# III: The Night of the Tragedy explained — The Mysterious Affair at Styles

> Chapter companion for The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie.

## What happens

Hastings is awakened by Lawrence Cavendish, who reports that Mrs. Inglethorp is gravely ill and has locked herself in her room. The household gathers, and after breaking down the door, they find her suffering violent convulsions. Dr. Bauerstein arrives and suspects poisoning, while Dr. Wilkins is called. Mrs. Inglethorp dies, and a postmortem is agreed upon. Hastings proposes bringing in Hercule Poirot to investigate, and John Cavendish reluctantly agrees.

## Themes in this chapter

### Poison and Scientific Detection

Dr. Bauerstein's suspicion of poisoning and the decision for a postmortem highlight the role of forensic science in uncovering the truth.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

The locked room and Alfred Inglethorp's absence create an air of mystery, suggesting that things are not as they seem.

## Character check-ins

### Arthur Hastings

Narrator; awakened by Lawrence, participates in breaking down the door, and later suggests calling Poirot.

### Lawrence Cavendish

Awakens Hastings; shows extreme agitation and a ghastly look upon entering the room.

### John Cavendish

Takes charge of the crisis; agrees to postmortem and to Hastings' plan to involve Poirot.

### Emily Inglethorp

Found dying in her locked room; suffers violent convulsions and dies after uttering 'Alfred—Alfred—'.

### Mary Cavendish

Present with Cynthia; reacts with horror when Hastings suggests poisoning, then flees upstairs.

### Dr. Bauerstein

Arrives unexpectedly; suspects poisoning and insists on a postmortem; locks the rooms.

## Key lines

> Never have I seen such a ghastly look on any man’s face. He was white as chalk, the candle he held in his shaking hand was sputtering onto the carpet, and his eyes, petrified with terror, or some such kindred emotion, stared fixedly over my head at a point on the further wall.

Lawrence's face was deathly pale, and he stared in terror at something on the wall, his candle trembling and dripping wax.

_Hastings describes Lawrence's horrified reaction upon entering Mrs. Inglethorp's room._

> I believe she has been poisoned! I’m certain Dr. Bauerstein suspects it.

Hastings confides to Mary that he thinks Mrs. Inglethorp was poisoned and that Dr. Bauerstein shares this suspicion.

_Hastings voices his deduction to Mary Cavendish._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters/iii-the-night-of-the-tragedy
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysterious_affair_at_styles_se/chapters