The Murder on the Links · Chapter
XIII: The Girl with the Anxious Eyes explained
Hastings and Poirot lunch together, discussing Hastings' romantic encounter with a mysterious girl he met on the train.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Sacrifice
Jack Renauld and Marthe Daubreuil express their love and fears, highlighting the theme of romantic devotion amid tragedy.
Class and Social Mobility
Hastings reflects on the importance of birth and breeding, dismissing the mysterious girl as not a lady and asserting that marrying out of one's class never answers.
Psychology and Deduction
Poirot's deduction about Jack and Marthe's relationship based on human nature, and his secret inquiry into the girl's whereabouts, demonstrate his psychological methods.
Characters to notice
- Captain Hastings
Reflects on his meeting with the mysterious girl, denies romantic interest, and later attempts to visit her at the Hôtel du Phare, only to find she is not there.
- Hercule Poirot
Teases Hastings about his romantic encounters, announces his journey to Paris to search for the murderer, and secretly inquires after the girl at the Hôtel du Phare.
- Marthe Daubreuil
Referred to as 'the girl with the anxious eyes'; overheard speaking lovingly with Jack Renauld, expressing fear for his safety.
- Jack Renauld
Overheard reassuring Marthe Daubreuil that their troubles are over and nothing can part them.
- M. Giraud
Spotted by Hastings spying near the hedge, observing Jack and Marthe's conversation.
Key passages
“I had to confess that I did not know. 'Still more romantic! The first rencontre in the train from Paris, the second here. 'Journeys end in lovers' meetings,' is not that the saying?'”
Hastings admits he doesn't know the girl's name, and Poirot teases him about the romantic coincidence of meeting her twice.
Poirot's playful banter about Hastings' romantic encounter.
“I fancy, my friend, that we shall see before very long. But I must start.”
Poirot hints that Marthe's anxious eyes will soon be explained, then insists on leaving for the station.
Poirot's cryptic remark about Marthe Daubreuil.
“I am afraid—for you . . .”
Marthe whispers that she fears for Jack's safety.
Marthe's anxious concern for Jack Renauld.