till 1955 is caused by the process of recording the movie. It was possible thanks to the innovative camera running three different strips of the film simultaneously. These strips were regular monochromatic (black and white) running behind the color filters, sending the light into three different sources: RED light to one strip of film, GREEN light to another strip, and BLUE light to the final strip. It ended up having three copies of the same image in three different color variations. After several photo processes in turning negative prints into positive. Every positive matrix needs to be soaked in the dye interdependently to the color of light recorded by the negative printed on it: cyan for red, magenta for green, and yellow for blue. The most interesting thing is that getting the final single colorful strip was an entirely mechanical process, not photographic. These three various-colored were physically pressed into one single strip making the whole range of spectrum possible. Afterward, the final print was imbedded in the gelatin for the final positive print. So no photosensitive chemical, only hardcore pressing film together with very tight tolerances. So cyan, yellow and magenta combined together made the vivid and ultra-saturated Technicolor we have today. That all went well till Eastman Kodak introduced the 3-in-1 film in the mid-1930s. The last Technicolor feature film was produced in 1955 and the epoch of 3-striped gone forever. But how to remaster this type of movies? We will take as an example “The Wizard from OZ” restoration. Firstly there is a photochemical restoration need to be done. It takes around from 8 months up to 1,5 year inspecting existing elements frame by frame. "The Wizard of OZ" was scanned 4K at 16-bit linear digital color space. 16-bit linear system means that 65536 colors are available per each pixel. 4K contains 4000 pixels wide per frame. That’s why every scanned frame was about 50 MB. “The Wizard of OZ” was scanning as a black-and-white record. Each colorful film strip required to be scanned separately (one from the cyan, one from yellow and one from magenta), so technically there were 6 scannings to make the movie possible. Afterward, there is a process of digital cleaning. The main difference with the average digital film cleaning that you need to do it 3 times in a row! That makes the process lasts for so long. What’s more, if you skip any spot or scratch at one strip - it will appear on the whole movie. After the cleaning process, the software marries these three films together. The main problem in this case is the different degree of shrinkage of 3 color-separated films, leading to inaccuracies in combining films into one. However, modern technologies overcome this difficulty by scaling and combining the image frame by frame to make the perfect alignment. It must be done elaborately right to the pixel. The process of remastering keeps the art of shooting on celluloid film away from extinction. And allowing us to enjoy the highest possible quality in digital. God save the film. And technologies.

Hocus-Pocus: How The Remastering Process Transforming Classic Movies Into 4K

Password Management and Protection - Part 2: What You Need to Know About Passwordless Logins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdoh8z0NXzU&embedable=true&transcript=true&long=true Read Big thanks to the team that made it happen HackerNoon 2.0 happen! More about us: https://hackernoon.com/ David Smooke https://hackernoon.com/about/david https://davidsmooke.net Linh Dao Smooke https://linhdaosmooke.com/ https://hackernoon.com/u/david Dane Lyons https://hackernoon.com/u/Dane https://www.linkedin.com/in/danelyons Austin Pocus https://austinpocus.com/ https://hackernoon.com/u/austin Natasha Nel https://hackernoon.com/u/natasha https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashanel/ Storm Farrell https://www.linkedin.com/in/storm-farrell/ https://hackernoon.com/u/Storm Utsav Jaiswal https://www.linkedin.com/in/utsavjaiswal https://hackernoon.com/u/Hackerhodl Daria Kulish https://www.linkedin.com/in/daria-kulish-🇺🇦-a258bb141/ https://hackernoon.com/u/daria Hang Ngo https://www.linkedin.com/in/hangttngo/ https://hackernoon.com/u/hang_n9550lbg Kien Dao https://www.linkedin.com/in/kien-dao/ https://hackernoon.com/u/kien Publish with us https://hackernoon.com/p/publish For more HackerNoon product updates, visit . Featured image, . https://hackernoon.tech/ July 14, 2019 via Wayback Machine

The Moment HackerNoon Replaced Medium CMS with It's Own Publishing Platform: July 13, 2019

The Moment HackerNoon এটির নিজস্ব প্রকাশনা প্ল্যাটফর্ম দিয়ে মিডিয়াম CMS প্রতিস্থাপিত হয়েছে: 13 জুলাই, 2019

