And Then There Were None

Agatha Christie And Then There Were None

published. Christie loved her other recurring character, Miss Marple, although BACKGROUND INFO she only appeared in twelve of Christie's novels Related Historical Events: Christie lived through a tumultuous period in AUTHOR BIO England, including two World Wars. She joined the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) in WWI, tending to wounded soldiers in England. During WWII she Full Name: Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, DBE worked at the pharmacy in the University College Hospital in London where Pen Name: Agatha Christie (and Mary Westmacott) she learned a great amount about poisons, which she would use to great effect Date of Birth: September 15, 1890 in her post-war mysteries. Christie's 1941 novel, N or M?, describes a search for two of Hitler's top-secret agents and features a character named Major Place of Birth: Torquay, Devon, England Bletchley. This led the British intelligence agency to investigate Christie, out Date of Death: January 12, 1976 of fear that she had information on the British top-secret code-breaking agency, Bletchley Park. All turned out to be just a coincidence, as Christie had Brief Life Story: Agatha Christie was born into an upper middle class family in apparently invented a surprisingly appropriate name. South West England. Her mother was British and her father was a wealthy American stockbroker educated in Switzerland. Agatha was the youngest of EXTRA CREDIT three children and had a happy early life but her father died of a heart attack when she was only 11, and she later said that this marked the end of her Original Title: The original title was Ten Little Niggers, and then Ten Little childhood. After her father's death she was sent to receive a formal education Indians, both of which have since been abandoned for reasons of political first in her native town of Torquay and then in Paris. Agatha began writing correctness. after finishing school but could not get anything published. At the same time Christie vs. Shakespeare: Christie is the best selling author of all time after she was looking for a husband, and after a few failed relationships, met Shakespeare and the Bible. Archibald “Archie” Christie in 1912 and the two were married soon after. Agatha on Stage: Agatha Christie claimed that the happiest moment of her life Archie went away to fight in World War I and Agatha helped the wounded was when she was in a Gilbert and Sullivan play as a child but she later said, “an soldiers back in England as a part of the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD). experience that you truly enjoy should never be repeated.” She did go on to Agatha published her first novel in 1920, which introduced her longest write the longest running play, The Mousetrap. It opened at the Ambassador running and possibly most famous detective character, Hercule Poirot. In Theater in London in 1952 and ran until 1975 and then moved next door to 1926, Agatha published her first big hit: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, but in The Saint Martin's Theater where it is still running. the same year her mother died and her husband left her for his secretary. Agatha ran away after this and was found days later registered at a hotel Popular Poirot: Hercule Poirot is the only fictional character to ever receive under her husband's mistress's name. They divorced in 1928 and Agatha an obituary in the New York Times. It appeared on the front page in August retained custody of their one child, Rosalind. In 1939 Agatha married 1975, following the publication of the last Poirot novel, Curtains. archaeology professor Max Mallowan and traveled with him on many trips. She developed a great interest in archaeology and Egyptology. Agatha continued writing into old age and wrote 66 novels and 153 short stories in PLOT SUMMARY total. Riding on a train through England, Justice Wargrave begins thinking about KEY FACTS where he is going: Soldier Island. He remembers a story of a millionaire who lived there, but has heard that the Island was recently bought by a man named Full Title: And Then There Were None Mr. Owen. The scene quickly changes to another woman on the train, Vera Genre: Murder Mystery Claythorne who is similarly curious about this island. The narrative shifts Setting: Soldier Island (in other editions it is also called Indian Island), off the among a variety of other characters, the mysterious Philip Lombard, the rigid coast of England spinster Miss Emily Brent, the retired General Macarthur, the successful Dr. Armstrong, the reckless Anthony Marston, and the lying Mr. Blore, who are Climax: Justice Wargrave's revelatory letter in a bottle, which appears in the all also headed to Soldier Island. second epilogue to the novel. They are taken by boat to the island by a local named Fred Narracott. At the Antagonist: Justice Wargrave island the host is not there but two servants, Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, tell the Point of View: Third person omniscient guests that dinner is almost ready. The guests go up to their rooms and notice that there is a nursery rhyme hung in each, “Ten Little Soldiers.” In each verse HISTORICAL AND LITERARY CONTEXT another Little Soldier dies in some strange way. After a pleasant dinner, the When Written: 1939 guests all gather in the parlor for drinks. All of a sudden a loud voice takes over the room, accusing each guest, one at a time, of murder. When the recording Where Written: England ends, Mrs. Rogers faints and is taken upstairs by her husband and the doctor. When Published: November 1939 The voice has come from a gramophone hidden in the next room. Justice Literary Period: Popular fiction Wargrave, a retired judge, begins an impromptu court session – asking everyone to explain his or her accusation. Each guest has some sort of excuse. Related Literary Works: As the world's best selling mystery writer Agatha They realize that they have all been invited to the island under false pretenses Christie has an incredible number of related literary works. And Then There by someone with the name U. N. Owen which, as Wargrave points out, spells Were None was her most popular and best selling novel, but it did not include out Unknown. Then, all of a sudden, Anthony Marston chokes, falls over, and her most popular characters, Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple. Christie herself dies. Dr. Armstrong checks Marston's drink and discovers that it has been didn't much care for Detective Poirot even though he starred in 33 of her poisoned! They take him up to his room and all decide that they will try to novels and 54 of her short stories. She found him “insufferable” but knew the leave in the morning. In bed in her room Vera realizes that Marston's death public liked him and felt it was her duty as an entertainer to produce what the mirrors the first line of the Ten Little Soldiers rhyme. public wanted. She also must have felt some sort of debt to him because it was her first Poirot novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, which first got her

The next morning Mr. Rogers tells everyone that Mrs. Rogers died in the Vera Claythorne – A schoolteacher who is invited to Soldier Island as a middle of the night. He also says that two of the little soldier figurines that had secretary. She is very practical and careful, but she is also a romantic. She fell been decorating the table had now disappeared. The guests now decide that in love with a man named Hugo while she was employed as a nanny for a there must be a “raving maniac” on the island. They all think that they should young boy, Cyril Hamilton. Cyril's birth took away Hugo's chance at an leave but a storm is coming and no boat will be able to get to or from the inheritance and Hugo told Vera at one point that he would marry her if he still island. Blore and Lombard decide to search the island but find no one. They do had money. Vera therefore allowed Cyril to swim out into the ocean too far discover that Lombard has a revolver. Mr. Rogers calls everyone in for lunch, and drown. She was not convicted because she swam out after him as if she but they realize that General Macarthur is not there. Dr. Armstrong goes to were trying to save him. Yet Hugo knew the truth, so he went away and never check on him and finds him dead – hit on the head with a life preserver. spoke to Vera again. Vera is plagued with this guilt for the rest of her life until, Wargrave holds another court-session and decides that although no one after surviving to the very end of Soldier Island, she hangs herself. person stands out as the murderer, the killer must be one of the guests on the Philip Lombard – Lombard was hired by Mr. Isaac Morris to come to Soldier Island. Island and watch out for any trouble. He is a very resourceful and creative The next morning they wake to find Rogers dead – struck on the back of head man who used to be a soldier in Africa. While in Africa he left a group of with an axe while chopping wood. Vera and Miss Brent prepare breakfast now natives to die in order to save his own life. He is very clever and is able to that there are no surviving servants. After breakfast, Miss Brent feels weak so escape death until the very end of the novel, when he trusts Vera too much stays seated as the rest of the guests clear the table. When they come back because she is a woman. they find Miss Brent dead. She has been poisoned with a syringe in the neck Dr. Edward Armstrong – A successful doctor who comes to Soldier Island and the murderer even took the time to put a bee in the room (to match the because he is told that Ms. Owen is sick. He used to drink too much and once verse in the Ten Little Soldiers rhyme). Wargrave suggests that they should accidentally killed an old woman because he was drunk while operating on her. lock up any dangerous items that they have brought, but when Lombard goes He is very preoccupied with maintaining his reputation, and hence his success. to get his revolver he realizes that it is missing. At the same time, he is a very gullible man. He trusts Wargrave and helps the Next Wargrave dies, shot through the head and dressed up as a judge while a judge fake his own death. Once the other surviving characters think that the decoy of a drowning scene frightens Vera and distracts all the other guests. judge is dead, Wargrave has free reign of the island. Wargrave eventually kills That night Lombard hears a noise from his room and wakes up everyone else Armstrong by pushing him off a cliff. only to realize that Dr. Armstrong is missing. They believe that Armstrong William Henry Blore – An ex-police inspector who is tricked into coming to must be the murderer. They spend the morning outside the house where it the island when he is told that he is supposed to protect Mrs. Owen's jewels feels open and safe. Finally Blore decides to get some food from the house, but from a thief. In his past Blore, in order to gain a promotion for himself, sent an on his way inside he is crushed by a bear shaped statue dropped from above innocent man named Landor to a penal colony, where he died. Blore is and which had been sitting on Vera's mantelpiece. Lombard decides that they practical and careful, but he has very little imagination, which is possibly a should find a high place on the Island and stay awake all night but when they reason why he was not able to get promoted on his own merit. In spite of his get there they find Armstrong dead. Vera and Lombard are the only two careful observance of the guests, he is always guessing the wrong person as remaining on the island. They both suspect the other but Vera manages to the murderer and he is not careful enough to avoid his own death. snatch Lombard's revolver and shoot him. She then feels a sudden calm and walks back to the house intending to eat something and sleep. Instead she Thomas Rogers – The butler on Soldier Island, Mr. Rogers is a dedicated and thinks about the little boy she tricked into drowning in an attempt to free the professional servant. He always brings the drinks and food on time and is man she loved to marry her (except that the man figured it out and left her always polite and deferential. Yet he killed an old woman he used to work for, immediately). She notices a noose hanging in her bedroom and a chair placed Jennifer Brady, by not administering her medicine so he could receive the just under it, and hangs herself. money that Mrs. Brady had left to him and in his wife in her will. The epilogue is set in Scotland Yard where Sir Thomas Legge and Inspector General John Gordon Macarthur – A general in World War I, he is the oldest Maine are discussing the mystery murders on Soldier Island. They go through guest on the island and is suspected of intentionally sending a lieutenant, all the facts but cannot understand how everyone on the Island could be dead. Arthur Richmond, to his death. Macarthur did this when he learned that The final chapter is a letter from Wargrave describing how he has always been Richmond was having an affair with his life. Macarthur's guilty conscience has obsessed with justice and death. As a small child he enjoyed killing animals, but always left him with the feeling that his fellow veterans know about his dark he never wanted to harm anything innocent. This led him to a career in the past and he separated himself from his Army friends after the war ended. His law, but he always felt something lacking. After learning he was soon to die wife also died soon after the war and he has been lonely and weary since then. from a medical condition, he decided that for his final act in life he wanted to Once he gets to Soldier Island, he realizes that he is tired of life and the effort commit the perfect murder. But he also did not want to kill innocent people, so that it takes to live with his secret, and is ready to die. he collected a group of men and women who had committed crimes for which Ethel Rogers – Mr. Rogers's wife, Ethel cooks all the meals on the island and they had never been punished, and brought them to Soldier Island. Then he does the housekeeping. Vera notices from the very beginning that Ethel looks killed them one by one, saving the guiltiest for last. He hid his own involvement constantly frightened and this seems to relate to her sense of guilt. Ms. Rogers by getting the doctor to help fake his own death (tricking the doctor into dies in her sleep from poison during the first night on the island. thinking such a ruse would help out the “real” murderer), and then killing the Anthony Marston – This wealthy, daredevil of a young man is first seen doctor. After Vera hanged herself, Wargrave arranged the house just so, and zipping down the road in his fancy car. He once hit two children and killed then carefully killed himself. them, but he feels no remorse for the act because he believes it was an accident. Marston is a man with basically no morals. CHARACTERS Isaac Morris – Morris is never actually present in the novel but he is hired by Wargrave to purchase the island under the name of Mr. Owen, and find Justice Wargrave – A recently retired Judge who quickly re-assumes this role plausible ways to invite all the guests. Owen is a shady businessman who has on the island, holding impromptu "court cases" after nearly every murder. He been involved in the drug trade and convinced a daughter of one of is obsessed with justice, and also with death, as he reveals at the end of the Wargrave's friends to start taking drugs, after which she committed suicide. novel through a letter placed in a bottle and put in the ocean. Since he was a Wargrave is able to kill Morris with poison even though Morris never comes child he has taken great pleasure from the idea of death, and even killed to Soldier Island, and Morris leaves no trace of Wargrave's presence in the animals, but he was also pained by the idea of killing anyone who was innocent. business dealings that enabled the multiple murders on Soldier Island. When he realized that he was going to die he decided to finally commit the Fred Narracott – A man from the mainland who ferries the boat to Soldier perfect murder – by killing people who had murdered themselves yet were Island. beyond the reach of the law.

