The Mystery of the Blue Train · Chapter
XXXI: Mr. Aarons Lunches explained
Hercule Poirot lunches with theatrical agent Mr.
What happens
Hercule Poirot lunches with theatrical agent Mr. Joseph Aarons, seeking information about a former male impersonator named Kitty Kidd, who left the stage three years ago to be with a French nobleman. The conversation shifts to the dancer Mirelle, whom Aarons describes as temperamental and recently seen with a large ruby called 'Heart of Fire,' which she claims is cursed. Poirot learns that Mirelle has taken up with a wealthy patron after Derek Kettering's imprisonment, and he suspects the ruby may be genuine.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearances
Mr. Aarons dismisses Mirelle's ruby as likely colored glass, but Poirot suspects it is genuine, highlighting the theme of hidden truths beneath surface appearances.
Greed and Materialism
The ruby 'Heart of Fire' symbolizes the allure of wealth and the materialistic motives driving characters like Mirelle to seek powerful patrons.
Characters to notice
- Hercule Poirot
Hosts Mr. Aarons at lunch and questions him about Kitty Kidd and Mirelle, showing keen interest in the ruby 'Heart of Fire.'
- Joseph Aarons
Theatrical agent who provides Poirot with background on Kitty Kidd and gossip about Mirelle's recent activities and jewelry.
- Mirelle
Discussed as a temperamental dancer who has taken up with the ex-Prime Minister of Greece and is rumored to wear a large ruby called 'Heart of Fire.'
- Derek Kettering
Mentioned as being in prison, suspected of murdering his wife on Mirelle's account.
- Kitty Kidd
Former male impersonator and character actress who left the stage three years ago to be with a French nobleman in Paris.
Key passages
“Give me a good Porterhouse steak and a tankard of something worth drinking, and anyone can have your French fal-lals and whatnots, your ordoovres and your omelettes and your little bits of quail.”
Mr. Aarons prefers a hearty English meal of steak and ale over fancy French cuisine.
Aarons expresses his culinary preferences, contrasting English and French food.
“Clever as a cartload of monkeys.”
Kitty Kidd was extremely clever and resourceful.
Mr. Aarons uses a colorful simile to describe Kitty Kidd's intelligence.
“They say that young Kettering murdered his wife on her account. I don't know, I am sure. Anyway, he is in prison, and she had to look round for herself, and pretty smart she has been about it.”
Rumor has it that Derek Kettering killed his wife because of Mirelle, but regardless, he is imprisoned and Mirelle has quickly found a new wealthy patron.
Aarons relays gossip about Mirelle's involvement in the murder and her subsequent self-preservation.