Der Moment, in dem HackerNoon das Medium CMS durch eine eigene Publishing-Plattform ersetzt hat: 13. Juli 2019

El momento en que HackerNoon reemplazó el CMS mediano con su propia plataforma de publicación: 13 de julio de 2019

Le moment où HackerNoon a remplacé Medium CMS par sa propre plateforme de publication : 13 juillet 2019

द मोमेंट हैकरनून ने मीडियम सीएमएस को अपने स्वयं के प्रकाशन प्लेटफॉर्म से बदल दिया: 13 जुलाई, 2019

HackerNoon が中型 CMS を独自のパブリッシング プラットフォームに置き換えた瞬間: 2019 年 7 月 13 日

HackerNoon이 중형 CMS를 자체 게시 플랫폼으로 교체한 순간: 2019년 7월 13일

The Moment HackerNoon substituiu o CMS médio por sua própria plataforma de publicação: 13 de julho de 2019

Момент HackerNoon заменил Medium CMS собственной издательской платформой: 13 июля 2019 г.

HackerNoon'un Medium CMS'yi Kendi Yayın Platformuyla Değiştirdiği An: 13 Temmuz 2019

Khoảnh khắc HackerNoon thay thế CMS trung bình bằng nền tảng xuất bản của riêng nó: ngày 13 tháng 7 năm 2019