Characters www.LitCharts.com | @litcharts ©2014 | Page 2 And Then There Were None THEMES DEATH Death is obviously a central part of And Then There Were None, but it is treated quite casually. There is no pomp or circumstance surrounding the death of any JUSTICE of the characters. They are laid out on their beds and that is it. This simplicity Mystery novels, of which Agatha Christie is often considered the queen, comes from the fact that the characters revert to a more primitive state when generally present a complex and confusing cast of characters that, through the death becomes present in their everyday lives. When so many people are efforts of the detective/narrator/reader become organized into groups of dying there is no time for mourning, and life just has to go on. In addition, their good and bad, black and white. Generally, there are one or two criminals and own murderous pasts have brought them to this proximity with death. The lots of victims. And Then There Were None never works out this neatly. Agatha characters have all killed other people so they are unusually knowledgeable Christie presents justice as an ambiguous concept. Who deserves punishment about death. and how much? The criminal of And Then There Were None, Justice Wargrave, The inevitability of death is highlighted on Soldier's Island. Many of the is a justice fanatic. He believes that because the guests on Soldier's Island all characters, such as Vera, Anthony Marston, Mr. Lombard and Mr. Blore, feel committed crimes for which they were never punished, they now deserve to immortal. They believe that they will be the ones to survive because they have be emotionally tortured and eventually killed. Even if someone were to agree avoided danger at other times in their lives. Yet one of Wargrave's lessons is that the ten criminals deserve such punishment, Wargrave's conception of that no one can escape death. justice is complicated by the fact that, in the name of justice, he commits a much graver crime than any of the other characters in the novel. CLASS Agatha Christie demonstrates that since humans are inherently flawed, justice Each character has a very specific, defined role in English society. For example, is too. The ten victims in And Then There Were None were able to get away with the Rogers come as servants, Vera as the secretary, and Anthony as the their crimes because of some flaw in the system: there wasn't enough proof, moneyed socialite. There is a doctor, a judge, a general, and a spinster, and the crime happened far away in another country, the death was caused by each play out their roles exactly as they should – at least when they are first on some accidental carelessness that does not count as murder. Yet when they the island. This IN this way, the novel establishes the rigidity of the English get to Soldier's Island they enter a sort of penal colony where justice all of a social order. And Then There Were None is set in 1930s England, a highly sudden becomes an extremely rigid concept. By presenting the arbiter of stratified society where one's social class could define one's life and justice as a life-long death and legal obsessed maniac, Agatha Christie shows relationships. The chaos and fear that comes to rule the island is the only thing the danger in a simplistic view of justice. There is a reason that the system is that can break down these social and class barriers. Yet it is difficult for some flawed, that one is innocent before proven guilty. There is no perfect way to of the characters to leave their expected roles, even when this puts them in catch and punish every criminal, but breaking from the existing, flawed system danger. Mr. Rogers maintains his duties as servant even after his wife, along is even more dangerous. At the end of the novel, when the house and island with some of the other guests, have been killed. He makes meals at the are strewn with dead bodies it is hard to believe that the best answer to appropriate time, serves cocktail and even ventures out alone to chop wood murder is more murder. for the guests – which leads to his death. GUILT Agatha Christie sets up this rigid structure and maintains it for a while to demonstrate how difficult it is to break down the barriers set by class. When it And Then There Were None presents two kinds of guilt: personal and legal. The does finally happen the characters don't only lose their social graces, they also majority of the characters in the novel are people who have escaped the latter begin to revert to an inhuman, animalistic state. They start eating out of cans but are plagued by the former. Justice Wargrave understands the power of in the kitchen, and leaving the house to find safety in nature. Vera even personal guilt as shown by the fact that he guesses Vera will kill herself when observes that the guests who have survived start to look more like animals. she is the last one left on the island. Yet he does not believe that a sense of When their main worry is survival there is no time to worry about what is personal guilt is enough. Wargrave cannot stand that these people have not proper. Yet Agatha Christie shows that it takes something of the magnitude of been declared guilty by a court of law. Agatha Christie, on the other hand, being trapped on an island with an insane murderer to interfere with the class shows that the self-inflicted punishment that comes from personal guilt is order of British society. often even more painful than any sentence given by the law. For example, General Macarthur wishes death upon himself because he cannot handle his guilt-ridden any longer and Vera is constantly plagued by dreams and visions SYMBOLS of the little boy she killed for the man she loved. Agatha Christie demonstrates that guilt is not only doled out by a jury, but rather, like justice, it is a THE STORM complicated concept that involves human flaws and inconsistencies. In the very beginning of the novel, Mr. Blore encounters an old man on the Through Miss Emily Brent, the novel also presents a religious view of guilt. train who warns him of a coming storm. Mr. Blore does not believe him Brent's solid belief in God, and her belief that she is always in God's good because it looks bright and sunny outside. Yet the storm does come. The slow graces, means that she is incapable of feeling guilty. Her understanding of guilt approach of this bad weather mirrors growing danger on Soldiers Island. At is similar to Wargrave's understanding of justice: Brent believes that she is not the same time, the storm itself puts the guests on the island in even greater guilty because she killed a sinning woman, and Wargrave believes that he can danger. No one can get to or leave the island when there is any bad weather so cause ten murders if it is in the name of justice. Both of these characters show this random act of nature traps the characters – the weather only clears up how guilt can be defined by one's own personal moral and legal system. The once they are all dead. The storm also highlights how separated they all are guests on Soldier's Island have been able to survive for so long with their own from all civilization. Soldier's Island is completely isolated and still controlled guilt because they come up with various definitions of right and wrong to by the natural environment. The ten guests on the island have returned to a pardon themselves. For example, Anthony Marston thinks that he ran over more primitive state of nature, a world totally consumed by the struggle to those children accidentally so it doesn't matter – everyone has their own way survive. to cope with guilt. The central question at the end of the novel is “who is guilty?” Is Wargrave guilty because he killed ten people? Or was he only THE ISLAND following his duty as a servant of the law? Did the guests of Soldier's Island The island is more than the setting of the novel. It also, like the storm, sets the deserve their fate, were they guilty enough to deserve death no matter what? characters is a space apart from the world. In this isolated space the typical These answers depend on the reader's highly subjective understanding of rules of law and civilization no loner hold any sway. guilt. FOOD The change in the presence of food throughout the novel demonstrates the demise of civilization and order on the island. When the guests first come to

Symbols www.LitCharts.com | @litcharts ©2014 | Page 3 And Then There Were None the island they have an elaborate meal prepared by Mrs. Rogers that is served —Mrs. Rogers by Mr. Rogers. Even after Anthony Marston and Mrs. Rogers die, much of the pomp and circumstance surrounding the presentation of food and drink remains: the guests are served cocktails, and even after Mr. Rogers dies, Miss Brent and Vera still make tea for the men. The persistence of these food “Oh, yes. I've no doubt in my own mind that we have been invited here by a rituals shows how important and ingrained they are for these characters. And madman – probably a dangerous homicidal lunatic.” when the rituals do break down – the guests start eating tongue and fruit out —Judge Wargrave of cans, and eventually Vera and Lombard wont even return to the house to get any food – it's clear that all law, order, and civilization has broken down in the dwindling community on Soldier's Island. THE MARK OF CAIN CHAPTER 4 Judge Wargrave explains this symbol in his secret letter, sealed in a bottle. He “Whoever it was who enticed us here, that person knows or has taken the writes that the mark on his forehead is one of the three clues that could help trouble to find out a good deal about us all” explain the nearly unsolvable murder he committed on Soldier's Island. The —Justice Wargrave bullet wound on his forehead mirrors the mark that Cain received from God after he murdered his brother Able, thereby committing the first murder in the Bible. This mark shows that even Wargrave admits his own evil. As his letter shows, he knows that he brought these guests to Soldier's Island not CHAPTER 5 only to seek justice for their unpunished murders, but also out of his own bloodthirsty desire to kill. The mark symbolizes his sinfulness, and by He thought: Best of an island is once you get there – you can't go any farther … extension the sinfulness and guilt of all of the people on the island. you've come to the end of things … He knew, suddenly, that he didn't want to leave the island. QUOTES —General Macarthur

