The Mystery of Mrs. Christie

December 14, 1926

Agatha looks at a series of newly purchased gowns. She dons one, feeling attractive for the first time in a long time. She looks out the window of her hotel room, seeing a party gathering on the lawn (a group revealed in Chapter 46 to be journalists, not partygoers). She heads down to the lobby, where she waves to some of the other guests with whom she had enjoyed diversions. Suddenly, she sees a man (revealed in the next chapter to be Kenward) at the base of the staircase.

December 14, 1926

The man is accompanied by two other men; Agatha considers ignoring them, then decides against it. Kenward introduces himself and asks Agatha for a word in private. Goddard accompanies them. Agatha nervously asks if she’s in trouble. Kenward says she isn’t, but that a chat with the third man (revealed in the next chapter to be Archie) will clarify matters. One of the guests asks if these men are “ringers” that Agatha has brought in to play pool with them, revealing as he speaks that she has been using the name “Mrs. Neele” at the hotel.