# XXIV explained — The Man in the Brown Suit

> Chapter companion for The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie.

## What happens

Anne and her party arrive at Bulawayo and then travel to Victoria Falls. Anne feels a strange sense of homecoming and premonition. She receives a note from Harry Rayburn asking her to meet him at the palm gully clearing. As she goes to meet him, she senses danger and is pursued by a tall European man, nearly falling into the chasm.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fate and Coincidence

Anne feels an inexplicable sense of homecoming and premonition at Victoria Falls, as if drawn by fate to Harry Rayburn's hiding place.

### Deception and Trust

Anne must steal away secretly to meet Harry, trusting him despite the danger, while fearing Colonel Race's watchfulness.

## Character check-ins

### Anne Beddingfeld

Experiences a sense of homecoming and premonition at Victoria Falls; receives a note from Harry Rayburn and goes to meet him, sensing danger.

### Suzanne Blair

Travels with Anne, comments on Anne's fey mood, and discusses the safety of the diamonds.

### Colonel Race

Accompanies Anne to the Matoppos and later to the falls; his personality feels overpowering when alone with Anne.

### Sir Eustace Pedler

In a bad temper, dislikes the wooden animals, and retires to his sitting room after dinner.

### Miss Pettigrew

Subdued, avoids Anne, and her face seems vaguely familiar to Anne.

### Harry Rayburn

Sends a note to Anne asking her to meet him at the palm gully clearing; is hunted and in hiding.

## Key lines

> I was still wrapped in that strange dream feeling of exaltation that had succeeded my troubled night. Very strongly implanted in me was the feeling that I had come home.

Anne feels an intense, dreamlike sense of homecoming at Victoria Falls, as if she belongs there.

_Highlights Anne's emotional and almost mystical connection to the place._

> I must see you. I dare not come to the hotel. Will you come to the clearing by the palm gully? In memory of cabin 17 please come. The man you knew as Harry Rayburn.

Harry Rayburn sends a note asking Anne to meet him secretly at the palm gully clearing, invoking their shared past.

_Sets up the clandestine meeting and the danger that follows._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_man_in_the_brown_suit_se/chapters/xxiv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_man_in_the_brown_suit_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_man_in_the_brown_suit_se/chapters