CHAPTER 1 Why had Anthony Marston wanted to die? She didn't want to die. She couldn't Definitely Soldiers Island was news! imagine wanting to die … Death was for – the other people … —Justice Wargrave —Vera

“Watch and pray,” he said. “Watch and pray. The day of judgment is at hand.” CHAPTER 6 —Old man on train We're not going to leave the island … None of us will ever leave … It's the end, you see – the end of everything …” He hesitated, then he said in a low strange voice: “That's peace – real peace. To come to the end – not to have to go on … Subsiding on his seat Mr. Blore thought to himself: he's nearer the jay of Yes, peace …” judgment than I am! But there, as it happens, he was wrong . . . —General Macarthur —Narrator

CHAPTER 7 CHAPTER 2 “I mean – it explains Soldier Island. There are crimes that cannot be brought The faded blue eyes, shrewd in spite of their age, sized up Lombard. For a home to their perpetrators. Instance the Rogerses'. Another instance, old moment a judgment showed in them – had there been anyone to read it. Wargrave, who committed his murder strictly within the law.” —Mr. Lombard —Mr. Lombard

He might have noticed that a curious constraint came over the other members CHAPTER 9 of the party. It was as though the mention of their host and hostess had a curiously paralyzing effect on the guests. “What's the sense of making yourself offensive? We're all in the same boat. —Narrator We've got to pull together.” —Mr. Lombard

The sea . . . So peaceful today – sometimes so cruel … The sea that dragged you down to its depth. Drowned … Found drowned … Drowned at sea … Drowned “Your argument seems logical. I agree that one of us is possessed by a devil.” – drowned – drowned … —Emily Brent —Vera

CHAPTER 3 “It was the voice – that awful voice – like a judgment –”

Quotes www.LitCharts.com | @litcharts ©2014 | Page 4 And Then There Were None CHAPTER 10 —Vera “I know very well that I'm not the murderer, and I don't fancy there's anything insane about you, Vera. You strike me as being one of the sanest most levelheaded girls I've come across. I'd stake my reputation on your sanity. How very quiet the house was. And yet –it didn't seem like an empty house … —Lombard Hugo, upstairs, waiting for her … —Vera

CHAPTER 11 “The damned fool, he believed every work I said to him. It was easy … I must be EPILOGUE 1 careful, though, very careful.” “And therefore, sir, there must have been someone else on the island. Someone —Wargrave who tidied up when the whole business was over. But where was he all the time – and were did he go to? The Sticklehaven people are absolutely certain that no one could have left the island before the rescue boat got there. But in that case –” … “But in that case,” he said, “who killed them?” CHAPTER 12 —Inspector Maine “One more of us acquitted – too late!” —Wargrave EPILOGUE 2 From my earliest youth I realized that my nature was a mass of contradictions. CHAPTER 13 I have, to begin with, an incurably romantic imagination. —Wargrave There was little pretense now – no formal veneer of conversation. They were five enemies linked together by a mutual instinct of self-preservation. And all of them, suddenly, looked less like human beings. They were reverting to more bestial types. I was born with other traits besides my romantic fancy. I have a definite —Narrator sadistic delight in seeing or causing death. —Wargrave

Philip Lombard's senses seemed heightened, rather than diminished. His ears reacted to the slightest sound. His step was lighter and quicker, his body lithe I have wanted – let me admit frankly – to commit a murder myself. I and graceful. And he smiled often, his lips curling back from his long white recognized this as the desire of the artist to express himself! I was, or could teeth. me, an artist in crime! My imagination, sternly checked by the exigencies of my —Narrator profession, waxed secretly to colossal force. —Wargrave

CHAPTER 14 When the sea goes down, there will come from the mainland boats and men. They'd believe her all right. Cyril often told stories. He was an untruthful child. And they will find ten dead bodies and an unsolved problem on Soldier Island. Cyril would know, of course. But that didn't matter … and anyway nothing —Wargrave would go wrong. She'd pretend to swim out after him. But she'd arrive too late … Nobody would ever suspect … Had Hugo suspected? Was that why he had looked at her in that queer far-off way? … Had Hugo known? —Vera SUMMARY & ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 15 CHAPTER 1 Justice Wargrave reads the paper on This establishes the mystery surrounding “But don't you see, he's mad? It's all mad! The whole thing of going by the a first class train and starts thinking Soldier Island. No one knows the history rhyme is mad! Dressing up the judge, killing Rogers when he was chopping about his destination: Soldier Island. of the place, only that it has been owned sticks – drugging Mrs. Roberts so that she overslept herself – arranging for a He remembers the gossip that an by someone wealthy. bumble bee when Miss Brent died! It's like some horrible child playing a game. American millionaire had lived there It's all got to fit in.” but that it was then bought by Mr. —Vera Owen. This started many rumors that it had actually been bought by a movie star or a Lord. CHAPTER 16 “Why did I never see his face properly before? A wolf – that's what it is – a wolf's face … Those horrible teeth …”

Justice Wargrave takes a letter out of The Justice's thoughts introduce Dr. Armstrong is driving up north, Armstrong's guilt is overpowered by the his pocket. It is his invitation to Soldier information about the Island. In contrast, tired from his busy schedule as a knowledge of his success and money. Island from Constance Culmington, a to Constance, Wargrave is presented as doctor. He thinks about his success This shows another technique that woman he hasn't seen for seven years. a reliable figure, a sense strengthened by and the fact that he has been hired to characters use to cope with personal Wargrave believes that all this his professional connection to the law. look over Mrs. Owen of Soldiers guilt. For Armstrong, the benefits mystery and gossip around the Island Island for such a huge fee. He then outweigh the original crime. is typical of someone like Constance. remembers how lucky he is that the bad event fifteen years ago didn't ruin Vera Claythorne is riding the same This quick jump between class groups his career. train in third class and looks over a highlights the fact that no one knows Tony Marston speeds his sports car Tony Marston has no feelings of guilt – letter from Una Nancy Owen, asking anything but gossip about the island -- past Dr. Armstrong. He thinks that he is essentially conscienceless. He is Vera to come to Soldier Island as a regardless of his or her privilege. Mr. Owen's island should be fun, but almost barbaric – there is nothing more secretary. Vera remembers all the Information is already beginning to wonders whether there will be to him that his love of speed and thrills gossip about the island and is excited conflict, introducing the mystery. enough drinks. He thinks it's too bad and his beautiful exterior. to see it. She has been working as a that a movie star didn't really buy the games mistress at a school, which she Island. As he stops the car and steps doesn't enjoy but feels lucky to have out of it to get a drink, some women because of a scandal in her past. watch his handsome body. Details from Vera's past come back: The lives of the characters are as Mr. Blore is on the slow train from Not only will the guests of Soldier Island how nice Mrs. Hamilton was to her, mysterious as Soldier Island. Vera's Plymouth, looking at a list of all the hide or obscure their pasts, some will Hugo, and Cyril's head bobbing up actions also introduce a typical reaction guests going to Soldier Island. He also flat out lie. and down swimming to the rock. She to guilt in the novel: to put it immediately thinks that the “job ought to be easy remembers lying by the sea with out of one's mind. enough.” Blore decides that he should Hugo, and then quickly tries to put pretend to be from South Africa. him out of her mind. Mr. Blore remembers Soldier Island Blore has actually seen Soldier Island Philip Lombard looks at Vera from Vera has just been daydreaming about a from when he was a boy and wonders and knows that it is not an idyllic spot. across the carriage and thinks her an mysterious past but Lombard sees her as why anyone would want to build a The mysterious prediction of a coming attractive and practical looking girl. practical. Appearances can be deceiving house there. A man in the corner of storm forebodes bad events to come. He is on his way to Soldier Island for a in the novel. Lombard is also introduced the train wakes up and says that there mysterious job. Mr. Isaac Morris gave as a man with a mysterious, or guilty is a storm coming. Mr. Blore him one hundred guineas to go to the past. comments that the weather looks fine, Island and take the job, but would not but the old man assures him that a tell him why. Philip Lombard thinks storm will come. the whole thing sounds a bit strange, but remembers that he has gotten CHAPTER 2 himself out of many tight spots in the There are two taxis to meet the guests Small inconsistencies are starting to past. at the train station. The guests start to reveal themselves in the characters Miss Emily Brent sits rigidly in her In addition to her rigid and self-righteous introduce themselves to each other. reasons for coming, but none of the train car thinking about the weakness introduction, Miss Brent is also shown as Lombard remarks to Vera that it "guests" fully realize this yet. and laziness of the current generation. being motivated by money. Her thoughts seems strange that she is taking up a She goes over her invitation to Soldier further demonstrate that no one knows secretarial post in the middle of Island in her head. It's from someone exactly why they were invited to Soldier summer, but she assures him it is not. she met in a guest house a couple Island. Mr. Blore introduces himself to the This is the first flat out lie of the novel. years ago but the signature is messy group as Mr. Davis from South Africa. Blore's lie also unintentionally reveals (she can only make out U.N.O…) and When he mentions that they shouldn't that no one quite knows why they are Miss Brent cannot remember exactly keep their hosts waiting a strange here. Then mention of the hosts puts who this woman she met in the past is. hush comes over the group. them on edge. But Miss Brent doesn't have much money anymore and is happy to have a free vacation. General Macarthur, in another train Macarthur's first thought is guilt about The taxis carry them to a dock. As all The novel foreshadows the death of car, thinks about the trip he's on to his dark past. Almost every character is the guests are boarding the small boat Marston by mentioning that he seems Soldier Island, where he will be shaped by his or her guilt or obsession to be ferried to the island, a large car “more then mortal” and then quickly meeting some of his old army friends. with the past. zips down the road driven by a young, jumping out of the present action to He is excited to talk about old times, handsome and powerful man. mention that the other characters will and hopes that none of them believe Anthony Marston honks his horn and remember this thought later or remember the rumor that had gets out of the car, he seems floated around about him nearly thirty “something more than mortal.” Many years ago. of the guests remember this fact later.

