Murder on the Orient Express

Agatha Christie 
™
 MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS 
83
Poirot’s methods with Hildegarde Schmidt were a complete contrast to his handling of Mary 
Debenham. 
He was at his kindest and most genial, setting the woman at her ease. Then, having got her to 
write down her name and address, he slid gently into his questions. 
The interview took place in German. 
“We want to know as much as possible about what happened last night,” he said. “We know 
that you cannot give us much information bearing on the crime itself, but you may have seen or 
heard something that, while conveying nothing to you, may be valuable to us. You understand?” 
She did not seem to. Her broad, kindly face remained set in its expression of placid stupidity 
as she answered: 
“I do not know anything, Monsieur.” 
“Well, for instance you know that your mistress sent for you last night.” 
“That, yes.” 
“Do you remember the time?” 
“I do not, Monsieur. I was asleep, you see, when the attendant came and told me.” 
“Yes, yes. Was it usual for you to be sent for in this way?” 
“It was not unusual, Monsieur. The gracious lady often required attention at night. She did not 
sleep well.” 
“
Eh bien
, then, you received the summons and you got up. Did you put on a dressing-gown?” 
“No, Monsieur, I put on a few clothes. I would not like to go in to her Excellency in my 
dressing-gown.” 
“And yet it is a very nice dressing-gown—scarlet, is it not?” 
She stared at him. “It is a dark blue flannel dressing-gown, Monsieur.” 
“Ah! continue. A little pleasantry on my part, that is all. So you went along to Madame la 
Princesse. And what did you do when you got there?” 
“I gave her massage, Monsieur, and then I read aloud. I do not read aloud very well, but her 
Excellency says that is all the better—so it sends her better to sleep. When she became sleepy, 
Monsieur, she told me to go, so I closed the book and I returned to my own compartment.” 
“Do you know what time that was?” 
“No, Monsieur.” 
“Well, how long had you been with Madame la Princesse?” 
“About half an hour, Monsieur.” 
“Good, continue.” 
“First, I fetched her Excellency an extra rug from my compartment. It was very cold in spite 
of the heating. I arranged the rug over her, and she wished me good night. I poured her out some 
mineral water. Then I turned out the light and left her. 
“And then?” 
“There is nothing more, Monsieur. I returned to my carriage and went to sleep.” 
“And you met no one in the corridor?” 
“No, Monsieur.” 
“You did not, for instance, see a lady in a scarlet kimono with dragons on it?” 
Her mild eyes bulged at him. “No, indeed, Monsieur. There was nobody about except the 
attendant. Everyone was asleep.” 
“But you did see the conductor?” 
“Yes, Monsieur.” 
“What was he doing!” 

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