Death on the Nile

Pennington is shocked that his revolver was used to commit murder and maintains that he was quietly writing letters the whole time, though he can’t produce a witness. Pennington tries to explain how someone would know about his revolver and says he mentioned it in the saloon one evening when most of the other passengers were around to hear. Poirot invites Pennington to his cabin in half an hour to discuss the case in more detail.

Race and Poirot leave Pennington, agreeing that he seems afraid. As they reach the promenade deck, Mrs. Allerton comes up to them and offers to share a double cabin with Rosalie, so she doesn’t have to go back to the one she used to keep with her mother. Poirot agrees that this is a good idea.

Cornelia comes onto the deck. She asks Poirot how the culprit could’ve possibly gotten away. Poirot mentions three distinct escape routes, and Jacqueline notes that the murderer could have swung over the railing onto the deck below. Tim notes that this would be possible since there’s a brief period of shock after a gun goes off. Race asks everyone to clear the area so that they can bring out the dead body.

As he leaves the area, Poirot overhears Ferguson and Cornelia arguing about Western and Eastern attitudes toward death. Ferguson calls Linnet, Louise, and Mrs. Otterbourne all parasites, but Cornelia defends them. As Poirot passes, Ferguson angrily tells him that Cornelia’s father was financially ruined by Linnet’s and died in poverty, and yet still Cornelia defends Linnet. Cornelia says of course she felt bad for her father, but that she prefers to focus on the future. Ferguson agrees and quite suddenly proposes to marry her. She takes it as a joke, but he insists he’s serious. Ultimately, she says Ferguson just wouldn’t be reliable, and she leaves in a hurry for her cabin.

Ferguson asks Poirot what he thinks of Cornelia. Poirot responds that “she has a great deal of character,” which Ferguson agrees with. He goes over to Miss Van Schuyler and asks permission to marry Cornelia. He admits that Cornelia refused him but insists that he’ll keep trying until she says yes. Miss Van Schuyler is not pleased. When he asks what Miss Van Schuyler has against him, she says it should be obvious: social position. Cornelia comes back and confirms that she definitely hasn’t encouraged Ferguson in any way. She says she finds him outrageous. Leaving Miss Van Schuyler furious, Ferguson at last goes on his way.

Miss Van Schuyler asks Poirot to send her Miss Bowers, because Ferguson has so upset her. Poirot notes that Ferguson is “rather eccentric” and “spoilt.” He asks if Miss Van Schuyler recognizes him, then reveals that Ferguson is actually Lord Dawlish, who’s incredibly wealthy but who became a communist at Oxford. Miss Van Schuyler is shocked but thanks Poirot for the information. Poirot smiles as he watches Miss Van Schuyler leave the saloon, but then he has a thought that makes him become more serious and nod his head.