The ferryman, Fred Narracott, thinks Narracott, an outsider, first notices the Dr. Armstrong arrives at the Island Armstrong believes (incorrectly) that the as he drives the boat that this is a strangeness of the group. The fact that late. He was tired after his long drive island will be a place of rest. He also strange bunch of guests. He was he is from a lower class makes him able and is excited to get to the island introduces the fact that Wargrave is expecting fancier people in yachting to view the action as an outsider and where he feels he can leave the whole connected to death; the judge does not clothes like the parties the American clearly see that this bunch doesn't seem world behind. Dr. Armstrong runs into just bring about justice, he is a man who millionaire, Elmer Robson, used to to fit together. Yet he also reveals that he Justice Wargrave on the terrace and seems to enjoy pronouncing death have. Narracott thinks that Mr. Owen knows nothing about the situation on remembers how he has had to testify sentences. must be a “different kind of Soldier Island. for some of Wargrave's cases. He gentleman,” but he is not sure because remembers that people call Wargrave he has never seen Mr. or Mrs. Owen. a “hanging judge.” Everything was organized and paid for by Mr. Morris. Wargrave also remembers Spoiler alert! At this point in the novel it Armstrong and thinks he is, like all is not at all possible to know that Narracott looks over everyone in the The same class difference that gives him doctors, a damn fool. Wargrave tells Wargrave will turn out to be the boat and decided that only Mr. clarity makes Narracott afraid to made Armstrong that the host and hostess murderer. But note how Christie allows Marston looks like he should be there, any judgments about the group. are not here. He asks Armstrong if he Wargrave to lie to himself in his since Marston looks like he was born knows Constance Culmington. He thoughts, masking that he is the into money. But, Narracott decides, does not, and Wargrave thinks how mastermind. She leaves very few clues what did he know? The whole event strange it is that there has been no for the reader – only the ones that the seems very odd to him. mention of the woman who invited other characters could see. him to the island. The house finally comes into view. It is The scene is set—the guests will be cut a very modern house. Lombard off from the world. Although the house is comments that it must be difficult to well equipped, they will have no access Antony Marston takes a bath and The guests are primed for excitement. land the boat in bad weather and to anything else. thinks about the evening to come. A Though certainly not the kind that will Narracott says that the house can shave, a cocktail, dinner … and then come. sometimes be cut off for a week or what? more. The guests enter the house, where the The beautiful surroundings contradict all butler, Mr. Rogers, is waiting for the foreboding information about the Mr. Blore worries that people know Blore intends his comment about not them. The house is lovely, as is the island that has just been presented. Yet that he is lying. He notices the nursery being able to see the future to relate to view of the ocean. The butler brings the mystery deepens when it becomes rhyme and thinks it a “neat touch.” He the guilt he feels regarding his current them into the hall where drinks are clear that the host is not there. remembers coming to Soldier Island profession. But Christie also uses it to laid out and tells them all that Mr. as a child and never thought he would foreshadow the events to come. Owen is delayed and won't arrive until do this sort of job here. He thinks it's a tomorrow. But he left instructions and good thing that he can't foresee the everything is arranged; dinner is at future. eight. General Macarthur decides he wants Macarthur is the first person to realize Vera is brought into her room by Mr. Mrs. Rogers's wife seems guilt-ridden as to leave the island, but the motorboat that something is wrong. Christie Rogers's wife, Mrs. Rogers who Vera well. In spite of the fact that she is taking has left so he'll have to stay. He thinks contrasts Macarthur's worry with thinks looks “frightened of her own care of the house with her husband, Mrs. Lombard is strange and lying about Lombard's calmness in order to highlight shadow.” Vera becomes Rogers knows nothing about the why the something. Lombard smiles to himself that no one really know what is uncomfortable wondering what this guests are here or what is going on. There as he walks down the stairs and thinks happening on the island. Not even the woman is afraid of. Vera asks Mrs. is absolutely no information about the that he is going to enjoy this week. reader Rogers if she knows that Vera is going Island available. It is a complete mystery. to be the Owen's new secretary, to which Mrs. Rogers responds that she knows nothing, only a list of the names Emily Brent sits in her room reading The Bible offers a traditional sense of of the guests. Mrs. Rogers reveals that from the Bible about sinners receiving justice and guilt. This will return later to she and Mr. Rogers have never seen their punishment in hell. Then she show how the murderer—who also Mr. Owen. They are the only servants goes down to dinner. believes in punishment for the guilty—is on the island. playing God. Note also, though, that Miss Brent, who also believes in these biblical Vera thinks that it's strange the The rhyme – which gives the Island and teachings, denies her own guilt later. Rogers have never seen Mr. Owen. the books their names – entertains Vera She also thinks that the guests seem at first. At this point it only appears to be odd. She walks around her modern a cute decoration. Christie slowly bedroom and notices a white marble introduces the information that will bear on her mantelpiece. She then come to plague her characters. She also sees the old nursery rhyme hanging shows that Vera is consumed with guilt – on the wall: “Ten Little Soldier Boys.” it crops up whenever she is idle. It tells of 10 boys who die, first from choking, then oversleeping, getting stung by a bee, etc. Vera smiles when she remembers that this is Soldier's Island. She then looks out the window at the sea and thinks of drowning.

Summary & Analysis www.LitCharts.com | @litcharts ©2014 | Page 7 And Then There Were None CHAPTER 3 Mr. Rogers and Dr. Armstrong take Christie is very clear about which Mrs. Rogers to bed. Marston says character does what action in an Everyone feels better and starts to The comforts and pleasures of civilized that the needs a drink and he and attempt to bring the reader into the enjoy themselves after dinner. society make everyone feel better. It is Lombard come back with some detective work. She develops suspicion Wargrave is amusing, Mr. Blore also revealed that the entire house is whiskey. Dr. Armstrong comes back for all of them (pretending to be Davis) discusses structured around the idea of the Ten and says he has given Mrs. Rogers a South Africa; Mr. Lombard continues Little Soldiers poem. In spite of this sedative. to eye everyone suspiciously. oddity no one yet suspects that anything Anthony Marston comments on the is wrong. This shows how much people Wargrave then takes charge and the The scene very quickly becomes a small soldier figurines placed in the trust the order and structure of upper room becomes a court of law. courtroom controlled by Wargrave. This middle of the table. Vera points out class society. Everyone tries to pool their impromptu court adds to the feeling of that they must be connected to the information to see what they know suspicion, but also keeps everything in nursery rhyme in her bedroom and about the situation. It turns out that order. These very civilized characters are everyone responds that they have the no one has ever seen Mr. Owen. Mr. dealing with the recent events in an same thing in their own rooms. Rogers shows the letter from Mr. organized and civil manner. The society Miss Brent and Vera get up and This is the first moment when the Owen with their instructions. Mr. has not yet broken down. everyone follows them to the drawing characters begin to see a crack in the Blore looks at the letter and room. Vera says that it must be story—a crack we, as readers, have determines that there are no clues in difficult to get here in a storm – hard known all along: the guests were not all it. Marston comments on Owen's to get servants. Miss Brent responds invited here by the same person. fancy name: Ulick Norman Owen. that Mrs. Oliver was lucky to get Each continues to go around and The reader has more information than these two. Vera thinks it's funny that explain their situation, and why they the characters as this point. A careful old people always get names wrong were called here. They all provide the reader can find inconsistencies in the and says that Mrs. Owen has been same information that was given in characters' actions or stories, as we do lucky indeed. Miss Brent says she's chapter one when each character was with Lombard. never met anyone named Mrs. Owen. introduced, except Lombard who lies The men enter before the women can The secrets that everyone has been and says that a mutual friend of Mr. finish their conversation. Mr. Rogers holding are all of a sudden revealed by an Owen invited him. serves coffee and all the guests feel anonymous voice. Each one of the Wargrave then turns to Mr. Blore and Blore switches the attention from satisfied with their meals. All of a guests, who felt protected by the fact says that his given name, Davis, was himself and his own lies to their host, Mr. sudden a recorded voice pierces the that no one knew about his or her past not mentioned in the recording. Mr. Owen. From this point on everyone is silence. It charges each of the guests crime, has now been revealed as guilty. Blore explains that he is not actually constantly under trial and trying to keep with a murder. It knows the specific The voice also structures the speech as if Mr. Davis but says that he was hired the guilt off of him or herself. date of the murders and the names of it were a court, implying that there will by Mr. Owen as a detective to watch the people killed. The voice ends with be justice. over Mrs. Owen's jewels. But now “Prisoners at the bar, do you have Blore believes that there is no Mr. anything to say in your defense?” Owen.

