The Mystery of the Blue Train · Chapter
XXXII: Katherine and Poirot Compare Notes explained
Katherine and Poirot meet at the Savoy in London to compare notes on the Blue Train murder.
What happens
Katherine and Poirot meet at the Savoy in London to compare notes on the Blue Train murder. Poirot admits he is not satisfied with the case against Derek Kettering, focusing on the unexplained disfigurement of Ruth Kettering's face. He reveals his investigations in Paris, including a visit to the Russian Embassy and threats involving the Press, and his discovery of a man he calls 'Monsieur le Marquis.' Katherine shares a newspaper cutting that Poirot finds significant. Both hint at a deeper truth, and Katherine expresses emotional strain, urging a resolution soon.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearances
Poirot questions the surface facts of the case, focusing on the disfigured face as an unexplained detail that challenges the straightforward narrative against Derek Kettering.
Justice and Morality
Poirot's insistence on uncovering the truth, even after the police are satisfied, underscores a moral commitment to justice beyond mere legal conclusions.
Characters to notice
- Hercule Poirot
Dines with Katherine at the Savoy, admits dissatisfaction with the case against Derek Kettering, and reveals his investigations in Paris and London.
- Katherine Grey
Meets Poirot at the Savoy, shares a newspaper cutting, and expresses emotional urgency for the case to be resolved.
- Derek Kettering
Mentioned as the prime suspect; Poirot questions whether he would have disfigured the victim's face.
- Major Knighton
Mentioned as someone Katherine has seen since returning to England.
- Rufus Van Aldin
Mentioned as remaining in London; Poirot plans to see him soon.
- Lenox Tamplin
Mentioned as having written a short letter to Katherine and having had an interesting interview with Poirot.
Key passages
“I am not satisfied, Mademoiselle; no, I am not satisfied. The facts, the main facts, led straight to Monsieur Kettering. But there is one thing that has been left out of account.”
Poirot tells Katherine he remains unconvinced by the case against Derek Kettering, noting that a key detail has been overlooked.
Poirot expresses his doubt about the straightforward conclusion of the investigation.
“The disfigured face of the victim. I have asked myself, Mademoiselle, a hundred times, ‘Was Derek Kettering the kind of man who would deal that smashing blow after having committed the murder?’”
Poirot repeatedly questions whether Derek Kettering would have brutally disfigured Ruth's face after killing her.
Poirot focuses on the disfigurement as a crucial, unexplained element of the crime.
“I went there to get certain information. I saw a particular personage and I threatened him—yes, Mademoiselle, I, Hercule Poirot, threatened him.”
Poirot admits he went to the Russian Embassy to obtain information and threatened a person there.
Poirot reveals his unorthodox methods during his Paris investigation.
“There has been a doubt all along in my mind as to whether the robbery and the murder were done by the same person. For a long time I was not sure—”
Poirot has long suspected that the theft of the jewels and the murder might have been committed by different individuals.
Poirot shares his evolving theory about the separation of the two crimes.
“It—it mustn’t be much longer, you understand. I—I can’t go on much longer.”
Katherine pleads with Poirot to bring the case to a close soon, as she is emotionally exhausted.
Katherine reveals her emotional strain and urgency for resolution.
