Chapter 3
Everyone is finishing a fine dinner. They're talking politely and generally having a good time. Marston notices the table's strange centerpiece. It is a circular glass stand, with ten china figurines in the shape of Indians. Vera mentions the nursery rhyme framed in her room - everyone else quickly mentions that each of them has a framed nursery rhyme as well. Vera finds the whole thing amusing, while Wargrave dismisses it as 'childish'.
Emily and Vera move into the drawing-room, where the sound of the waves hitting rocks below is audible. "Emily Brent said: 'Pleasant sound.' Vera said sharply: 'I hate it.' Miss Brent's eyes looked at her in surprise." Chapter 3, pg. 41. Vera covers her comment by claiming that she meant it must be an awful place to be in a storm. Emily agrees, and suggests that Mrs. Oliver must have a hard time getting servants. Vera corrects her, mentioning that the hostess' name is Owen. Emily replies that she's never met anyone named Owen in her life.
Before Vera can ask any more questions, the men enter the room, followed by Rogers, who brings drinks. Everyone becomes comfortable in the room, and Rogers serves them all coffee.
Suddenly, a Voice begins to speak. It calls for everyone's attention, and then begins reading a list of charges. According to the Voice, Armstrong caused the death of Louisa Mary Celes. Emily was responsible for the death of Beatrice Taylor. Blore brought about the death of James Landor. Vera killed Cyril Hamilton. Lombard was guilty of the death of twenty-one men, members of an East African tribe. Macarthur deliberately sent his wife's lover, Arthur Richmond, to his death. Marston was guilty of the murder of John and Lucy Combes. The Rogers brought about the death of Jennifer Brady. Wargrave was guilty of the murder of Edward Seton. In conclusion, the Voice asks "Prisoners at the bar, have you anything to say in your defence?" Chapter 3, pg. 41
Everyone is stunned into silence. Rogers drops the coffee tray, shocking everyone. Outside the room there is a scream, followed by a thud. Lombard opens the door, and finds Mrs. Rogers , unconscious. After she is carried into the drawing-room, Armstrong examines her, and determines that she had just fainted. Everyone is in a panic, trying to figure out where the Voice was coming from. Lombard opens the door to a nearby room, and finds a record player inside, pushed up against a wall with three small holes drilled into it.
Lombard tests the record - it's where the voice was coming from. Armstrong announces that it must be some kind of horrible practical joke. Wargrave isn't so sure. Marston asks who turned on the record player. The judge turns to Rogers, who admits to turning on the record, but swears that he didn't know what was on it. He claims that his instructions were to put the record on after dinner - he thought it was music. Wargrave asks Lombard if the record had a title. Lombard replies: "Quite right, sir. It was entitled Swan Song..."Chapter 3, pg. 49
At Wargrave's suggestion, Rogers and Armstrong take Mrs. Rogers to her room. Marston suggests that they should all have something to drink, then goes to get the drink tray from out of he hallway. Everyone takes a glass of liquor, except for Emily, who drinks water. Armstrong enters and gets a drink for himself, then Rogers enters a few moments later.
Wargrave takes control of the situation, and begins questioning people, asking if they know Owen, and how they were asked to come to the Island. First is Rogers, who insists that they were hired through an employment agency, and have had no contact with the Owens. The only letter they have is one giving them specific instructions about using the gramophone after dinner. Blore examines the letter, and determines that it was written on normal paper, with a new typewriter. " 'You won't get anything out of that. Might be fingerprints, but I doubt it.' Wargrave stared at him with sudden attention." Chapter 3, pg. 52
Marston notices that their host has a very strange name - 'Ulrick Norman Owen.' This reminds Wargrave of something, and he announces that it's time for everyone to pool information. He quickly learns everyone's stories, with the exception of Lombard, who claims to have been invited like everyone else, through a mysterious letter from an unreachable acquaintance. Wargrave then confronts Blore. He points out that there was no 'Davis' mentioned by the record, which means that Davis must be Blore. Blore comes clean, and says that he is a former police officer-turned detective who was hired to provide security for the party. Now Blore believes that Owen doesn't even exist.
Wargrave agrees with Blore, and tells everyone what he's figured out. All of the letters are signed Ulrick Norman Owen, or Una Nancy Owen, either way, the name is U.N. Owen. By pronouncing the initials as letters, you come upon the real identity of their host - UNKNOWN.
"Vera cried: 'This is fantastic - mad!' The judge nodded gently. He said: 'Oh, yes. I've no doubt in my own mind that we have been invited here by a madman - probably a dangerous homicidal lunatic.'" Chapter 3, pg. 56
Topic Tracking: Guilt and Responsibility 3
Topic Tracking: Guilt and Responsibility 4
Topic Tracking: Trust and Suspicion 2
Topic Tracking: Clues 2
Topic Tracking: Clues 3
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