Golden Age of Detective Fiction

One evening, Poirot receives a distress call from a young doctor, Dr. Michael Stoddart, seeking his assistance. Upon arriving at the provided address, Poirot discovers Dr. Stoddart amidst the aftermath of a wild party hosted by Mrs. Patience Grace. The scene is chaotic, marked by drug use and a recent altercation involving a firearm. Mrs. Grace had attempted to shoot her boyfriend, Anthony Hawker, resulting in a minor injury to a passing vagrant. Dr. Stoddart had tended to the wounded vagrant, who accepted compensation for his troubles.

Dr. Stoddart’s primary concern is Sheila Grant, whom he met at a social event in the countryside. Sheila, one of the daughters of a retired general, is still recovering from the effects of the drugs consumed at the party. Concerned about her involvement with a reckless crowd where cocaine freely circulates, Dr. Stoddart admonishes her while Poirot introduces himself. Sheila, aware of Poirot’s reputation, is apprehensive of his presence. Drawing a parallel to the mythical horses of Diomedes, Poirot likens drug peddling to cannibalism, highlighting its destructive nature.

Venturing to Mertonshire, Poirot receives insight from his old friend, Lady Carmichael, regarding the Grant family. The girls, including Sheila, are spiraling out of control under their father’s ineffective supervision. Associating with dubious characters like Hawker and Mrs. Larkin, the Grants are entrenched in a dangerous lifestyle. Although Lady Carmichael anticipates Poirot’s involvement in solving a sensational crime, he merely sees his task as taming these “wild horses.”

Meeting General Grant, Poirot confronts him about the drug issue, eliciting vehement protests and threats. As he departs, Poirot accidentally stumbles against the General, furthering his investigation.

Attending a gathering at Mrs. Larkin’s residence, Poirot encounters Sheila’s sister, Pamela, along with Hawker and Sheila. Hawker, a hunter, seeks to replenish his flask while Sheila learns of Poirot’s recent visit to her father. Poirot warns her about the dangers of drug abuse before overhearing Pam’s cryptic remark about the flask. Investigating further, Poirot discovers the flask filled with white powder, indicating foul play.

Later, at Lady Carmichael’s, Poirot reveals startling information to Sheila.

Contrary to their belief, they are not General Grant’s daughters; he is, in fact, the head of a drug syndicate, exploiting the girls to push narcotics. Poirot explains his earlier actions, revealing Grant’s deception regarding his ailment. Sheila and Pam’s scheme to implicate Hawker becomes evident. Poirot persuades Sheila to testify against Grant, likening her transformation to the legendary horses’ return to normalcy after consuming their master. He assures Dr. Stoddart that with his guidance, Sheila will steer clear of her criminal inclinations.

The Review

This story is so milqetoast after the robust imagery of the previous two stories, which is a shame since the Diomedes horses eat the flesh of their victims, which could have been rather dark. Christie alludes to drug taking as “eating the flesh” of others, but outside of a few oblique references to the original myth, this story functions without it. I get the sense if she were to push the metaphor too far, her audience would balk given that while Christie acknowledges drug using in her books, it is always described in the most genteel terms.

I liked the twist that the General is basically a pimp and his “daughters” are young ladies used to mule cocaine, but I’m not sure it’s a fair play mystery- there’s nothing that would tip off the reader that this is the scheme. In fact, the General confesses everything after a few forthright accusations from Poirot about how “gout and being an old Indian general are out of date” but does not offer any concrete proof of his suppositions. Again, I think Christie is a bit out of her depth and glosses over the machinations of how this operation came to be and worked in a sentence.

Little thought is given to the other girls in the scheme and what becomes of them once it is broken up, but Sheila and Dr. Stoddart are alluded to living happily ever after, so that’s nice.

This sparse tale is fine, but there are better ones in the collection.

The Labors of Hercules

Story 1: The Nemean Lion

Story 2: The Lernaean Hydra

Story 3: The Arcadian Deer

Story 4: The Erymanthian Boar

Story 5: The Augean Stables

Story 6: The Stymphalean Birds

Story 7: The Cretan Bull