The Murder on the Links · Chapter
X: Gabriel Stonor explained
Gabriel Stonor, Paul Renauld's secretary, is introduced and questioned by the magistrate.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance
Stonor's confident assertion of Renauld's fidelity is contradicted by the love letter and Mrs. Renauld's admission, highlighting the gap between appearance and reality.
Class and Social Mobility
Stonor's cosmopolitan background and his role as secretary to a wealthy man reflect themes of social mobility and the complexities of class.
Characters to notice
- Gabriel Stonor
Renauld's secretary, a worldly man who defends Renauld's character and suggests blackmail.
- M. Hautet
The examining magistrate leading the interrogation of Stonor.
- Mrs. Renauld
Enters the room and shockingly admits Madame Daubreuil may have been her husband's mistress.
- Hercule Poirot
Present during the questioning, asks about the chauffeur Masters.
- Captain Hastings
Narrator present in the room, observing the proceedings.
- M. Giraud
Present but silent, described as appearing anaemic beside Stonor.
Key passages
“I’ll bet my bottom dollar that you’re wrong. The old man never so much as looked at a petticoat. He just adored his own wife. They were the most devoted couple I know.”
Stonor is certain that Renauld was faithful to his wife and never had an affair.
Stonor defends Renauld's character against the magistrate's suspicion of infidelity.
“Blackmail , said Stonor sharply, bringing down his hand with a slam on the table. That’s what it was.”
Stonor proposes that Madame Daubreuil was blackmailing Renauld rather than having a romantic relationship with him.
Stonor offers an alternative explanation for the payments to Madame Daubreuil.
“With a sob of anguish, Mrs. Renauld buried her face in her hands. Her shoulders heaved convulsively. At last she lifted her head, and said brokenly: She may have been.”
Mrs. Renauld, in great distress, admits that Madame Daubreuil might have been her husband's mistress.
Mrs. Renauld's admission shocks Stonor and confirms the magistrate's theory.