Death on the Nile
Agatha Christie
Contributed by Sharen Felty
Chapter 29
Summary

Poirot explains to Race that they began the investigation with a preconceived idea. Whoever carried out the murder took advantage of this when they heard Jackie and Simon's conversation, and thereby stealing the pistol, as they knew the murder would be pinned on Jackie. Poirot adds that the murder was effectively planned, as explained by the fact that he was drugged through his wine so that he would not be alert while the crime was being committed. He then explains to Dr. Bessner that Linnet’s body had scorching. The nail polish bottles in Linnet’s room were also a disguise since one of the bottles contained red ink and not nail polish. The red ink is the same as that found on the stained handkerchief used to wrap the pistol. Poirot further insinuates that before Louise Bourget’s murder, she had hinted at who the murderer was. She, however, did not come clean since she was using her knowledge to blackmail them. Poirot also expresses how he thought Dr. Bessner was guilty because Louise was killed with a surgical knife. He further explains that in the confusion that ensued after Jackie shot Simon, everyone had left him in the saloon for about two minutes. This is because Fanthorp went to call Dr. Bessner and Cornelia took Jackie to the nurse. Simon took this opportunity and ran, shot his wife, and came back and shot himself in the leg. He then wrapped the gun in a velvet stole and threw it overboard. Colonel Race feels this to be impossible, but Poirot explains to him that Simon was working with Jackie all along. However, Jackie kills Louise since she witnessed Simon getting in and out of Linnet’s cabin. She used Dr. Bessner’s scalpel to murder Louise, as Simon knows where they are kept. Mrs. Otterbourne witnesses Jackie going into Louise’s cabin, and hence she murders her too. Using Mr. Pennington’s pistol. Poirot then tells Dr. Bessner that he needs to speak to his patient, Simon.

Analysis

Poirot has worked out that Simon cooperated with Jackie in the killing of Linnet. Louise, the maid, was killed because she threatened to reveal the identity of the killer. The motive, according to Poirot, was to inherit Linnet’s vast estate, now that he is the rightful heir. Finally, the different murder mysteries are being pieced together. Simon and Jackie tried their best to implicate other people as the murderers but the investigators have done their job well. It is now evident that Simon was only with Linnet for her money, even though he previously denied it. The love for money has however led to many tragedies on the steamer.

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