The Murder on the Links · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie.
Chapter 1
Dedication
Agatha Christie dedicates the book to her husband, acknowledging his shared passion for detective stories and his valuable advice and criticism.
Chapter 2
The Murder on the Links
Hastings recounts meeting a mysterious girl on a train to France, followed by Poirot receiving an urgent appeal for help from a man named Paul Renauld. They travel to the Villa Geneviève in Merlinville, where they discover Renauld has been murdered, stabbed in the back on a golf links. Poirot begins his investigation, noting a disturbed flower bed and a wrist watch, while the local police and the famous detective Giraud arrive on the scene.
Chapter 3
I: A Fellow Traveller
Captain Hastings travels from Paris to London on the Calais express and meets a young, outspoken actress who calls herself 'Cinderella.' They converse about her life in vaudeville, Hastings' war experiences, and his friend Hercule Poirot's detective work, including the Styles case. The girl departs at Calais without revealing her real name, leaving Hastings intrigued.
Chapter 4
II: An Appeal for Help
Poirot and Hastings receive a desperate appeal for help from Mr. Paul Renauld, who fears for his life. Poirot deduces that the postscript was added deliberately to ensure their arrival, indicating the urgency of the case. They travel to Merlinville, with Poirot expressing a premonition that this will be a long and troublesome problem.
Chapter 5
At the Villa Geneviève
Poirot and Hastings arrive at the Villa Geneviève and observe the initial police investigation. The examining magistrate, M. Hautet, and the commissary, M. Bex, interrogate the servants. Françoise insists Madame Daubreuil visited M. Renauld the previous evening, but Denise claims a different, younger English lady came. The body of Paul Renauld is discovered stabbed in an open grave, and his wife is found bound and gagged. Poirot notes inconsistencies, including the dismissal of the chauffeur and the locked front door.
Chapter 6
IV: The Letter Signed "Bella"
Poirot, Hastings, and the French officials examine the study and discover a fragment of a cheque bearing the name 'Duveen' under the hearthrug. The magistrate reveals a passionate, threatening letter from a woman named 'Bella' found in the dead man's overcoat, suggesting a jealous motive. However, Poirot notes that the digging of the grave was a man's work, complicating the case. The will, dated a fortnight prior, leaves everything to Mrs. Renauld. The conflicting testimonies of servants Françoise and Denise about a visitor are also discussed.
Chapter 7
V: Mrs. Renauld’s Story
Mrs. Renauld recounts the night of the murder, describing two masked men who bound her and forced her husband into the dressing-room before taking him away. She reveals that her husband had been anxious for about ten days but had not confided in her. The investigators note a broken wristwatch that still runs, and Mrs. Renauld identifies her husband's body before fainting. Poirot, initially suspicious, is convinced of her genuine grief.
Chapter 8
VI: The Scene of the Crime
Poirot, Hastings, and M. Bex visit the crime scene on the golf course, where they encounter the arrogant detective Giraud from the Paris Sûreté. Giraud dismisses Poirot's methods and focuses on physical clues, while Poirot shows interest in a piece of lead-piping and footprints in a flowerbed that others consider unimportant. The chapter highlights the contrast between Giraud's conventional approach and Poirot's more psychological reasoning.
Chapter 9
VII: The Mysterious Madame Daubreuil
Poirot and Hastings observe Giraud's meticulous search for clues, then visit the mysterious Madame Daubreuil, who is questioned about her relationship with the murdered M. Renauld. She denies knowing anything, but her daughter Marthe later runs after Poirot to ask if anyone is suspected. Poirot evasively mentions two unnamed Chileans, and Hastings is captivated by Marthe's beauty.
Chapter 10
VIII: An Unexpected Meeting
Hastings and Poirot return to the Villa Geneviève. Poirot speaks with the maid Léonie, who reveals that Mr. Renauld had a violent temper and quarreled loudly with Jack just before Jack left for Paris. Hastings then explores the grounds alone and unexpectedly encounters the young woman from the train, whom he calls Cinderella. She persuades him to show her the crime scene, including the shed where the second body was found, but faints upon seeing the corpse.
Chapter 11
IX: M. Giraud Finds Some Clues
M. Giraud presents evidence of a South American cigarette end and match, suggesting the assassins' origin. Poirot counters with psychological clues, noting the gained wristwatch and the absence of footprints in the flower bed. The magistrate interrogates the gardener Auguste without progress. Giraud hints at an accomplice with a key, possibly Madame Daubreuil, while Poirot insists the open door is a deliberate clue.
