The Armstrong Kidnapping Case
- Poirot finds M. Bouc eating an omelet and we get the details of the Daisy Armstrong case:
- Daisy Armstrong was a small child who was kidnapped by a ring of criminals. She was then murdered.
- Her father was an Englishman named Colonel Armstrong. His mother was the daughter of a Wall Street millionaire, so he was actually half-American.
- Daisy Armstrong's mother was the daughter of the famous tragic actress, Linda Arden.
- The family loved the little girl, but after they paid her ransom, they learned she was already dead.
- Daisy's mother, who was pregnant, was so shocked that she died in premature childbirth.
- Daisy's father was so heartbroken that he shot himself.
- An innocent French or Swiss maid had been suspected in the murder, and in desperation she threw herself out of a window. Gosh.
- Cassetti was arrested in connection with the case, but he had considerable wealth and resources. Public opinion was against him, but he managed to get acquitted on a technicality.
- Here's what Poirot is asking himself: was the murder of Cassetti done by a rival criminal gang, or was it "an act of private vengeance" (1.8.20)?
- We learn there is at least one member of the Armstrong family still living, possibly a younger sister of Daisy's mother.
- While he's talking with M. Bouc, Poirot mentions Ratchett's watch, though he says it's very "convenient" (1.8.27) – not in a good way.
- Poirot heard someone speaking to the conductor from Ratchett's room at 12:37 a.m., but he's not convinced that this proves Ratchett was there at the time.