# X: Gabriel Stonor explained — The Murder on the Links

> Chapter companion for The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/chapters/x-gabriel-stonor
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/chapters