Murder on the Orient Express - Agatha Christie [61]
Edward Masterman—English subject. Berth No. 4.
Second Class
Motive: Possibly arising out of connection with deceased, whose valet he was.
Alibi: From midnight to 2 a.m. (Vouched for by Antonio Foscarelli.)
Evidence Against Him or Suspicious Circumstances: None, except that he is the only man the right height or size to have worn the Wagon Lit uniform. On the other hand, it is unlikely that he speaks French well.
Mrs Hubbard—American subject. Berth No. 3.
First Class.
Motive: None.
Alibi: From midnight to 2 a.m.—None.
Evidence Against Her or Suspicious Circumstances: Story of man in her compartment is substantiated by the evidence of Hardman and that of the woman Schmidt.
Greta Ohlsson—Swedish subject. Berth No. 10.
Second Class.
Motive: None.
Alibi: From midnight to 2 a.m. (Vouched for by Mary Debenham). Note.—Was last to see Ratchett alive.
Princess Dragomiroff—Naturalized French subject. Berth No. 14.
First Class.
Motive: Was intimately acquainted with Armstrong family, and godmother to Sonia Armstrong.
Alibi: From midnight to 2 a.m. (Vouched for by conductor and maid.)
Evidence Against Her or Suspicious Circumstances: None.
Count Andrenyi—Hungarian subject. Diplomatic passport. Berth No. 13.
First Class.
Motive: None.
Alibi: Midnight to 2 a.m. (Vouched for by conductor—this does not cover period from 1 to 1.15.)
Countess Andrenyi—As above. Berth No. 12.
Motive: None.
Alibi: Midnight to 2 a.m. Took trional and slept. (Vouched for by husband. Trional bottle in her cupboard.)
Colonel Arbuthnot—British subject. Berth No. 15.
First Class
Motive: None.
Alibi: Midnight to 2 a.m. Talked with MacQueen till 1.30. Went to own compartment and did not leave it. (Substantiated by MacQueen and conductor.)
Evidence Against Him or Suspicious Circumstances: Pipe-cleaner.
Cyrus Hardman—American subject. Berth No. 16.
Second Class
Motive: None known.
Alibi: Midnight to 2 a.m. Did not leave compartment. (Substantiated by MacQueen and conductor.)
Evidence Against Him or Suspicious Circumstances: None.
Antonio Foscarelli—American subject. (Italian birth.) Berth No. 5.
Second Class
Motive: None known.
Alibi: Midnight to 2 a.m. (Vouched for by Edward Masterman.)
Evidence Against Him or Suspicious Circumstances: None, except that weapon used might be said to suit his temperament. (Vide M. Bouc.)
Mary Debenham—British subject. Berth No. 11.
Second Class
Motive: None.
Alibi: Midnight to 2 a.m. (Vouched for by Greta Ohlsson.)
Evidence Against Her or Suspicious Circumstances: and her refusal to explain same.
Hildegarde Schmidt—German subject. Berth No. 8. Second Class.
Motive: None.
Alibi: Midnight to 2 a.m. (Vouched for by conductor and her mistress.) Went to bed. Was aroused by conductor at 12.38 approx. and went to mistress.
Note: The evidence of the passengers is supported by the statement of the conductor that no one entered or left Mr Ratchett’s compartment between the hours of midnight to 1 o’clock (when he himself went into the next coach) and from 1.15 to 2 o’clock.
‘That document, you understand,’ said Poirot, ‘is a mere précis of the evidence we heard, arranged that way for convenience.’
With a grimace M. Bouc handed it back.
‘It is not illuminating,’ he said.
‘Perhaps you may find this more to your taste,’ said Poirot with a slight smile as he handed him a second sheet of paper.
Chapter 2
Ten Questions
On the paper was written:
Things needing explanation.
The handkerchief marked with the initial H. Whose is it?
The pipe-cleaner. Was it dropped by Colonel Arbuthnot? Or by someone else?
Who wore the scarlet kimono?
Who was the man or woman masquerading in Wagon Lit uniform?
Why do the hands of the watch point to 1.15?
Was the murder committed at that time?
Was it earlier?
Was it later?
Can we be sure that Ratchett was stabbed