# Van Aldin Gets a Telegram explained — The Mystery of the Blue Train

> Chapter companion for The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie.

## What happens

Rufus Van Aldin, working in his suite at the Savoy during a thick London fog, is troubled by his secretary Knighton's chance encounter in Paris with Ruth Kettering's maid, who claimed Ruth had met a friend unexpectedly. Van Aldin suspects the Comte de la Roche is involved. He receives a telegram from the Nice police informing him that Ruth has been murdered and robbed. Van Aldin resolves to travel to the Riviera immediately, and Mr. Goby reports that Derek Kettering left for the Riviera on the Blue Train the previous day, accompanied by the dancer Mirelle.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearances

Van Aldin's suspicion that Ruth is being deceived by the Comte de la Roche is heightened by the maid's evasive story about meeting a friend unexpectedly.

### Wealth and Power

Van Aldin's wealth and influence are evident as he commands his secretary and private detective, and immediately arranges travel to the Riviera upon receiving the tragic news.

## Character check-ins

### Rufus Van Aldin

Working in his Savoy suite, agitated by news of Ruth's maid in Paris, receives telegram of Ruth's murder, and prepares to leave for Nice.

### Major Knighton

Secretary to Van Aldin, reports seeing Ruth's maid in Paris and helps arrange travel after the murder news.

### Ruth Kettering

Mentioned as having sent her maid to the Ritz in Paris; later reported murdered and robbed on the Riviera.

### Derek Kettering

Reported by Mr. Goby to have left London for the Riviera on the Blue Train the previous morning.

### Mirelle

Mentioned as having traveled on the same Blue Train as Derek Kettering.

### Goby

Visits Van Aldin to report on Derek Kettering's movements.

## Key lines

> There is one thing no man can do, and that is to get a woman to listen to reason. Somehow or other, they don't seem to have any kind of sense.

Van Aldin expresses frustration that women are unable to be reasoned with, implying they are easily fooled by charming scoundrels.

_Reflects Van Aldin's bitter view of women's judgment, particularly regarding his daughter's involvement with the Comte de la Roche._

> Talk of woman's instinct—why, it is well known all the world over that a woman is the surest mark for any rascally swindler.

Van Aldin dismisses the idea of women's intuition, claiming women are actually the easiest targets for con artists.

_Highlights the theme of deception and the vulnerability of women in Van Aldin's perspective._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xiii-van-aldin-gets-a-telegram
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters