The ABC Murders

Hastings resumes his narrative with a sense of emotion and reflects on the power of memory. Even now, he says,

I shall, I think, remember that 11th of September all my life. Indeed, whenever I see a mention of the St. Leger my mind flies automatically not to horse racing but to murder. When I recall my own sensations, the thing that stands out most is a sickening sense of insufficiency (173).

The size of the crowds brings home the enormity of their task, and Thora Grey is under a great deal of strain as the only one who has seen the suspect. Hastings notes that Poirot has put aside his dislike and comforts the distraught woman.

The detective assures all present that the events will not go the murderer’s way. His insistence on committing more crimes, Poirot insists, will be the murderer’s undoing. When Franklin Clarke challenges him, Poirot points out that any random observer could have thwarted the Ascher murder and that eventually the murderer will behave so arrogantly that he will be caught. Poirot insists the murderer will be compelled to continue his pattern, and they disperse to cover the area in the hopes of finding something noteworthy.

Before they do, Franklin takes Poirot aside, and, blushing and stammering, assures him that Lady Clarke’s insinuations about Thora are unfounded. He shows Poirot a letter his brother wrote him, speaking of Thora Grey in daughterly tones. Poirot assures Clarke that he makes his own assessments. Poirot and Hastings banter over which of the ladies Hastings plans to escort, as Hastings suggests he should accompany Thora. Hastings accuses Poirot of a preference for Megan, but Poirot, undeterred, reminds his friend that Mary Drower may be a target because of her surname. Hastings agrees. As he departs, Hastings describes Poirot’s contemplative pose. Poirot spins a roulette wheel and says “Rouge—that is a good omen” (183).

At the movies, Mr. Ledbetter, is emotionally engaged in the drama Not a Sparrow. He is irritated because someone nearby has gotten up early and caused a commotion by dropping his hat. Ledbetter, reflects that most people are at the races. He notices the man in the front of him is asleep and others around are attempting to awaken him. Ledbetter faints, missing the discovery that the man is not sleeping, he is dead, and a railway guide is found near his body.

Cust, like Ledbetter, exits the movie theater, feeling content. At his lodgings, he soon notices blood on his sleeve and a knife tucked into his cuff that he does not remember owning or having seen before. He attempts to wash out the stain and is seen by a maid bringing him hot water. Fearing that he hears the voices of incoming police, he escapes out a side door, and then decides to head for the train station. He frantically assures himself that this will be his salvation, declaring, “Yes—there would be crowds there—special trains—if luck were on his side he would do it all right….If only luck were with him….” (190).

At the police station, Crome is interviewing Mr. Ledbetter as a witness from the crime scene. Crome finds Ledbetter unreliable, able only to report that the man entered the theater late and clearly dropped his hat to hide the stabbing motions. Ledbetter speculates wildly as to his appearance, inventing a limp and a person of enormous stature when asked leading questions. A theater employee can report only that he noticed the railway guide near the body after a nearby customer showed him the blood. Before Crome can call other witnesses, he is told that Poirot has arrived.