Poirot, Dr. Constantine, and M. Bouc ponder the information and clues they have...
They three are puzzled by the information they have received. The only fact known for sure are the twelve stab wounds. The time of the murder was based off of the broken watch, so it could either be right or wrong. It's hard to prove whether Hardman is really a detective or not, because the train is still stuck in snow. The small, dark man with a womanish voice suspect was based on four direct or indirect testimonies. The three discuss whether he is real and if so, where is he or who is wearing a disguise? Perhaps the woman with the red kimono and the small man in the conductor's uniform were accomplices. Poirot says the kimono will probably be found in a man's luggage, and. if Hildegarde Schmidt is innocent, the uniform will be found in her luggage. While the Doctor and M.Bouc think about this odd prophecy, Mrs. Hubbard comes in. She yells that she found a bloody knife in her purse, and faints!
The knife is inspected and Mrs. H gets some liquor. M. Bouc comes up with a theory: the murderer left Ratchett's room, came through the connecting door to Mrs.H's room, drops the knife in her purse, and ran out her door. Poirot nods, but gives one of his puzzled looks. Mrs. H moves into another room. Her luggage is inspected, but nothing is found.
Poirot searches the other passengers' luggage. The Colonel has a pack of pipe cleaners. Poirot talks to the Princess, who wanted a brutal murder for Cassetti, but wouldn't have the strength to commit one. Miss Debenham is talked with, and she starts to lose her temper. The uniform is in Hildegarde's luggage. Poirot calms her, saying she is innocent and "you are a good cook, are you not?" She replies: "Yes, indeed, all my ladies have said so. I-", she looks scared again. A key is found in the uniform's pocket, one that could unlock all doors. Poirot finds the kimono in his luggage.
After meeting up with M.Bouc and the doctor, Poirot says he found some valuable information. MacQueen mentioned that Ratchett didn't know any languages. On the night of the murder, the conductor knocked on his door. Someone in his compartment said it was an accident, in French. The phrase was not an easy one to say, either. They go back to the watch, and how if the time was changed the only good time to go in Ratchett's compartment would have been when the train was at a stop. The handkerchief could belong to Mrs. H, Hildegarde, or Hermione Debenham. The doctor thinks it belongs to Mrs. H, M. Bouc thinks Ms. Debenham. The doctor thinks the pipe cleaner was dropped on purpose to incriminate the Colonel. No one could be disguised as the small dark man, because they are too tall, too broad, or didn't leave their rooms the whole night. As they talk about how two people could have committed the crime, Poirot wants to know who did it.
As confusing as the mystery keeps getting, Poirot has a few theories. He says: "a remark made by M. Bouc...we were surrounded by people of all classes, of all nationalities...somewhat rare at this time of year...the position of Mrs. Hubbard's sponge-bag, the name of Mrs. Armstrong's mother, the detective methods of M. Hardman, the suggestion of M. McQueen that Ratchett himself destroyed the charred note we found, Princess Dragomiroff's Christian name, and a grease spot on a Hungarian passport." Poirotthinks the Countess' real name is Helena Goldenberg, sister of Mrs. Armstrong. Countess Andrenyi spilled grease on her passport to not show her Christian name and possible suspicion and Princess Dragomiroff lied about knowing where Daisy's aunt is.
The Countess confesses she is Helena Goldberg. She didn't want to be blamed for the murder. She stills says the handekerchief isn't hers. Poirot asks about the nurse who killed herself. Her name was Suzanne and she was French, but Helena doesn't now her last name. Helena says the name of the governess was Stengleberg.
Poirot thinks Helena is innocent. Princess Dragomiroff walks in, saying: "I believe, Monsieur...that you have a handkerchief of mine." The Princess explains that the "H" on the handkerchief is the Russian character "N." She doesn't know how the handkerchief got in Ratchett's room.
The Colonel is interviewed again. He says he didn't kill Ratchett, and didn't even talk to him. Poirot about what Ms. Debenham said to the Colonel: "Not now. When it's all over. When it's behind us," but Arbuthnot refuses to tell him.
Ms. Debenham is talked to, and Poirot gets her to admit being the governess. She was afraid that if people found out she had any connection to the Armstrongs they might not hire her. Mary tells Poirot she did not recognize Countess Andrenyi, since she hadn't seen her for three years. Mary breaks down in tears and Colonel Arbuthnot, still in the room, threatens Poirot. M. Bouc is, again, astonished at Poirot's abilities, he cannot figure how he knew the Mary worked at the Armstrong house. Poirot tells M. Bouc he knew it was Mary because the Countess tried so hard to protect her. The Countess described her governess as a big, red-haired woman—the exact opposite of Mary. The countess, thinking of Debenham, told Poirot the name of her governess was Freebody. In London there is a store Debenham and Freebody—it was the first name she thought of.
M. Bouc says he wouldn't be surprised if everyone on the coach had something to do with the Armstrong family. Poirot tells him that his remark is profound. The Italian is called once again to the dining car. Antonio admits he was the Armstrong's chauffer, but that he didn't murder Ratchett. Greta Ohlsson is called in. She admits she was Daisy Armstrong's nurse and regrets not telling Poirot earlier. Masterman is called next. Masterman immediately approaches Poirot and immediately tells Poirot he was Colonel Armstrong's batman ( I'm not sure what that is) in the War and was his valet afterwards. Masterman pleads Antonio's innocence, saying Antonio is harmless.
Hardman comes in. Hardman says he had no connection, and thinks he is the only one without a connection. Hardman asks if Poirot has any idea about the identities of the American and her maid. Poirot, smiling, suggests they might be the cook and the housekeeper. Hardman asks if Poirot knows who murdered Ratchett. Poirot replies: "I have known for some time." He tells Hardman to call all of the passengers into the room.
Come back next week for the conclusion!
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