# XV: A Photograph explained — The Murder on the Links

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

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance

Jack Renauld's false alibi and the post-mortem stabbing designed to create a misleading impression highlight the theme of deception.

### Psychology and Deduction

Poirot's use of logic and observation to deduce the true cause of death and the identity of Madame Daubreuil underscores the theme of psychological deduction.

## Character check-ins

### Hercule Poirot

Returns from Paris, deduces details of the second murder, examines the body, and reveals the identity of Madame Daubreuil as Madame Beroldy.

### Captain Hastings

Meets Poirot at the station, informs him of the second murder, and later recognizes the photograph of Madame Daubreuil.

### M. Giraud

Present at the shed, agrees with Poirot's deduction about the stabbing, and reveals a woman's hair found on the dagger.

### Dr. Durand

Examines the body, initially misses the foam on the lips, and later confirms Poirot's diagnosis of an epileptic fit.

### M. Hautet

Present at the shed, expresses surprise at the post-mortem stabbing, and compliments Poirot.

### Jack Renauld

Revealed to have arrived in Merlinville on the night of the crime, though he had previously claimed to be in Cherbourg.

## Key lines

> What is that you say? Another murder? Ah, then, I am all wrong. I have failed. Giraud may mock himself at me—he will have reason!

Poirot is shocked by the news of a second murder and fears his theory is wrong, giving Giraud reason to mock him.

_Poirot's initial reaction to Hastings' news._

> The man was stabbed after he was dead.

Poirot concludes that the stabbing occurred post-mortem.

_Poirot's key deduction about the second victim._

> We found this coiled round the handle of the dagger. A woman’s hair.

Giraud reveals a woman's hair was found wrapped around the dagger's handle.

_Giraud's clue intended to mislead._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_on_the_links_se/chapters/xv-a-photograph
- 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