HackerNoon 用自己的发布平台取代 Medium CMS 的那一刻：2019 年 7 月 13 日

Forget "swipe right" and "add to cart" because, in 2024, your next click might change the world! That's right, your everyday payment choices - whether tapping your phone at the register or clicking "pay" online - hold more power than you think. Don't believe it? Let's dive in! Laura Nixon, a Fintech Knowledge Director, predicts: "2024 will be an important year for the global fintech industry. Despite the increasingly complex regulatory framework, there is fertile ground for both innovation and growth.” Why Do Your Clicks Count? In 2024, your payment choices are like tiny votes shaping the world around you. Sounds crazy, right? But hear me out. Every Click Counts Because It Fuels Trends: : Every purchase at an eco-friendly brand or one with fair labor practices sends a message. Your clicks tell companies what matters to you, pushing them to be better. Ethical Shopping : like Bitcoin might seem like digital hocus pocus, but your decision to invest (or not) influences their future. Remember, early adopters often shape the trajectory of new technologies. Investing in the Future Cryptocurrencies Ever love the speed and ease of instant settlements? You're not alone! But convenience can come at a cost. Your choice to use them helps shape how payments evolve, with potential impacts on privacy and responsible spending habits. The Power of Convenience: Don't Underestimate Your Power: With social media and , your opinion can reach far and wide. Share your experiences with companies you support (or don't!), encouraging others to join the movement for positive change. In the digital age, consumers have a voice: online reviews Every ethical purchase, every conscious click, contributes to a larger movement towards a more sustainable and responsible future. You might not see the immediate impact, but trust me, it's there! Small choices, big ripples: Your Click's Footprint: Impact of Payment Choices Choice Environmental Impact Social Impact Economic Impact Supporting sustainable brands Reduced carbon footprint, responsible resource use Improved working conditions, ethical sourcing Higher prices, limited availability Choosing local businesses Lower transportation emissions support the local economy Stronger communities, job creation May have less variety, potentially higher prices Using cashless options Less paper waste, the potential for financial inclusion Increased reliance on technology, the potential for the digital divide Faster transactions, convenience Avoiding impulse buys Reduced resource consumption, less waste Less debt, improved financial stability Requires discipline, may need budgeting tools Investing in ethical funds Promotes sustainable practices, avoids harmful industries Supports positive social changes, aligns with values Higher fees, risk of underperformance Futuristic Approaches & Potential Issues Forrester's Jacob Morgan added:
"The payment experience is more important than the payment itself. This includes value-added services and how payments are used. This is where the intelligent will focus in 2024." Now, let's explore the payment trends shaking things up in 2024! 1. Crypto Craze: The Double-Edged Sword: Ever heard of Bitcoin or Ethereum? These digital currencies are all the rage, promising peer-to-peer transactions without banks. Sounds cool, right? But hold on a second. While crypto offers speed and freedom, it's also a rollercoaster ride. Values can fluctuate wildly, and security breaches are still a concern. Think "decentralized finance" sounds amazing? Do your research! 2. Biometric Boom: Fingerprint Magic or Privacy Panic? Imagine paying with your face scan or fingerprint! That's the future with . Convenient, yes, but privacy concerns loom large. Who has access to your data? How secure is it? Remember, convenience shouldn't come at the cost of your personal information! biometric payments 3. Instantaneous Payments: Speed Demon or Spending Spree? Gone are the days of waiting for transactions to clear. Now, with services like Zelle and Venmo, you can get instant gratification. While this is super handy, it also removes the buffer between impulse and purchase. Be mindful, folks! Don't let instant payments lead to instant regrets. Trending Payment Methods Method Trend Impact Actionable Tip (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) Cryptocurrency Rising popularity, but volatile; regulatory uncertainty Decentralized finance, faster transactions (potential), investment potential Research before investing, understand risks, choose trusted exchanges (Fingerprints, facial scans) Biometric Payments Emerging technology, gaining traction Convenient, secure (potentially), but privacy concerns Choose trusted providers, be mindful of data sharing, and understand how your data is used (Faster transaction processing) Instant Settlements Gaining traction, potential for impulse buys Faster checkouts, but risk of overspending Set budgets, track spending, avoid impulse purchases Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Surging growth, responsible spending needed Flexible payment options, but potential debt traps Use responsibly, understand repayment terms, avoid overspending Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) Pilot programs underway, potential impact on financial systems Potential for financial inclusion, but regulatory uncertainty Stay informed about developments, consider potential benefits and risks Future Clicks: Emerging Payment Trends to Watch Trend Description Potential Benefits Potential Drawbacks Tokenized Payments Digital tokens representing currency, faster transactions Enhanced security, convenience, loyalty programs Risk of data breaches, limited adoption Open Banking Third-party access to financial data with user consent Personalized financial products, improved services Privacy concerns, security risks Internet of Things (IoT) Payments Seamless payments through connected devices Convenience, faster transactions Security vulnerabilities, reliance on technology Social Commerce Payments In-app purchases on social media platforms Streamlined buying experience, targeted advertising Data privacy concerns, potential for addiction Subscription-Based Services Recurring payments for access to goods or services Predictable budgeting, convenience Difficulty canceling, risk of overspending But Hey, It's Not All Doom and Gloom! These trends bring exciting possibilities: Reaching unbanked populations with digital currencies. Financial inclusion: Streamlining business and reducing waiting times. Faster transactions: Biometric payments can potentially be more secure than traditional methods. Enhanced security: Making Informed Choices & Solutions: Here's how to navigate the future of payments like a financial ninja: ️ Don't just add to the cart blindly! Spend a few minutes researching the brands you support. Are they eco-friendly? Do they treat workers fairly? Every click sends a message, so make sure it aligns with your values. Become a Company Detective: Feeling the post-shopping blues? Time to embrace conscious spending! Budgeting apps and mindful tracking can help you avoid impulse buys and stay on top of your finances. Informed clicks lead to financial freedom! Budget Like a Boss: New payment trends are popping up faster than you can say "cryptocurrency." While they offer convenience, staying informed about their potential downsides (like crypto volatility or privacy concerns with biometrics) helps you make informed choices. Knowledge is power, friends! Stay Tech-Savvy: Pro Tip! Don't be afraid to experiment! Trying new payment methods can be fun and insightful. Just remember to research first and prioritize responsible spending habits. By following these tips, you'll transform from a casual clicker to a super-powered consumer, using your financial power to create positive change! Want to Be a Click-Conscious Consumer? Here's The Takeaway: Before "adding to the cart," peek behind the curtain. Are companies aligned with your values? Do they treat workers fairly and prioritize sustainability? Research matters: Ditch impulse buys and embrace budgeting tools. Every click counts, so make them meaningful! Mindful spending is magic: The future of payments is fascinating (and ever-evolving). Monitor new trends and their potential impact, good or bad. Stay informed: Join the Conversation! What are your thoughts on the impact of payment choices? Which trending payment methods excite or concern you? Share your tips for mindful spending and values-driven purchasing!

