Student Question
What are the guests' plans for the next day in chapter 4 of And Then There Were None?
Quick answer:
In chapter 4 of Agatha Christie's mystery novel And Then There Were None, Justice Wargrave suggests the plan that everyone who was brought to Indian Island under false pretenses leave the island on Fred Narracott's boat when he brings the bread, milk, and mail the next morning. All agree except Anthony Marston, who raises a toast and drinks to crime, chokes on his drink, and dies.
Agatha Christie's murder-mystery novel And Then There Were None, first published in 1939, is the best-selling crime novel, selling over 100 million copies, the best-selling mystery novel, and one of the best-selling novels in history. Agatha Christie adapted her novel into a play with the same title in 1943, in which the ending was changed, eliminating the epilogue, Sir Thomas Legge, and Inspector Maine. Also, the name of General Gordon Macarthur was changed to General Mackenzie to avoid confusing the character in the novel and play with the famous World War II general Douglas MacArthur.
In chapter 4 of the novel, Justice Lawrence Wargrave is continuing his "inquiry" into the truth of the recording which accuses each of the visitors to the island of a murder which has gone undiscovered and unpunished. Each of them tries to explain away or deny the accusation, eventually revealing the true...
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circumstances of each incident.
After all the accused except Miss Brent have given their explanations and excuses and made their denials, Justice Wargrave ends his inquiry for the day. He suggests that for everyone who was brought to Indian Island under false pretenses by their "unknown host" leave the island for their own safety.
He may be dangerous. In my opinion it would be well for us to leave this place as soon as possible. I suggest that we leave tonight. (Chapter 4)
There's no boat on the island, so everyone will have to wait to be taken off the island until Fred Narracott arrives in the morning on his boat with bread, milk, and mail. This is the guests' plan.
There was a chorus of agreement with only one dissentient voice. It was Anthony Marston who disagreed with the majority.
“A bit unsporting, what?” he said. “Ought to ferret out the mystery before we go. Whole thing’s like a detective story. Positively thrilling.” (Chapter 4)
Marston offers a toast to crime, picks up his drink, "and [drinks] it off at a gulp."
Too quickly, perhaps. He choked—choked badly. His face contorted, turned purple. He
gasped for breath—then slid down off his chair, the glass falling from his hand. (Chapter 4)
Dr. Armstrong examines him and proclaims in chapter 5 that he has died.