When the recording ends, Mr. Rogers Christie often provides information Wargrave agrees, and points out that Now it is clear that there is no Mr. Owen drops the coffee tray and at the same about who doesn't react to events. This the initials given U. N. Owen can be – a person with a false identity has lured time there is a scream and a thud as draws the reader to participate in the easily turned into UNKNOWN. Vera them all to this island. And whoever this Mrs. Rogers faints. Everyone starts detective work. exclaims that this is all insane while unknown person is, he is trying to kill frantically asking what happened and Wargrave announces his belief that them all. only Wargrave and Miss Brent seem they are dealing with a “dangerous unmoved. homicidal lunatic.” Wargrave looks around the room and The discovery of the gramophone shows opens a door where he finds a the guests that the whole speech was CHAPTER 4 gramophone on a table. There are planned long in advance. It also shows Wargrave continues the impromptu Wargrave uses logic to argue that not three holes in the wall to the other that whoever planned this stunt has a court session and shows his own only is Mr. Owen homicidal, everyone on room so the sounds can get through. sense of the theatrical. proof: the letter from Lady Constance this island also really is a murderer. This Mrs. Rogers comes to and Dr. Culmington inviting him to Soldier complicates the concept of guilt. The Armstrong gives her brandy. Island. He then concludes that victims are also guilty. And it complicates whoever invited them all to the island any effort the victims might make to Wargrave asks Rogers if he put the Whoever organized this was able to use knew enough about them to create band together, because how can they record on. Mr. Rogers tells them that Rogers without arousing his suspicious. A plausible reasons to invite them there. trust each other? he was told to turn the gramophone “Swan Song” is the last effort made He implies that this means that the on, but assumed that it was music. He before death – an ominous, foreboding accusations of murder could be true. swears that Mr. Owen instructed him title. to do it. The name of the record is Wargrave explains away the Wargrave then tries to say that he is not “Swan Song.” accusation placed against him: he was one of the guilty parties, but it seems like the judge for the case of Edward although he killed someone within the Seton and sentenced him to law, it may have also been more execution. Dr. Armstrong thinks to personal, or he may have enjoyed it. himself that he remembers the case and it seemed as if Wargrave had something personal against Seton.

Vera explains that she had been a Each person has a clean way to explain Everyone agrees that they should Marston, the one who feels no guilt, is governess to Cyril Hamilton. One day away his or her accusation of guilt. leave as soon as possible except the first to die. As will be made evident, Cyril swam off into the ocean while Anthony Marston, who suggests that the killer tries to kill the victims in order Vera wasn't paying attention and they should stay and try to solve the of their guiltiness and guilt. although she swam after him she mystery. Then he takes a drink, couldn't catch up. chokes, and quickly dies. General Macarthur explains that he But we have already seen that that they sent a man, Arthur Richmond, on a are plagued with guilt, so their CHAPTER 5 reconnaissance mission during the explanations cannot be completely true. Dr. Armstrong jumps up to check The shift from healthy life to cold death War (WWI) and he was killed. The In this way, Christie allows the reader to Marston's pulse and proclaims him is so quick that no one can believe it. voice had accused Macarthur of see the difference between the dead. No one can believe it because Although Marston has just been sending Richmond to his death characters' inner lives and their Anthony looked like such a healthy, poisoned no one tries to figure out who because he had an affair with presentation to the world. godlike man. Armstrong smells did it. It seems unlikely, given his Macarthur's wife and the General Anthony's breath and states that he personality, but they all believe it must says that this is completely false. has been poisoned. He then smells the have been suicide. They don't believe bottle of whisky and the soda and says that anyone would murder Marston Lombard explains that he got lost with Lombard and Marston are more they are both un-poisoned, so without knowing him and without having some natives in Africa in the bush. He forthcoming about the deaths that they Marston must have put the poison in good reason. abandoned them to save himself. were involved in. This is because they do his own glass. No one can believe it Anthony Marston says he ran over not feel as guilty about them. but they can't think of a better some children accidentally and that it explanation. Miss Brent suggests that wasn't his fault. they should all go to bed.

Rogers explains that he and Mrs. The Rogerses are the first to Mr. Rogers checks on his wife and They still maintain civilized practices, Rogers were taking care of an old demonstrate that they got something out says that she is sleeping well. but they are starting to fade. woman and when she got sick Rogers of the death that they caused. They show Everyone goes upstairs, says went out to find a doctor but by the a clear motive, while other characters try goodnight and locks their doors time he got back she was dead. The to present the murders they committed old woman left the Rogerses money in as accidental. Wargrave, alone in his room, thinks of A soldier is taken away because one of her will. Seton. He remembers how much he the guests has been killed, a pattern that enjoyed the case: Seton's lawyer had will be repeated throughout the novel. made a great final speech but then We learn that Wargrave feels no guilt. Mr. Blore explains that he was on a Blore, like the Rogerses, shows that he Wargrave summed it up and sealed bank robbery case and he got the benefited from his crime. Seton's execution. Downstairs, evidence that sent a man named Rogers notices that one of the Landor into penal servitude where he Soldiers on the dining-room table has soon died. This led Mr. Blore to get a gone missing. promotion. General Macarthur cannot fall asleep Macarthur's life, since he sent Richmond Mr. Armstrong says he can't quite Armstrong is hiding the true story, and because he keeps thinking of to his death, has been plagued with guilt. remember the name of the patient he, like others, believes that he can hide Richmond. Macarthur had loved his Christie slowly reveals the reason that who died during an operation. But it because no one else should know the wife, Leslie, and was happy when she each character committed murder. They then he thinks to himself that it really truth. This is contradicted by their became friends with Richmond. He are all ambiguously guilty. For example, was his fault – he was drunk during presence on the island. was devastated when he found out, Macarthur did not actively kill the operation, but wonders who could from a misaddressed love letter, that Richmond. This is why he has been able possibly have told. Leslie was having an affair with to conceal it, and has not been punished, Richmond. He was so angry that he for so many years. Mrs. Brent admits to nothing. She Mrs. Brent feels no guilt because of her deliberately sent Richmond to his says that she has always lived by her sense of religious righteousness. death. Leslie never said anything and conscience and has nothing to admit. died three or four years later. Macarthur worried that other people in the Army had known; he never had any real knowledge that anyone did, With each story someone in the group The characters suspect each other but he began avoiding his fellow thinks that the speaker must be lying. because most of them are lying veterans. After the evidence has been themselves. This shows that a sense of presented, Wargrave suggests that personal guilt leads you to suspect Macarthur wonders whether anyone Macarthur realizes that his guilt has they should try to leave as soon as others. Each character personally knows believed the accusation and then become too burdensome. He does not possible. Rogers tells him that there is the depths to which a person can fall, thinks that it is impossible that the even want to live anymore. Almost every no boat on the island and the man who and the lengths to which he will go to two women on the Island had character has made the sacrifice of living delivers food, Fred Narracott, will not hide it—because they have all done it. committed murder. He wonders when with guilt to avoid punishment, and this come again until the morning. they will all leave and then thinks of all has become too much for Macarthur. the troubles and worries that await him on the mainland. He realizes then that he doesn't want to leave the island.

In her own bed, Vera thinks about Vera is the first to make the connection Outside, after breakfast, Lombard Macarthur has decided that he no longer Hugo, who said that he couldn't marry between the nursery rhyme hung on the asks Blore what he thinks about the wants to live with so much guilt and has her because he didn't have enough walls and the first death. The events of motorboat not arriving. Blore thinks resigned himself to the fact that he will money, and that he would have the night have brought back her that it is not an accident that it hasn't never escape the island. Blore and inherited money if Cyril hadn't been recurring, yet murky, memory about come and then Macarthur jumps in Lombard have not given up and so they born. Vera knew that Cyril wasn't very Cyril and Hugo, although we do not fully the conversation and says that the only want to see Macarthur as crazy. strong but Cyril kept whining, understand what happened yet. Her boat will never come. He continues by annoyingly, that he wanted to swim belief that death is for “other people” saying that they are not going to leave out to the rock. Vera looks at the shows her idea (which other characters the island and that this is the end of poem on the wall that says, “Ten little share) that she is somehow exempt from everything. Macarthur walks away soldier boys went out to dine; One the rules and laws that govern human unsteadily. Blore says that Macarthur choked on his little self and then there life. has gone crazy. were Nine.” She realizes that this was just like tonight. She can't imagine Rogers calls Armstrong into the The soldiers continue to disappear as that Anthony Marston would want to dining room and says very nervously characters die. There seems to be some die – or that anyone could want to die. that something is wrong. Rogers says larger plan that no one yet understands. She thinks death is for other people. that he counted the little soldiers on the table after dinner and there were CHAPTER 6 10, before they went to bed there were 9 and now there are 8. Dr. Armstrong dreams that he is As the characters are forced to face their performing his failed operation again. pasts, vivid memories of guilt come back CHAPTER 7 But in his dream he is operating on to them. It happened to Vera last chapter Miss Brent and realizes that he has to and now to Armstrong in his dreams. Vera and Emily Brent go for a walk to The characters are still hoping for a way kill her. She laughs at him and says, “In Further, the characters begin to think the summit of the island to look for to escape. Miss Brent's religious the midst of life we are in death.” She about killing each other, as none of them the boat. Vera has begun to get very certainty makes her feel very willing to then turns into Anthony Marston, can trust the others as death is taking nervous and tries to tell herself to pronounce guilt on others, though she and Armstrong wakes up. Rogers is them one by one. calm down. She asks Miss Brent seems to feel none at her own actions. shaking him and says that he can't whether she thinks the Rogerses are wake his wife up. really guilty and Miss Brent says that they certainly are. Armstrong goes down to see Mrs. The second death proves that something Vera asks if this means that Miss Brent's dogmatic religious fervor means Rogers and sees that she is in fact is truly wrong on the island. Both deaths Brent believes the others are guilty. that although she sees herself as dead. Armstrong asks Mr. Rogers if he appear inexplicable, but it is clear that Brent says that besides Lombard who innocent and pure she thinks that gave anything to his wife last night they can't both have been accidental or killed the natives and the Rogers, all everyone else is a sinner and a liar. and Rogers responds that all she took suicide. the other stories seem rather was what Armstrong gave her. ridiculous.

