# At the Tennis explained — The Mystery of the Blue Train

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

## What happens

Katherine Grey attends a tennis match in Cannes with Major Knighton and Hercule Poirot, where Poirot subtly questions Derek Kettering about a cigarette case. Later, Poirot reveals to Van Aldin that he has recovered the stolen rubies, which the Comte de la Roche had mailed to a Paris newspaper shop, though the Comte's alibi remains intact. Poirot asks for patience until the next morning.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearances

Poirot's guileless questioning about the cigarette case and the Comte's alibi underscore the theme of hidden truths beneath polite surfaces.

### Justice and Morality

Poirot's methodical recovery of the rubies and his insistence on proving the Comte's guilt despite the alibi reflect the pursuit of justice.

## Character check-ins

### Katherine Grey

Attends the tennis match with Knighton and Poirot; is questioned about the cigarette case.

### Major Knighton

Invites Katherine to the tennis; discusses the case and his belief in Poirot's abilities.

### Hercule Poirot

Arranges to meet everyone at the tennis; produces a cigarette case and later reveals the recovered rubies to Van Aldin.

### Derek Kettering

Appears reckless and angry; questioned by Poirot about the cigarette case.

### Rufus Van Aldin

Meets the group at the tennis; is shown the recovered rubies by Poirot and expresses astonishment.

### Comte de la Roche

Implied to have mailed the rubies; his alibi remains unshaken.

## Key lines

> “You confess that you read detective stories, Miss Grey. You must know that anyone who has a perfect alibi is always open to grave suspicion.”

Knighton jokes that in detective fiction, a perfect alibi is often a sign of guilt.

_Knighton uses the trope to discuss the Comte de la Roche's alibi._

> “I look very English, do I not?” “You look wonderful,” said Katherine tactfully.

Poirot, in a white duck suit, asks if he appears English, and Katherine compliments him diplomatically.

_Highlights Poirot's self-consciousness about his appearance and Katherine's tact._

> “The one thing the Comte cannot afford to sacrifice is his social position. At all costs he must stop and brazen it out.”

Poirot explains that the Comte will not flee because his social standing is too important to him.

_Poirot's insight into the Comte's motivations._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxi-at-the-tennis
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters