25 quotes
A Conversation About Gratitude and Departure
A.D.C.
Ah, here's your ticket, Monsieur Poirot. I'm afraid you've still got another hour.
Hercule Poirot
Then, please, do not wait.
A.D.C.
Not wait? Hah. After all you've done for us, Monsieur Poirot? Ha ha. Oh. Uh, my general's orders were to ensure your safe departure. He also wished to thank you again for saving the honour of the British garrison in Jordan. The Brigadier's, uh, confession, was opportune. I say, how did you do it? Was it the old, uh, thumbscrew, you know, the rack, huh?... Oh. Well, uh, you'll be able to rest as soon as you get to Stamboul. The, uh, the Church of Santa Sophia is absolutely magnificent.
Hercule Poirot
You have seen it?
A.D.C.
No.
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Murder and Justice on the Orient Express
Hercule Poirot
Ladies and gentlemen, you are all aware that a repulsive murderer has himself been repulsively and, perhaps, deservedly murdered.
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Language Barriers on the Orient Express
Beddoes
Oh, yes, sir, the Italian person.
Hercule Poirot
Eh, does he speak English?
Beddoes
A kind of English, sir. I think he learnt it in a place called Chicago.
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Assigning Sleeping Arrangements on the Train
Bianchi
Now, Pierre, it is cold. Now, we can place Monsieur Poirot in the number 16, which is always kept vacant.
Pierre
It is taken, Signor, by a Mr. Hardman.
Bianchi
Then as a director of the line, I command you to place Monsieur Poirot in what we know to be the empty berth above Mr. McQueen's number 4. Monsieur. At least you can get two tips.
[Pierre nods; Bianchi gestures to Poirot; Poirot boards the train, followed by Bianchi, who gives Pierre a look]
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Acknowledgment of Unintentional Harm
Colonel Arbuthnott
Sorry if I hurt the lad. Provocation.
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Too Many Clues in the Room
Hercule Poirot
Bianchi, Doctor, has it occurred to you that there are too many clu-ues in this room?
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A Humble Acknowledgment of Ignorance
Hercule Poirot
Forgive me, I'm only an ignorant Belgian!
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Caution Against Disturbing Evidence
Hercule Poirot
Ah, touch nothing!
[To Pierre and Beddoes, upon discovering Ratchett's body]
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Suspicion Among a Notable Cast of Characters
Taglines
The greatest cast of suspicious characters ever involved in murder.
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The Importance of Observation and Memory
Hercule Poirot
Observe, memorize! You're my only witnesses!
[To Bianchi and the doctor as he lights the slightly burned paper to see what was originally written]
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The Distinction Between Woman and Lady
Colonel Arbuthnott
Miss Debenham is not a woman! She is a lady.
[long pause]
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Concealing Emotions in Love and Relationships
Hercule Poirot
Forgive me, Miss Debenham, I must be brief. You met Colonel Arbuthnott and fell in love with each other in Baghdad. Why must the English conceal even their most impeccable emotions?
Mary Debenham
To answer your observations, in order, of course: Yes, yes, and I don't know.
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Navigating Choices with Care
Hercule Poirot
Mon pauvre, if you must go woop-woop, please go woop-woop not to windward, but to leeward.
[After uncovering Ratchett's stab wounds, Bianchi starts to waver]
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Dwindling Interest in a Case
Hercule Poirot
Mr. Ratchett, I have made enough money to satisfy both my needs and my caprices. I take only such cases now as interest me, and to be frank, my interest in your case is, uh... dwindling.
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Unraveling Lies in a Train Mystery
Hercule Poirot
If all these people are not implicated in the crime, then why have they all told me, under interrogation, stupid and often unnecessary lies? Why? Why? Why? Why?
Dr. Constantine
Doubtless, Monsieur Poirot, because they did not expect you to be on the train. They had no time to concert their cover story.
Hercule Poirot
I was hoping someone other than myself would say that.
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A Princess's Dilemma on Smiling
Hercule Poirot
You never smile, madame la princesse.
Princess Dragomiroff
My doctor has advised against it.
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Identifying Characters in a Mystery Narrative
Taglines
The Who's Who in the Whodunnit!
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Questioning the Value of References
Hercule Poirot
Cassetti was responsible for her murder. How does that strike you?
Beddoes
I have often felt, sir, that instead of our employers requiring references from us, we should require references from them.
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The Complexity of Truth in Interrogation
Hercule Poirot
Only by interrogating the other passengers could I hope to see the light, but when I began to question them, the light, as ] would have said, thickened.
[[Macbeth]
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Identifying the Intruder in the Dark
Bianchi
You mean you saw the man? You can identify the murderer?
Mrs. Hubbard
I mean nothing of the kind. I mean there was a man in my compartment last night. It was pitch dark, of course, and my eyes were closed in terror...
Bianchi
Then how did you know it was a man?
Mrs. Hubbard
Because I've enjoyed very warm relations with both my husbands.
Bianchi
With your eyes closed?
Mrs. Hubbard
That helped.
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Conspiracy and Means in a Murder Case
Dr. Constantine
He had the means to do it. The passkey to Ratchett's room.
[referring to Pierre]
Hercule Poirot
And a knife borrowed from the chef.
Bianchi
With whom he was in league.
Hercule Poirot
Which he plunged, repeatedly and without motive, into the body of his suitably astonished victim.
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Discussion of Motives on the Train
Mrs. Hubbard
Don't you agree the man entered my compartment to gain access to Mr. Ratchett?
[to Bianchi]
Princess Dragomiroff
I can think of no other reason, madam.
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A Foreigner's Solemn Oath Request
Colonel Arbuthnott
Can you give me your solemn oath - as a foreigner?
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Confronting Conscience and Responsibility
Bianchi
Hercule. I thank you.
Hercule Poirot
My friend. Now I must go and wrestle with my report to the police and with my conscience.
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The Dangers of Hypnotics Explained
Countess Andrenyi
As is my custom on night trains, I took ].
[[w:Trional|trional]
Dr. Constantine
Diethylsulphone dimethyl methane. One dilutes the white crystals with water. It is a strong hypnotic.
Countess Andrenyi
Ha, ha! He makes it sound like a poison!
Dr. Constantine
As with most sleeping drugs, if taken in sufficient quantities it IS a poison.
Count Andrenyi
You are not-!
[jumping up]
Hercule Poirot
Ah, you are not accused... you are ex-cused! Thank you both for your help and cooperation.
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