Summary

This section focuses on the circumstances of the murder.

That night, the Orient Express makes a brief stop in Belgrade to take on another carriage. Poirot steps out for some fresh air, but comes back in quickly when he discovers how cold it is. He then discovers that his luggage has been moved. M. Bouc has moved into the new carriage, vacating his berth for Poirot. That berth happens to be next to Ratchett, whose face darkens with anger when he sees that Poirot has moved next door. Meanwhile, MacQueen is surprised to see Poirot still on board, having believed (when he saw that Poirot's luggage was being moved) that Poirot was leaving. MacQueen's easygoing demeanor quickly returns, however, and he resumes a conversation with Col. Arbuthnot. Later, the American lady (Mrs. Hubbard) catches Poirot in the corridor, and talks animatedly to him about...