The Click That Counts: Why Your 2024 Payment Choices Matter More Than Ever

Expression

অভিব্যক্তি

Ausdruck

Expresión

अभिव्यक्ति

表現

표현

Expressão

Выражение

İfade

Sự biểu lộ

表达

122 Stories To Learn About Futurism

82 Stories To Learn About Culture

The circumstances of the general election of 18

The Big Four by Agatha Christie, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book here . THE UNEXPECTED GUEST I. THE UNEXPECTED GUEST I have met people who enjoy a channel crossing; men who can sit calmly in their deck-chairs and, on arrival, wait until the boat is moored, then gather their belongings together without fuss and disembark. Personally, I can never manage this. From the moment I get on board I feel that the time is too short to settle down to anything. I move my suit-cases from one spot to another, and if I go down to the saloon for a meal, I bolt my food with an uneasy feeling that the boat may arrive unexpectedly whilst I am below. Perhaps all this is merely a legacy from one's short leaves in the war, when it seemed a matter of such importance to secure a place near the gangway, and to be amongst the first to disembark lest one should waste precious minutes of one's three or five days' leave. On this particular July morning, as I stood by the rail and watched the white cliffs of Dover drawing nearer, I marvelled at the passengers who could sit calmly in their chairs and never even raise their eyes for the first sight of their native land. Yet perhaps their case was different from mine. Doubtless many of them had only crossed to Paris for the week-end, whereas I had spent the last year and a half on a ranch in the Argentine. I had prospered there, and my wife and I had both enjoyed the free and easy life of the South American continent, nevertheless it was with a lump in my throat that I watched the familiar shore draw nearer and nearer. I had landed in France two days before, transacted some necessary business, and was now en route for London. I should be there some months—time enough to look up old friends, and one old friend in particular. A little man with an egg-shaped head and green eyes—Hercule Poirot! I proposed to take him completely by surprise. My last letter from the Argentine had given no hint of my intended voyage—indeed, that had been decided upon hurriedly as a result of certain business complications—and I spent many amused moments picturing to myself his delight and stupefaction on beholding me. He, I knew, was not likely to be far from his headquarters. The time when his cases had drawn him from one end of England to the other was past. His fame had spread, and no longer would he allow one case to absorb all his time. He aimed more and more, as time went on, at being considered a "consulting detective"—as much a specialist as a Harley Street physician. He had always scoffed at the popular idea of the human bloodhound who assumed wonderful disguises to track criminals, and who paused at every footprint to measure it. "No, my friend Hastings," he would say; "we leave that to Giraud and his friends. Hercule Poirot's methods are his own. Order and method, and 'the little gray cells.' Sitting at ease in our own arm-chairs we see the things that these others overlook, and we do not jump to the conclusion like the worthy Japp." No; there was little fear of finding Hercule Poirot far afield. On arrival in London, I deposited my luggage at an hotel and drove straight on to the old address. What poignant memories it brought back to me! I hardly waited to greet my old landlady, but hurried up the stairs two at a time and rapped on Poirot's door. "Enter, then," cried a familiar voice from within. I strode in. Poirot stood facing me. In his arms he carried a small valise, which he dropped with a crash on beholding me. "Mon ami, Hastings!" he cried. "Mon ami, Hastings!" And, rushing forward, he enveloped me in a capacious embrace. Our conversation was incoherent and inconsequent. Ejaculations, eager questions, incomplete answers, messages from my wife, explanations as to my journey, were all jumbled up together. "I suppose there's some one in my old rooms?" I asked at last, when we had calmed down somewhat. "I'd love to put up here again with you." Poirot's face changed with startling suddenness. "Mon Dieu! but what a chance épouvantable. Regard around you, my friend." For the first time I took note of my surroundings. Against the wall stood a vast ark of a trunk of prehistoric design. Near to it were placed a number of suit-cases, ranged neatly in order of size from large to small. The inference was unmistakable. "You are going away?" "Yes." "Where to?" "South America." "What?" "Yes, it is a droll farce, is it not? It is to Rio I go, and every day I say to myself, I will write nothing in my letters—but oh! the surprise of the good Hastings when he beholds me!" "But when are you going?" Poirot looked at his watch. "In an hour's time." "I thought you always said nothing would induce you to make a long sea