The Erymanthian Boar: a Hercule Poirot Short Story(1940)

Αχιλλέας ΚυριαζήςAgatha Christie

We progress on to the fourth challenge of Hercule Poirot as he endeavours to duplicate the Labours of Hercules of Greek mythology.

The Erymanthian beast took the form of a wild boar, a type of pig. It lived near the Erymanthus wetlands. Boars are know for their irrational temper; their defence is often a crazed charge. Hercules task was to capture it alive and bring it to the king in Mycenae.

After finishing the previous challenge in Switzerland, Poirot decides to visit the Alps. While buying his ticket for a funicular train up a mountain near Andermatt, he gets recognized by an old friend, Lementeuil, the Swiss Commissioner of Police. The commissioner is in pursuit of Marrascaud, the murderer of a Paris bookmaker. Can Poirot help? As his friend notes, "(The criminal) is not a man - he is a wild boar - one of the most dangerous killers alive today." This challenge is dangerous. The boar is cornered at the top of a mountain and will do anything to ensure he is not caught by Hercule Poirot.

Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Erymanthian Boar." Collections of short stories by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. Individual entries for all Poirot short stories can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Hercule Poirot Short Story."