Emily Brent says that given the Regardless of the circumstances (in this Everyone is downstairs for breakfast Everyone's one hope is now escape from circumstances last night, with case everyone in the room had just been at nine o'clock. Vera and Lombard had the island. But it does not seem as if gentlemen around, she of course accused of murder), Brent maintains her walked up to the summit of the island anyone will come. They are stuck on this wasn't going to say anything about sense of decorum. She didn't share her to look down at the house. They tell remote island—all they have is each her own story. Miss Brent continues story because she thought it would have the others that Mr. Blore is up there other. that Beatrice Taylor was in her service been improper. Her sense of strict now, looking for the boat, but nothing but she turned out to not be a “nice religious rules means she has missed out has come. girl.” When Miss Brent found out that on an important part of Christianity: Beatrice had gotten “in trouble” as compassion. After breakfast Armstrong tells the There are many theories going around they say, she kicked her out of her rest of the guests that Mrs. Rogers about this new death. Each character house, as did Beatrice's parents. After died last night. Armstrong says that he creates an idea that is in line with his or this happened Beatrice threw herself cannot tell how she died. Miss Brent her own character. Miss Brent sees into a river to kill herself. thinks that she died from a guilty everything in terms of religion, Blore in conscience; she calls it an Act of God. terms of self-serving and cold-blooded Vera is horrified by this story but Miss Miss Brent's lack of guilt or sympathy for Mr. Blore thinks that Mr. Rogers actions. Brent feels no guilt or remorse. She other people shows the flaws a strict, killed his wife so she wouldn't spill the says that if Beatrice had behaved like unwavering view of right and wrong can beans about the murder they had a “decent modest young woman” none create. Just as a justice system without committed together. of it ever would have happened. Vera exceptions or nuance is flawed. is now even more horrified. Mr. Rogers then comes in and Because they are all so worried about Wargrave asks him what time the their own lives, no one at first takes the motorboat normally comes to the time to comfort Rogers or acknowledge island. Rogers tell shim about 7 or his loss. They are losing their civility and 8am, but that it is now 9:50am. moving towards a more primal, Everyone is silent until Macarthur all survivalist state. of a sudden tells Rogers that he is sorry to hear about his wife.

Dr. Armstrong comes outside to talk Armstrong's choice of Lombard over Miss Brent sits on the porch knitting Vera witnesses that the older crowd does to someone about the situation on the Wargrave shows that he sees Lombard and Vera avoids her. Wargrave also not feel the need to fight the uncertainty. island. He sees Wargrave but decides as someone who is helpful in a time of sits on the porch and when Vera looks They either resign themselves to it he doesn't want to speak with him and emergency. Lombard proves his at him she images that she sees him (Macarthur) or seem to feel no fear instead chooses Lombard. They go levelheaded cleverness by laying out all pronouncing a death sentence upon because of their sense of over the Rogers's story and the facts. Armstrong shows that he is Edward Seton. Vera goes down to the self-righteousness (Wargrave and Miss Armstrong points out that Mr. and starting to distrust everyone and sea where she meets Macarthur. Brent). Mrs. Rogers could have killed the old Lombard agrees. Lombard is the first to Macarthur tells her that he is waiting lady they were taking care of just by figure out the reason everyone was for the end, and that none of them are not supplying her medicine – through brought to this island. going to leave the island. neglect. Lombard then makes the conclusion that everyone on Soldiers Macarthur says that he loved his wife Macarthur admits his guilt to Vera as a Island is here because they have Leslie very much and then admits that last confession. He is ready to die not committed a crime for which they this is why he sent Richmond to his only because he is alone but also cannot be convicted. death. Macarthur says that now he is because he has released the secret, and alone and he will be happy to end it all. hence the guilt he has been holding for so Armstrong comments that two Armstrong, Lombard, and Blore decide to He says that one day she will also be long. suicides within 12 hours are simply take action against the unknown threat happy when the end comes. implausible, and that Anthony by searching the Island. They show that Marston must have been murdered. they still believe that there is a hope for And if Anthony Marston was escape or to stop the “raving maniac.” Blore comes back with a rope and After their whole search the men come murdered then Mrs. Rogers must They have not resigned themselves to Lombard has gone to test some up with nothing – except suspecting each have been murdered, too. They then their fate even though they have started theory. Armstrong tells Blore that he other more. There is no place for the go over the poem that is hung on each to figure out what is going on. They is worried that Macarthur has gone murderer to be on the island except for in of their walls: the first soldier boy desperately want to live. crazy. Blore agrees, but says that the house, meaning that one of the chokes and the second overslept– just doesn't mean that Macarthur is the characters is almost certainly the like Marston and Rogers! They decide murderer. Lombard returns and is murderer. that the poem, the missing soldier soon scaling the cliff. He is a talented figurines on the table, and the fact climber and Blore thinks this makes that the motorboat didn't come this him even more suspicious. Lombard morning must mean that there has comes back and says he has seen been foul play. There is a “raving nothing. The criminal must be in the maniac” on the island. They decide to house or nowhere. search the island with Blore's help. They search the house easily, as it's a Rogers maintains the civilized façade of CHAPTER 8 very modern home without hidden the gathering in an almost absurd areas. As they are finishing their manner. Social structures and rules are Blore agrees to search the island but Now that the idea is out that one of the search Rogers comes out with a tray helping to maintain a thin veil of order. he thinks that maybe one of the guests could be the murderer, the of cocktails. As the three men are up The house is similarly deceptive in its guests is actually the murderer. Either characters do not know whether they in the last corner of the house they appearance. The modern design seems way they decide to search the island can trust each other. But in order to try hear a soft sound from above in the to contradict the fact that there could be and Blore asks if anyone has a anything to save themselves they have to Rogers' room. They think this would a murderer hiding in their midst. revolver. Lombard says he does— he put aside their suspicions, at least for a be a great hiding space – in the very explains that he has gotten in “some little while. room where a dead body lies. But tight places” before and always carries when they get up there they see that a revolver. it is just Rogers who has decided to move to a different room. Blore Searching the small island ends up Macarthur decides to do nothing comments that Rogers moves very being quite simple. Towards the end because he has given up on life. For those quietly; none of them heard him come of their search they run into General who are still trying to live this looks like upstairs. Macarthur looking at the sea. He pays insanity, but for him he would rather die no attention to them and looks rather than continue to live with his guilt. The search ends and Blore, Lombard The murderer must be one of the guests, dazed. Macarthur keeps repeating and Armstrong are all very dirty and breaking down any bond of trust that “there is so little time” and that no one dusty. There is no one on the island might form between the characters. should disturb him. As they leave but the eight guests in the house. Blore says Macarthur looks insane. When the three men get to the top of They are starting to understand how the island Blore suggests that they comprehensive the murder's plan is. CHAPTER 9 light a bonfire but the others think Lombard says that they must have Lombard, with his logical mind, does not that the murderer might have already been wrong – the deaths were just want to believe that one of the guests prepared for this and told everyone coincidences. Blore asks Armstrong could be the murderer, or that their on the mainland to ignore the whether he may have accidentally comprehensive search could have failed. shenanigans on the island. overdosed Mrs. Rogers on a sleeping pill. Armstrong says that this is They look down the cliff and wonder if The younger men in the group try to ridiculous and Lombard says that they anyone could be there. Lombard combat their lack of power through should stop accusing each other. suggests he should climb down and action. see if there are any hidden recesses in the cliff. Blore goes to look for a rope.

Blore then turns on Lombard and After having unsuccessfully worked Wargrave says that there can be no There are no real clues left; the only thing asks why he brought a revolver on a together all day to look for the criminal exceptions based on “character, they know is that the murderer could be social visit. Lombard says that he the men start accusing each other. position, or probability” they must any of the guests. No one has an alibi “expected to run into a spot of Society is starting to break down. Blore is look at the facts. They agree that that puts them above suspicion. trouble” on the trip. He explains that understandably skeptical of Lombard's anyone could have drugged Marston he was asked to come here by a man weapon, but Lombard assures him that but Armstrong or Mr. Rogers are named Morris who offered him 100 they are all in the same boat. Although most likely to have killed Mrs. Rogers. guineas to keep his eyes open. he doesn't want to believe the murderer But then Wargrave states that really Lombard explains that he didn't say is one of the guests, he does believe that anyone had the chance to do it. anything last night because he they are in some sort of trap. thought the event was exactly the Because they cannot figure anything Wargrave takes charge as judge as he did thing he was supposed to cope with. out from the first two murders, after the accusation. He does not exclude But now Lombard believes he is in the Wargrave decides to move on to the himself but does seem to place himself same sticky situation as everyone else third. They go through each of their above the others by serving as the arbiter – Mr. Morris was lying to him and they alibis. Everyone has a fairly weak alibi, of justice. are all in a trap. but no one seems to stand out as the killer. They then call in Rogers and he The lunch bell rings and Rogers Rogers is trying to keep up the civilized doesn't have much to add either. apologizes that he is only serving cold order but he cannot fully succeed any ham and cold tongue along with other longer as suspicions grow among the Wargrave gives his final summation in This statement makes survival the one things he could find in the pantry. guests. At the same time the which he says that no one person important concern for the guests on the Lombard asks whether they have UNKNOWN host has provided enough stands out as the criminal. Yet he island. They are starting to revert to a enough food and Rogers responds food—he wants to punish them directly, remains positive that the killer is on primitive state in spite of the that they have more than enough. not by starving them. the island. He tells everyone to keep comfortable surroundings. their guard up, take no risks and be alert to dangers.

