The Murder on the Links · Chapter
XXVIII: Journey’s End explained
Poirot reveals that Marthe Daubreuil is the true murderer, motivated by greed and her mother's criminal influence.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Sacrifice
Bella and Jack's willingness to die for each other, and Dulcie's help in retrieving the dagger, exemplify sacrificial love.
Family and Heredity
Poirot discusses heredity and Jack's dual inheritance from his father (criminal) and mother (virtuous).
Crime and Its Consequences
Marthe Daubreuil's murder of Renauld for money and the lasting impact on Jack's life.
Characters to notice
- Hercule Poirot
Reveals Marthe Daubreuil as the murderer, advises Jack to confess to Bella, and receives a foxhound model as a reward.
- Captain Hastings
Chronicles the events and becomes engaged to Dulcie Duveen, whom he calls Cinderella.
- Jack Renauld
Learns the truth about his father's past and Marthe's guilt; decides to start a new life in South America and is urged to reconcile with Bella.
- Bella Duveen
Jack is encouraged to confess everything to her; her love for him is highlighted as genuine.
- Mrs. Renauld
Supports Jack through the revelations and is advised by Poirot to tell him the truth about his father.
- Dulcie Duveen
Helps Poirot by retrieving the souvenir dagger; becomes engaged to Hastings.
Key passages
“To hide the truth, never does it avail, madame! Be brave and tell him everything.”
Concealing the truth is never beneficial; have courage and reveal everything to him.
Poirot advises Mrs. Renauld to confess the past to Jack.
“Go to her as a boy no longer, but a man—a man bowed by the fate of the Past, and the fate of Today, but looking forward to a new and wonderful life.”
Approach her not as a youth, but as a man shaped by past and present hardships, yet hopeful for a bright future.
Poirot encourages Jack to propose to Bella with honesty and maturity.
“Cinderella married the Prince, you remember. I’m not a Prince, but—”
Cinderella wed the prince, as you recall; I may not be royalty, but...
Hastings proposes to Dulcie, comparing their story to Cinderella.