Chapter 12
X: Gabriel Stonor
Gabriel Stonor, Paul Renauld's secretary, is introduced and questioned by the magistrate. He vehemently denies that Renauld had a mistress, suggesting instead that Madame Daubreuil was blackmailing him. Stonor is surprised to learn of a recent will leaving everything to Mrs. Renauld. Mrs. Renauld then enters and, to everyone's shock, admits that Madame Daubreuil may have been her husband's mistress.
Chapter 13
XI: Jack Renauld
Jack Renauld bursts into the villa, having missed his sailing due to engine trouble and learned of his father's murder from a newspaper. During interrogation, he admits to a violent quarrel with his father over his desire to marry Marthe Daubreuil, which his father opposed. Meanwhile, the dagger used in the murder vanishes from the shed after Captain Hastings carelessly left the door unlocked while escorting a young lady. Giraud sees this as an opportunity to catch the assassin or an accomplice.
Chapter 14
XII: Poirot Elucidates Certain Points
Poirot and Hastings discuss the case, with Poirot explaining his deductions about Mrs. Renauld's genuine grief, the significance of the open door, the flower bed, and the wrist watch. He reveals his belief that the crime occurred earlier than claimed and that Mrs. Renauld is shielding someone.
Chapter 15
XIII: The Girl with the Anxious Eyes
Hastings and Poirot lunch together, discussing Hastings' romantic encounter with a mysterious girl he met on the train. Poirot teases him about his 'Cinderella' and his admiration for Mademoiselle Daubreuil. Poirot announces he must go to Paris to search for the murderer, though he is certain the man is not there, and instructs Hastings to stay and observe Giraud and young Renauld. After Poirot leaves, Hastings decides to visit the girl at the Hôtel du Phare, but discovers she is not registered there and that Poirot had already inquired after her. Frustrated, Hastings returns to the Villa Geneviève, where he overhears Jack Renauld and Marthe Daubreuil expressing their love and fears, and spots Giraud spying nearby.
Chapter 16
XIV: The Second Body
A second body is discovered in the garden shed, stabbed with the same dagger that was stolen from the library. Giraud examines the scene and deduces that the victim was killed elsewhere and dragged to the shed. He finds a woman's long black hair on the dagger handle. Mrs. Renauld, Jack Renauld, and Madame Daubreuil are brought in to identify the body, but none recognize him. The doctor later reveals that the man has been dead for at least forty-eight hours, contradicting Giraud's initial timeline.
Chapter 17
XV: A Photograph
Hastings meets Poirot at the station and informs him of a second murder. Poirot, initially shocked, quickly deduces details about the victim and the crime. At the shed, he examines the body and concludes the man died of an epileptic fit and was stabbed post-mortem. Giraud reveals a woman's hair coiled around the dagger. Poirot then shows Hastings a newspaper cutting of a woman's photograph, which Hastings recognizes as Madame Daubreuil, but Poirot corrects him, identifying her as the notorious Madame Beroldy.
Chapter 18
XVI: The Beroldy Case
This chapter recounts the notorious Beroldy case from twenty years prior. Madame Beroldy, a charming and mysterious woman, was accused of murdering her husband after initially claiming masked Russians were responsible. The trial revealed her romantic past as a fabrication, and her lover Georges Conneau confessed to the crime, implicating her. Despite the evidence, her eloquent defense won her acquittal, and she disappeared with her child.
Chapter 19
XVII: We Make Further Investigations
Poirot and Hastings discuss the case, with Poirot revealing he has solved one of the two crimes but remains uncertain about the second. Hastings recalls the Beroldy case and suspects Madame Daubreuil, but Poirot challenges his reasoning. Poirot sends Jack Renauld on a false errand to Abbalac to get him out of the way, then heads to the Villa Geneviève.
Chapter 20
XVIII: Giraud Acts
Poirot and Hastings return to the Villa Geneviève, where Poirot secretly searches Jack Renauld's room and finds a photograph. Giraud arrives with Jack under arrest for his father's murder. Poirot speaks with Marthe Daubreuil, who reveals she saw a tramp arguing with M. Renauld on the morning of the murder and now believes the tramp is the dead man in the shed. Poirot deduces that Jack lied about seeing Marthe that night and suspects the hair around the dagger belongs to a woman he can identify.