Miss Brent comes in and says it looks The approaching storm mirrors the CHAPTER 10 like a storm is coming. Vera growing fear among the guests. The Vera asks Lombard to wake her up so The guests begin to form loose alliances. apologizes for coming in late, but Miss social rules are deeply ingrained in all the she can realize that this is all a bad They have no real evidence but they join Brent responds that General guests; in spite of their fear they still dream, but Lombard tells her that with the people they naturally trust, out Macarthur still has not come. show up to lunch on time. won't happen. Vera asks Lombard of fear and some need to feel that they Armstrong volunteers to go get who he thinks the murder is and he are not alone in this nightmare. Macarthur when Vera says he is comments that she must be excluding sitting by the sea. the two of them. Lombard agrees that After everyone has been eating for a Vera expected Macarthur would be dead Vera couldn't have committed the bit Armstrong comes running and because he said he was ready to die. murder because she is such a shouts that General Macarthur levelheaded, sane girl. is—and Vera finishes his Vera says she can't see Lombard as Lombard sees Wargrave's authoritative sentence—“Dead!” the murderer either. Lombard thinks tendencies as condemning. As the men come back in with This third death makes it clear that the that it is Wargrave because he has Macarthur's body, the storm breaks. other two were not mistakes, and the played God as a judge for so long that Vera goes into the dining room, breaking of the storm heightens the this must have gotten to his head. followed soon after by Rogers. They power of this realization. ` Vera thinks that it is Dr. Armstrong Vera believes that Armstrong's are both checking the soldier boys and because two of the deaths have both experience must mean he is the now there are only 7. been by poison. And she thinks that he murderer. The problem is that although killed Macarthur when he went down both of their theories though these Armstrong says that Macarthur was Wargrave asserts what everyone has to call him to lunch. She also says that guesses seem supportable, they have no killed by being hit with a life preserver. been suspecting. That Mr. Owen is one of he is the only one with medical further evidence. It is all guesswork. Wargrave now takes over the them. By making this statement to the knowledge so he can declare that conversation. Wargrave says that he whole group, unlike others who have Macarthur had been dead for at least has been sitting all morning thinking been making it in individual an hour and no one would know the over the situation and decided that conversations, he puts himself in a difference. the two deaths yesterday were not position of power just as he did after the accidental or suicides. Wargrave has first recorded accusation. Meanwhile, elsewhere, Rogers asks The lack of knowledge is what truly therefore concluded that Mr. Owen is Blore if he has an idea who the scares the characters. Both Vera and on the island. He is one of the guests! criminal is. Blore says he has an idea Blore relate the experience to a dream but he doesn't want to say it yet. because they can't find another way to Vera is shocked but Miss Brent The guests fall back on their usual Rogers says it's all like a bad dream explain it. believes that Wargrave's theory is defenses to explain what is going on. and that he has no idea who the killer true: one of them is possessed by the Miss Brent explains it in terms of religion is and that's what scares him the most. devil. Blore blurts out that Lombard and Lombard still keeps his masculine has a revolver and Lombard explains conception of the world. Wargrave says why he does. Lombard then says that that they cannot make any assumptions. the women must not be suspects but Wargrave responds that either of them would have been physically capable of the murders.

Dr. Armstrong is talking to Wargrave, The people who believe they know who After a search, they find Rogers dead Rogers did not veer from his domestic saying that they must escape. the murderer is do not want to share in the woodshed where he had been responsibilities in spite of the danger and Wargrave responds that it's very their information – knowledge is too cutting wood for the kitchen fire. this led to his death. This shows the unlikely that a boat could get to them. precious. Someone has hit him in the back of the rigidity of social roles in this society. Wargrave adds that he believes he bead with a wood chopper. Despite there being a murderer around, knows who the killer is – he has no Rogers still does his job as a servant. concrete evidence but he thinks that one person is clearly indicated. Armstrong doesn't understand. Afterwards they all discuss the Vera is the first to make the connection Miss. Brent is in her room and starts Because Miss Brent will not admit to murder and Vera starts laughing that the murders are following exactly to read her Bible but then puts it feeling any guilt for her actions, she can crazily. She asks if there are bees on along with the “Little Soldiers” nursery down and writes in her diary. She only access these feelings in a moment of the island and everyone stares at her. rhyme. This proves that the murders writes that Macarthur has been killed near madness. All of the stress and She says that the poem goes “Seven have been organized in advance. and that the judge has convinced her mystery is starting to get to her in spite of little soldier boys chopping up sticks” that the murderer is in their midst – her deep and unwavering faith. and the next verse is “six little soldier that one of the guests is possessed by boys playing with a hive.” She keeps the devil. She writes that she knows laughing until Armstrong slaps her, who the killer is and then her eyes calming her. Vera and Miss Brent grow foggy and she writes in all caps, make breakfast. “THE MURDERER'S NAME IS BEATRICE TAYLOR …” All of a Blore comments to Lombard that he Whenever anyone makes an accusation sudden she wakes up and looks at finds it suspicious that Vera cracked it is always disproved in some clean easy what she has written. She thinks that up and then immediately calmed way. There is no theory yet that seems to she must have gone mad. down, and that Miss Brent always really work out. seems utterly calm and was out for a The storm is getting stronger and The storm mirrors the progression of the walk in the morning when it is clearly everyone sits huddled in the living madness on the island. Though the so dangerous to walk out alone. room watching each other. Rogers civilized structures of social life (serving Lombard responds that the real brings tea and the mood lightens. tea) makes everyone feel at least murderer would have made sure to be Then Rogers comes in again and asks momentarily better. back in bed. if anyone knows where the scarlet bathroom curtain went. No one knows Lombard adds that he's glad Blore no The murderer has brought all of the and everyone becomes nervous again. longer suspects him. Lombard then characters to the island to punish them asks Blore for more details about for deaths they caused but for which Dinner is eaten and cleared and Rogers tries to take control of the small what he was accused of by the they could not be convicted. But everyone goes to bed and locks their details that go along with each murder in recorded voice. Blore says that the Lombard's point to Blore—that if Landor doors. Rogers checks the table before order to stop the murders themselves. man he put away, Landor, really was had just not died then Blore wouldn't be he goes to bed, sees that there seven He is randomly groping to try to deal innocent, and that Blore knew he was on the island—points out that the little china figures and locks the door with the chaos. innocent, but put him away anyway in murderer, just like the law itself, isn't to the pantry and the hall and puts the order to get a promotion. Blore said meting out perfect justice. Blore's crime key in his pocket. He feels comforted he didn't know that Landor would die would have been no different if Landor that nothing will happen tonight. He in penal servitude and Lombard says didn't die, but Blore wouldn't be on the checks the closet in his room and this was bad luck for Blore. If that island now if that had happened. These locks the door. hadn't happened he wouldn't be on facts give the lie to any previous idea CHAPTER 11 Soldier Island now. that the murderer was only out for justice. The murderer wants to kill these Lombard wakes early, goes back to Rogers' attempts to maintain the regular people, and just happens to want to kill bed, and by 9:30 am is sitting in his social operation of the house, and his people who have crimes in their pasts. bed, fully dressed and wondering why efforts to avoid the murderer have been no one has called to wake the guests wildly unsuccessful. By ending one up. He goes to find Blore and tells him chapter with Rogers and then starting that although it is almost 10, Rogers is another with his death, Christie shows Blore says he's not going to die like Both Blore and Lombard are self not up yet. how precarious the guests' lives are. the others, but Lombard responds confident enough to believe that they that he will because he has no will get out alive. They do not spend too imagination. Lombard adds that he much time feeling guilty or scared, they himself has been in many a tight are only thinking about how to survive. They wake the rest of the guests By going for a walk Miss Brent shows situation and has a good imagination except Miss Brent, who is not in her that she has no fear for her own life so he believes that he'll get out alive. room. Rogers' room is also empty. because she believes that she is innocent Miss Brent comes back from a walk and hence invincible. outside and Blore tells her that taking a walk was a foolish thing to do.

They check the dining room where Rogers was not able to protect the china Rogers has laid the table for figures even though he had the key. This breakfast. But Vera notices that there again shows he must be dead. are only 6 china figures on the table.

Vera is in the kitchen making When the servant dies the women take Armstrong says that she was killed by Miss Brent was not really killed by a bee breakfast and scolding herself for over the kitchen work, further injection – there is the mark of a sting as it appeared in the vague passage becoming hysterical earlier. She starts demonstrating the rigidity of the social hypodermic syringe in her neck. There describing her death, but the fact that thinking about Hugo and wonders order. Miss Brent is forced to remember is also a bee buzzing in the room and the murderer took the time to put a bee where he is now. Vera wonders how Beatrice Taylor's death on the island and Lombard says this is the mark of the in the room shows how dedicated he or Miss Brent can be so amazingly calm this has shown that maybe she does feel creativity of the killer because the she is to sticking to the form of the and asks why she isn't afraid of dying. guilt. This may be the intent of the verse of the ten little soldier rhyme nursery rhyme. Miss Brent thinks that this is a murderer – to torture the guests by mentions being stung by a bee. ridiculous question: she is not guilty making them feel real remorse for the Wargrave asks if anyone brought a so she will not die. But Miss Brent crimes that they have gotten away with syringe into the house and Armstrong then starts thinking about a dream before actually killing them. says that he did. He then defends she had of Beatrice Taylor last night. himself by saying doctors always Taylor was asking to be let in and travel with one. They go up to check Brent wouldn't because she knew his suitcase where Armstrong says he something terrible would happen to keeps it and it is not there. her if she did. Armstrong claims that someone must Although they do not trust each other, Everyone is outwardly very polite The characters try to maintain and have taken it. Wargrave suggests that the characters believe that if they all give during breakfast, but on the inside outward appearance of calm but fear is they all put whatever drugs or up a bit of power they will be collectively they have “thoughts that ran round in starting to take over completely. weapons they have in a safe place and safer. a circle like squirrels in a cage.” They then search every person and room. all wonder and guess who the After some resistance from Lombard murderer is and who will be killed who doesn't want to give up his next. revolver, they all agree. CHAPTER 12 When Lombard goes to check his Their plan has come too late, someone drawer where the revolver is kept he has already taken the revolver. The After breakfast Wargrave suggests Once she has felt the slightest bit of guilt realizes that it is not there. Each one murderer is one step ahead of them. that they all meet in the drawing room Miss Brent's sense of security fades. She of them submits to a full search and in a half an hour to discuss the is now just as fearful as everyone else is. they turn up with nothing. They lock situation. Vera begins clearing the up all the drugs they have in a place plates and Miss Brent gets up to help where it would be noisy to break into. her but feels too weak to do so. They still cannot find the revolver but Armstrong offers to give her Blore says he knows where the something but she very quickly says, syringe must be. “NO!” because she is suspicious and afraid. He goes to the window outside the The murderer is also very careful to cover dining room and finds the syringe and his or her identity in spite of how quickly They all leave Miss Brent alone in the This is the first death that the reader sees the broken soldier boy. The syringe he or she has to work. Again, although dining room as they clear the table. from the perspective of the character had been carefully wiped. They decide they believe that the murderer is Miss Brent starts to feel drowsy and who is about to die. Yet we still do not to search for the revolver again and amongst them, there is still safety in then hears a buzzing in her ears like a get any real information besides the fact Wargrave says that they should all numbers. No one can survive alone. bee. Then she thinks that she starts to that Miss Brent is plagued by the stay together for safety. They do not hear Beatrice Taylor coming from the memory of the girl she killed at the find the revolver. river; this mixes with the buzzing of moment of her own death. the bee, and then she feels the prick of what feels like a bee stinging the side CHAPTER 13 of her neck. All of them now constantly wonder Although they decide to stay together, who is the murderer. There is no each person is thinking only of him or Everyone else is in the drawing room The fact that Blore believes that Miss longer any semblance of civilized herself. waiting for Miss Brent to come in. Brent is the murderer right after we find conversation or social interaction. Vera volunteers to go get her, but out she has died shows that no one has They are all focused solely on Blore asks her to wait a moment, any real idea what is going on. They are self-preservation. They are all explaining that he thinks Miss Brent is all in the dark. “reverting to more bestial types.” the murderer because of her religious mania. He also says that she never Armstrong wants to do something, The characters one hope seems to be gave an explanation for her anything and Lombard thinks that the escape, but the storm seems to have gramophone recording accusation. weather will clear up at some point come exactly for the purpose of keeping Vera says that she told her about and then they can try to leave. them on the island. Beatrice Taylor and explains the story. Wargrave says that they just must be Blore says that this is only further very careful. proof of her hard heart. Wargrave says that this isn't really The character's one agreed upon plan, to They eat lunch but they no longer sit The civilized order that they held on to proof and suggests that they should watch Miss Brent, is completely useless. at the table. They just stand around in for so long has finally faded. They cannot go get Miss Brent to join them. He She's already dead! the kitchen and eat tongue and fruit keep it up when they are trying only to agrees that Dr. Armstrong should out of cans, staring suspicious at each survive. observe Miss Brent's demeanor. They other. go in to find Miss Brent, blue-faced and dead.

