The Mystery of the Blue Train · Chapter
The Blue Train Again explained
Van Aldin, Knighton, and Poirot travel on the Blue Train to reconstruct the crime.
What happens
Van Aldin, Knighton, and Poirot travel on the Blue Train to reconstruct the crime. Poirot's erratic behavior culminates in a revelation at Lyons: the supposed youth seen on the platform was actually Ada Mason, and he exposes Knighton as the Marquis, wanted by the French police.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearances
Poirot uncovers the disguise of Ada Mason as a youth and reveals Knighton's hidden identity as the Marquis, highlighting the theme of false appearances.
Justice and Morality
Poirot's reconstruction and exposure of the criminal bring about justice for Ruth Kettering's murder.
Characters to notice
- Rufus Van Aldin
Travels on the Blue Train with Poirot and Knighton, struggling with painful memories of his daughter's murder.
- Major Knighton
Accompanies Van Aldin and Poirot; is revealed to be the Marquis and is arrested at Lyons.
- Hercule Poirot
Orchestrates the reconstruction of the crime on the Blue Train, ultimately exposing Knighton as the murderer.
- Ada Mason
Revealed by Poirot to be Kitty Kidd, the woman disguised as a youth who left the train at Lyons.
Key passages
“The Millionaires’ Train, as it is sometimes called, swung round a curve of line at what seemed a dangerous speed.”
The luxury train known as the Millionaires' Train rounded a bend at a perilously high speed.
Sets the scene for the chapter's journey.
“I have been an imbecile. Ma foi, I lose my head nowadays.”
I have been a fool; I'm losing my composure these days.
Poirot's self-deprecation after his failed attempt to leave the train.
“Her name—or the name under which she was known, for many years—is Kitty Kidd, but you, Monsieur Van Aldin, knew her by another name— that of Ada Mason.”
The woman known to you as Ada Mason was actually Kitty Kidd, a name she used for many years.
Poirot reveals the true identity of the maid.