The Mystery of the Blue Train · Chapter
Heart of Fire explained
Rufus Van Aldin returns to the Savoy and meets his secretary, Major Knighton.
What happens
Rufus Van Aldin returns to the Savoy and meets his secretary, Major Knighton. He receives a letter from his daughter Ruth Kettering, which visibly upsets him. He reveals a priceless ruby necklace, including the famous 'Heart of Fire', intended as a gift for Ruth, and expresses his concern over her unhappy marriage.
Themes in this chapter
Wealth and Power
Van Aldin's casual handling of a fortune in rubies and his ability to buy 'a good portion of the earth' for his daughter underscore his immense wealth and influence.
Love and Marriage
Van Aldin's concern for Ruth's unhappiness in her marriage to Derek Kettering highlights the theme of marital discord and paternal love.
Characters to notice
- Rufus Van Aldin
Returns to the Savoy, receives a troubling letter from his daughter, and shows Knighton the ruby necklace he plans to give her.
- Major Knighton
Van Aldin's secretary, sorting correspondence in the suite; he is shown the Heart of Fire rubies.
- Ruth Kettering
Mentioned as having telephoned and written to her father; her letter upsets Van Aldin.
Key passages
“I can buy a good portion of the earth for Ruth, if it would be any use to her, but it isn't. I can hang these things round her neck and give her a moment or two's pleasure, maybe, but — When a woman is not happy in her home —”
Van Aldin laments that his wealth cannot buy his daughter's happiness in her troubled marriage.
Reveals Van Aldin's emotional vulnerability and the limits of material wealth.