Poirot Investigates · Chapter
The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim explained
Poirot bets Inspector Japp that he can solve the mysterious disappearance of financier Mr.
What happens
Poirot bets Inspector Japp that he can solve the mysterious disappearance of financier Mr. Davenheim without leaving his chair. Davenheim vanished after leaving his home to post letters, and a safe was later found burgled. Suspicion falls on Mr. Lowen, who had an appointment that evening. Poirot deduces that Davenheim staged his own disappearance and embezzled bank funds, converting them into jewels. He predicts the bank's failure, which is confirmed the next day, and reveals that Davenheim is hiding in plain sight.
Themes in this chapter
Appearance vs. Reality
Davenheim appears as a respectable banker but is actually an embezzler who stages his own disappearance.
The Power of Deduction
Poirot solves the case from his chair using logic and observation, without physical investigation.
Greed and Crime
Davenheim's greed leads him to embezzle funds and convert them into jewels, orchestrating a fake crime.
Characters to notice
- Hercule Poirot
Accepts Japp's bet to solve the case from his chair; deduces the truth behind Davenheim's disappearance and the bank's failure.
- Captain Hastings
Narrates the chapter; jots down what he considers key points, which Poirot corrects.
- Inspector Japp
Bets Poirot a fiver; provides initial facts and later receives Poirot's telegram predicting the bank's collapse.
- Mr. Davenheim
The missing financier; Poirot reveals he staged his own disappearance and embezzled funds.
- Mr. Lowen
Business visitor suspected of burglary; Poirot argues the evidence against him is flawed.
- Billy Kellett
Jailbird whose story implicates Lowen; his testimony is noted but deemed unreliable by Poirot.
Key passages
“I regard myself as a consulting specialist.”
Poirot sees himself as an expert who solves cases by analyzing facts without leaving his home.
Poirot defines his unique method of deduction.
“I expect a big smash in a few days—perhaps sooner.”
Poirot predicts the Davenheim bank will collapse imminently.
Poirot foresees the financial failure based on his deductions.
“How did you know, Monsieur Poirot? How the blazes could you know?”
Japp is astonished that Poirot predicted the bank's failure.
Japp's reaction confirms Poirot's accurate foresight.