Chapter 21
XIX: I Use My Grey Cells
Poirot and Hastings witness Jack Renauld's arrest by Giraud, who lays out his case based on motive, opportunity, and Madame Renauld's false story. Poirot challenges Giraud's reasoning, pointing out the flaw in the burial logic and the piece of lead piping. After Mrs. Renauld collapses upon seeing her son arrested, Poirot takes Hastings to the beach to review the case, urging him to use his 'grey cells.' Hastings suddenly has an insight about Georges Conneau.
Chapter 22
XX: An Amazing Statement
Poirot and Hastings systematically review the chronological facts of the Renauld case, reconsidering the significance of the letter found in the overcoat, the role of Georges Conneau, and the timing of events. Poirot corrects Hastings' imaginative reconstruction and demonstrates his methodical approach to uncovering the truth.
Chapter 23
XXI: Hercule Poirot on the Case!
Poirot reveals that Paul Renauld planned his own faked death to escape blackmail by Madame Daubreuil, who recognized him as the fugitive Georges Conneau. A tramp's accidental death provided the body for the deception, but the plan went awry when an unknown hand stabbed Renauld, creating a second, real murder. Poirot explains the psychological clues and announces his intention to travel to England to find Bella Duveen as a potential witness.
Chapter 24
XXII: I Find Love
Hastings declares his love for Bella Duveen and helps her escape from Poirot. Poirot and Hastings trace the Dulcibella Kids to Coventry, where Hastings confronts Bella. She confesses to taking the dagger and to the murder of Mr. Renauld, believing him to be Jack. Despite her confession, Hastings vows to protect her.
Chapter 25
XXIII: Difficulties Ahead
Hastings awakens to the realization that his triumph in providing Bella Duveen with an alibi is precarious. He worries about Poirot's calm demeanor, suspecting the detective is plotting to outmaneuver him. Poirot reveals that the Dulcibella Sisters have vanished, and announces they will return to France. Hastings grapples with the moral dilemma of saving Bella at the potential cost of Jack Renauld's life.
Chapter 26
XXIV: “Save Him!”
Poirot and Hastings return to Saint-Omer to visit Jack Renauld in prison. Poirot meets with M. Hautet, who expresses sympathy for Madame Renauld and notes Jack's obstinate silence. Poirot receives a letter from Marthe Daubreuil, who begs him to save Jack. Marthe reveals her suspicion of Mrs. Renauld and Stonor, and Poirot learns she knows her mother's real name but not Renauld's true identity. Poirot wagers 500 francs with Giraud that he will find the murderer first. Stonor expresses his belief in Jack's innocence, but Poirot remains cautious. Poirot reveals that a third paper-knife was made for Jack, complicating the dagger evidence.
Chapter 27
An Unexpected Denouement
At the judicial examination of Jack Renauld, the prisoner appears haggard and distraught. Despite his lawyer's protests, Jack stubbornly admits to being identified at Merlinville station on the night of the murder and acknowledges the aeroplane dagger as his gift to his mother, even allowing the magistrate to suggest he may have taken it to Paris. His apparent self-incrimination is driven by a desperate need to protect Bella Duveen. The proceedings are dramatically interrupted when a veiled woman enters and reveals herself as Bella Duveen, declaring she wishes to confess to the murder of Mr. Renauld.
Chapter 28
XXVI: I Receive a Letter
Hastings receives a letter from Dulcie Duveen, who confesses to having deceived him. She explains that she stole the dagger from the crime scene to protect her twin sister Bella, who she believed had killed Paul Renauld. Dulcie describes her fear and desperation, and her decision to lie to Hastings. After reading the letter, Hastings confronts Poirot, who reveals he knew all along that Dulcie was the twin and not Bella. Poirot reassures Hastings that Dulcie's feelings for him are evident in the letter and promises to find her.
Chapter 29
XXVII: Jack Renauld's Story
Jack Renauld is released from custody and recounts the night of the murder. He describes hearing a cry, finding his father's body, and seeing Bella Duveen. Mrs. Renauld publicly renounces Jack, blaming him for his father's death. Poirot, Hastings, and Cinderella (Dulcie Duveen) conduct a nighttime surveillance at the Villa Geneviève, where they witness a struggle and a cry for help.
Chapter 30
XXVIII: Journey’s End
Poirot reveals that Marthe Daubreuil is the true murderer, motivated by greed and her mother's criminal influence. Jack Renauld learns the truth about his father's past but is encouraged by Poirot to pursue Bella Duveen. Hastings and Dulcie Duveen (Cinderella) become engaged.