voyage?" Poirot closed his eyes and shuddered. "Speak not of it to me, my friend. My doctor, he assures me that one dies not of it—and it is for the one time only; you understand, that never—never shall I return." He pushed me into a chair. "Come, I will tell you how it all came about. Do you know who is the richest man in the world? Richer even than Rockefeller? Abe Ryland." "The American Soap King?" "Precisely. One of his secretaries approached me. There is some very considerable, as you would call it, hocus-pocus going on in connection with a big company in Rio. He wished me to investigate matters on the spot. I refused. I told him that if the facts were laid before me, I would give him my expert opinion. But that he professed himself unable to do. I was to be put in possession of the facts only on my arrival out there. Normally, that would have closed the matter. To dictate to Hercule Poirot is sheer impertinence. But the sum offered was so stupendous that for the first time in my life I was tempted by mere money. It was a competence—a fortune! And there was a second attraction—you, my friend. For this last year and a half I have been a very lonely old man. I thought to myself, Why not? I am beginning to weary of this unending solving of 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 an 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 international criminals or something of that kind; only—" "Only what?" I asked, as he hesitated. "Only that I fancy that it is something on a large scale. Just a little idea of mine, nothing more. Ah, but I must complete my packing. The time advances." "Don't go," I urged. "Cancel your passage and come out on the same boat with me." Poirot drew himself up and glanced at me reproachfully. "Ah, it is that you do not understand! I have passed my word, you comprehend—the word of Hercule Poirot. Nothing but a matter of life or death could detain me now." "And that's not likely to occur," I murmured ruefully. "Unless at the eleventh hour 'the door opens and the unexpected guest comes in.'" I quoted the old saw with a slight laugh, and then, in the pause that succeeded it, we both started as a sound came from the inner room. "What's that?" I cried. "Ma foi!" retorted Poirot. "It sounds very like your 'unexpected guest' in my bedroom." "But how can any one be in there? There's no door except into this room." "Your memory is excellent, Hastings. Now for the deductions." "The window! But it's a burglar then? He must have had a stiff climb of it—I should say it was almost impossible." I had risen to my feet and was striding in the direction of the door when the sound of a fumbling at the handle from the other side arrested me. The door swung slowly open. Framed in the doorway stood a man. He was coated from head to foot with dust and mud; his face was thin and emaciated. He stared at us for a moment, and then swayed and fell. Poirot hurried to his side, then he looked up and spoke to me. "Brandy—quickly." I dashed some brandy into a glass and brought it. Poirot managed to administer a little, and together we raised him and carried him to the couch. In a few minutes he opened his eyes and looked round him with an almost vacant stare. "What is it you want, monsieur?" said Poirot. The man opened his lips and spoke in a queer mechanical voice. "M. Hercule Poirot, 14 Farraway Street." "Yes, yes; I am he." The man did not seem to understand, and merely repeated in exactly the same tone:— "M. Hercule Poirot, 14 Farraway Street." Poirot tried him with several questions. Sometimes the man did not answer at all; sometimes he repeated the same phrase. Poirot made a sign to me to ring up on the telephone. "Get Dr. Ridgeway to come round." The doctor was in luckily; and as his house was only just round the corner, few minutes elapsed before he came bustling in. "What's all this, eh?" Poirot gave a brief explanation, and the doctor started examining our strange visitor, who seemed quite unconscious of his presence or ours. "H'm!" said Dr. Ridgeway, when he had finished. "Curious case." "Brain fever?" I suggested. The doctor immediately snorted with contempt. "Brain fever! Brain fever! No such thing as brain fever. An invention of novelists. No; the man's had a shock of some kind. He's come here under the force of a persistent idea—to find M. Hercule Poirot, 14 Farraway Street—and he repeats those words mechanically without in the least knowing what they mean." "Aphasia?" I said eagerly. This suggestion did not cause the doctor to snort quite as violently as my last one had done. He made no answer, but handed the man a sheet of paper and a pencil. "Let's see what he'll do with that," he remarked. The man did nothing with it for some moments, then he suddenly began to write feverishly. With equal suddenness he stopped and let both paper and pencil fall to the ground. The doctor picked it up, and shook his head. "Nothing here. Only the figure 4 scrawled a dozen times, each one bigger than the last. Wants to write 