Death On The Nile

Race and Poirot examine the body of Louise Bourget, who was stabbed to death approximately an hour before. Her “dark feline face [is] convulsed, as though with surprise and fury” (307) and her hand is still clutching the corner of a thousand-franc bill.

Race and Poirot infer that Louise knew the murderer’s identity and attempted to blackmail him; while she was counting the money, he stabbed her. Poirot adds ruefully that he and Race should have realized that Louise had witnessed the murder based on her statement earlier that day (“Naturally, if I had been unable to sleep, if I had mounted the stairs, then perhaps I might have seen this assassin…” (308)). Poirot adds that the two murders suggest a killer who possesses “courage, audacity, bold execution, lightning action” (309).

Bessner examines the body and declares that the murder weapon must have been a long, thin knife, like the surgical ones he has in his cabin. Race asks whether any of Bessner’s knives are missing, and Bessner indignantly rejects the suggestion that he could have murdered Louise and then sends Poirot and Race away so that he can attend to his patient, Simon, who is still staying in Bessner’s cabin.