Part 1, Chapter 1 Summary
An Important Passenger on the Taurus Express
It is Sunday at five o’clock on a winter morning in Syria. The Taurus Express train waits at the railway station in Aleppo. Near the steps to the sleeping car is a uniformed French lieutenant; he is in a conversation with a small man who is muffled so completely that only the tip of his nose and the two points of his curled-up mustache are visible. The temperature is frigid, and Lieutenant Dubose has been assigned to escort the “distinguished stranger” to the train.
Dubose does not know much about this assignment, though there have been rumors and his commanding general’s temper has grown increasing worse in recent days. Then this Belgian stranger, Monsieur Hercule Poirot, arrived a week ago and things grew even tenser. Odd things happened over the course of the last week, as well. One renowned officer committed suicide; another resigned suddenly; some of the anxiety lifted; certain precautions were relaxed; and Dubose’s general suddenly looked ten years younger. Dubose also overheard part of a conversation between his general and the little Belgian man. The general expressed his gratitude to Poirot for saving the honor of the French Army and averting “much bloodshed.” Poirot came because the general once saved his life, and his visit is repayment of that debt.
On the platform, Dubose tells Poirot he will be in Stamboul by tomorrow night; Poirot agrees and says he will spend several days there as a tourist, as he has never been there before. The train will not be leaving for five minutes and Dubose notes that few people are traveling this time of the year and hopes the Taurus does not get “snowed up” as it sometimes does. Both men agree that the weather reports are bad.
The blinds open in one of the sleeping coach compartments. Mary Debenham has not slept much since her journey began in Baghdad Thursday. Her compartment is hot and she is restless, but she smiles when she sees Poirot bundled so completely except for his mustaches. The conductor arrives to warn Poirot that departure is imminent and Poirot should board the train. Poirot removes his hat and Debenham smiles at his egg-shaped head. This is not the kind of man anyone can take too seriously.
Dubose gives his polished farewell speech and Poirot boards the train. The conductor climbs in after him and the train leaves the station. The conductor shows Poirot his room and says only two others are in the car, an English colonel from India and a young Englishwoman. Poirot sleeps until nine o’clock and then goes to the dining car for coffee. He sees the Englishwoman, about twenty-eight years old and obviously an experienced traveler. Poirot surreptitiously observes the woman until the colonel from India enters the car for breakfast. He greets the young woman as Miss Debenham, and she invites Colonel Arbuthnot to join her. Arbuthnot orders eggs and coffee and dismisses Poirot as a mere foreigner.
At lunch, Debenham and Arbuthnot share a table again, completely ignoring Poirot. They share some conversation and discover neither of them is planning to stop in Stamboul. Poirot is amused to see that the colonel is a bit smitten with Debenham. The colonel walks her to her compartment and later Poirot sees them looking out at the passing sites. Debenham sighs and says she wishes she could enjoy the beautiful scenery. The colonel looks grim when he tells her he wishes she were “out of all this.” Though she tells him to hush, the colonel is not happy that she is...
(This entire section contains 797 words.)
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going to be a governess, subjugated to “tyrannical mothers and their tiresome brats.” Debenham laughs and says they are more likely to be afraid of her. Poirot is amused by this odd little comedy.
That night when the train makes a stop, the two English travelers get off the train; after bundling up again, Poirot also goes outside. He recognizes their voices as the colonel calls her Mary and she tells him to wait until everything is finished and behind them. The next day Poirot wonders if the two have quarreled, for they do not talk much and Debenham has dark circles under her eyes.
The train stops unexpectedly and Poirot runs into Debenham; he tells her there is a small fire under the dining car but there is no cause for worry. The woman is unusually distraught when she realizes the train is likely to be late and she might miss her connection. Fortunately, the stop lasts only ten minutes and arrives only five minutes late. The three cross the Bosporus, but Poirot is separated from his fellow travelers and does not see them again, as he goes directly to his hotel.