14 Farraway Street, I expect. It's an interesting case—very interesting. Can you possibly keep him here until this afternoon? I'm due at the hospital now, but I'll come back this afternoon and make all arrangements about him. It's too interesting a case to be lost sight of." I explained Poirot's departure and the fact that I proposed to accompany him to Southampton. "That's all right. Leave the man here. He won't get into mischief. He's suffering from complete exhaustion. Will probably sleep for eight hours on end. I'll have a word with that excellent Mrs. Funnyface of yours, and tell her to keep an eye on him." And Dr. Ridgeway bustled out with his usual celerity. Poirot hastily completed his packing, with one eye on the clock. "The time, it marches with a rapidity unbelievable. Come now, Hastings, you cannot say that I have left you with nothing to do. A most sensational problem. The man from the unknown. Who is he? What is he? Ah, sapristi, but I would give two years of my life to have this boat go to-morrow instead of to-day. There is something here very curious—very interesting. But one must have time—time. It may be days—or even months—before he will be able to tell us what he came to tell." "I'll do my best, Poirot," I assured him. "I'll try to be an efficient substitute." "Ye-es." His rejoinder struck me as being a shade doubtful. I picked up the sheet of paper. "If I were writing a story," I said lightly, "I should weave this in with your latest idiosyncrasy and call it The Mystery of the Big Four." I tapped the pencilled figures as I spoke. And then I started, for our invalid, roused suddenly from his stupor, sat up in his chair and said clearly and distinctly: "Li Chang Yen." He had the look of a man suddenly awakened from sleep. Poirot made a sign to me not to speak. The man went on. He spoke in a clear, high voice, and something in his enunciation made me feel that he was quoting from some written report or lecture. "Li Chang Yen may be regarded as representing the brains of the Big Four. He is the controlling and motive force. I have designated him, therefore, as Number One. Number Two is seldom mentioned by name. He is represented by an 'S' with two lines through it—the sign for a dollar; also by two stripes and a star. It may be conjectured, therefore, that he is an American subject, and that he represents the power of wealth. There seems no doubt that Number Three is a woman, and her nationality French. It is possible that she may be one of the sirens of the demi-monde but nothing is known definitely. Number Four—" His voice faltered and broke. Poirot leant forward. "Yes," he prompted eagerly. "Number Four?" His eyes were fastened on the man's face. Some overmastering terror seemed to be gaining the day; the features were distorted and twisted. "The destroyer," gasped the man. Then, with a final convulsive movement, he fell back in a dead faint. "Mon Dieu!" whispered Poirot, "I was right then. I was right." "You think—?" He interrupted me. "Carry him on to the bed in my room. I have not a minute to lose if I would catch my train. Not that I want to catch it. Oh, that I could miss it with a clear conscience! But I gave my word. Come, Hastings!" Leaving our mysterious visitor in the charge of Mrs. Pearson, we drove away, and duly caught the train by the skin of our teeth. Poirot was alternately silent and loquacious. He would sit staring out of the window like a man lost in a dream, apparently not hearing a word that I said to him. Then, reverting to animation suddenly, he would shower injunctions and commands upon me, and urge the necessity of constant marconigrams. We had a long fit of silence just after we passed Woking. The train, of course, did not stop anywhere until Southampton; but just here it happened to be held up by a signal. "Ah! Sacré mille tonnerres!" cried Poirot suddenly. "But I have been an imbecile. I see clearly at last. It is undoubtedly the blessed saints who stopped the train. Jump, Hastings, but jump, I tell you." In an instant he had unfastened the carriage door, and jumped out on the line. "Throw out the suit-cases and jump yourself." I obeyed him. Just in time. As I alighted beside him, the train moved on. "And now Poirot," I said, in some exasperation, "perhaps you will tell me what all this is about." "It is, my friend, that I have seen the light." "That," I said, "is very illuminating to me." "It should be," said Poirot, "but I fear—I very much fear that it is not. If you can carry two of these valises, I think I can manage the rest." About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Agatha Christie (2023). The Big Four. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/70114/pg70114-images.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org , located at https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html .

THE UNEXPECTED GUEST

Illusions played many roles in the science and art of deception

Stories, News & Mentions about POCUS

Pocus’s Stories on HackerNoon