Vera asks if anyone wants tea and Rogers was taking care of all of them, not Blore says “only four of us now . . . Being careful has not helped any of them they all decide that they should watch just serving tea. The remaining guests do Who'll be the next?” And Mr. yet, so they have absolutely no plan of her make it. All of a sudden the lights not know how to keep a house because Armstrong mechanically responds what to do next. go out and they realize that no one they have never fully had to. This seems “We must be very careful,” but stops has been running the engine that to further lower their chances of survival. when Blore tells him this is exactly keeps the lights on since Rogers died. what Wargrave said earlier. Wargrave has seen some candles in the larder and Lombard goes to get They go over the fact that the The group always learns their lessons a them. seaweed was planted in Vera's room fatal second too late. to get them all up there so they would It is only 6:20pm but Vera can't In a state of fear Vera believes that the be distracted. Lombard says that they handle it anymore so she decides to dead Cyril has come to haunt her on the weren't able to hear the shot because go upstairs and take a bath. As she island. Although she is always called of Vera's screaming, the howling of opens her door she smells the sea and “level-headed” by the other characters, the wind, and all the running. But he hears Cyril's voice: he's asking her if Vera loses touch with reality because of says that trick won't work again. he can swim. She tells herself to snap her worry and fear and guilt. out of it but she still smells the sea. All They each then stare at each other There are so few people left that they of a sudden she feels a cold hand on and say they know who the murderer each feel they have a good guess at who her neck, a wet hand that smells of the is – but no one actually gives a name. the murderer is. They all suspect each sea and she screams. They all decide to go to bed, and as other. they are going Blore wonders out The men run upstairs as Vera keeps Vera realizes that it was mostly her loud where the revolver is. screaming and she opens her eyes so mind—her guilt—filling her with fear see all the men around her. She looks drives her even more crazy. She knows When they get upstairs each stands in They only feel safe now when they are up and sees wet seaweed hanging that she is losing it because of all the front of his or her door and then, as if each alone and locked in their rooms. from the ceiling, which is what she felt stress. there were a signal, they all go into against her throat in the darkness. She their room at the exact same time and begins to laugh hysterically. lock the doors behind them.

Someone offers her a drink but as she Vera's need to survive is greater than her In his room Lombard looks in the Lombard still feels that he has some is about to drink it she refuses to confusion caused by fear. mirror and thinks that this insane control over the situation. He has been in because she doesn't know where it island has started to get to him. Then tough spots before. came from. Lombard tells her she has his wolf-like smile flashes out all of a her wits about her, even after her sudden. He undresses and goes over fright. Lombard says that this is one to the table by his bed. He opens the murder that didn't work out. drawer and the revolver is back inside of it. All of a sudden Vera asks where This is the most theatrical of all the Wargrave is. They realize he didn't murders and the murderer has been Vera thinks that she could just stay in Although being alone seems like the follow them up the stairs and go to laying away supplies (wool and curtain) her room for a day or two until safest choice, solitude also brings up the check on him in the living room. He is to plan for it. The murderer makes fun of someone comes to get her. But she old ghosts of Vera's guilt. In this passage sitting in his high backed chair with Wargrave for his belief that he could realizes that if she stays here all alone Vera finally reveals the story that she two candles on either side of him. He discover the crime through careful she will just think of Hugo and Cyril. had hidden for so long. She told Cyril to is wearing a scarlet robe and a judge's thought and investigation. The seaweed She returns to that time in her head: swim out to the rock—knowing that he wig and is bent forward, dead. There is set up in Vera's room now seems to have she tells Cyril that she will distract his would drown in the attempt—in order to a round wound on his forehead where been only a distraction to kill Wargrave. mother so he can swim out to the clear her way to be with Hugo, whom she he was shot. Vera realizes that the wig rock. She worries that something loved. She has held this secret for so long was made from Miss Brent's grey might go wrong. What if Cyril is partly because she believes that no one, wool and Blore notices that the rescued in time? But then she realizes not even Hugo, could know the truth. But scarlet robe was made from the that she can just say that Cyril is lying, now she starts to doubt that her secret missing bathroom curtain. as he always does. She wonders really is a secret. whether Hugo suspected, because Lombard remarks that Wargrave's Because everyone is a suspect, they can after the investigation he left so act of playing court is over. Vera says only be proved innocent by getting killed. quickly and didn't respond to the that just this morning Lombard letter she wrote him. thought that Wargrave was the murderer. Lombard agrees that he did Vera, back in the present, wonders Vera, in spite of her supposed and responds, “Here's one more of us why she felt like Hugo was in the room level-headedness, is slowly becoming who's been proved innocent – too with her this evening. She looks up more obsessive and out of touch with late!” and sees a big black hook in the reality. middle of the room. It was used to CHAPTER 14 hang the seaweed, but she had never noticed it before. She finds the hook After they carry Wargrave's body up In spite of all that has happened Vera mesmerizing. to bed, they all stand around the still believes that she will survive, shown kitchen eating canned tongue by the fact that she talks about the mechanically. Vera comments that future. she will never eat tongue again.

Blore sits in his room and thinks about Constant worry about the revolver Vera, meanwhile, distracts herself by Vera is constantly trying to stay how cocky Wargrave had been. But shows Blore's lack of imagination, as trying to invent ways that Armstrong prepared. She knows how to keep herself even with all his self professed Lombard says. He is focused on the could try to trick her. She realizes that alive. wisdom and care he had died. Blore weapons that the criminal used in the if she needed to she could jump out says to himself that he will not be the past even though these keep changing. the window. She then starts to write next one to go. But he still wishes he in her diary but all of a sudden hears knew the location of the revolver. footsteps. Finally she hears Lombard and Blore asking to come in. They tell Blore lies in bed thinking about every Blore feels some guilt for the first time. her that Armstrong has disappeared. detail from the beginning as he did in But he is able to quickly push this out of Lombard and Blore have looked all The typical sign of one less soldier his police days. He starts seeing the his head so he can focus on survival. over both the island and the house implies that Armstrong is dead, but that faces of Mrs. Rogers and Anthony cannot find Armstrong anywhere. would mean that one of the three Marston. He then sees a face he They also tell her that a pane in the characters left is the murderer. No one doesn't recognize and realizes that it dining room window has been broken knows what to think. is Landor. For the first time he and there are only three soldiers left. wonders what happened to Landor's wife and children. But then he just goes back to wondering where the revolver is. CHAPTER 15 The clock strikes one and Blore hears Blore finally hears a real clue and wants The three remaining guests sit eating Christie has given the remaining a sound as if someone were moving in to do something about it. He knows that breakfast in the kitchen. It is a sunny characters a ray of hope—they only have the darkened house. He noiselessly he should be wary of being tricked but day. The storm has passed. Lombard to survive for about one more day. goes to the door and listens. He the temptation of doing something, suggests that they should try to signal doesn't hear the sound again but he is anything, to try to save himself is too the mainland for help using a mirror. convinced that someone is creeping great. He still keeps a level head and But Lombard adds that although the around in the night. He wants to waits for a little longer. weather is better the sea still hasn't investigate but he knows that this gone down and there will be no way to would be a foolish thing to do because get a boat to the island before he was probably being tempted by the tomorrow. murderer to do just that! Blore wonders what happened to Blore is still preoccupied with the one Blore continues to listen and then all Blore is showing his police training. He Armstrong. He suggests that the known weapon on the island. Lombard's of a sudden he hears cautious also shows that he doesn't distrust doctor might have been thrown into explanation seems reasonable, but footsteps. He definitely hears them everyone. He knows it is not smart to go the sea, but then wonders: by whom? reason doesn't matter anymore. No one pass his door. Blore grabs a lamp from after the murderer alone. Blore says he doesn't know but what can trust anyone else. his bedside to use as a weapon and he does know is that Lombard has the slips out of his room just as he sees a revolver, and maybe he has had the figure pass through the front door. As revolver for the whole time. Lombard he is about to run downstairs he says that this can't be because they all realizes that he is making a fool of searched the house together and the himself. Maybe this was just a trap? revolver was replaced. But Blore still He realizes that he can just check suspects him. which of the rooms are empty. Blore says that the only fair thing to Lombard and Blore have become There is no answer on Armstrong's They have finally been able to form a do now is lock up the revolver and preoccupied with the details but Vera is door, Lombard responds at once as team now that they believe they know both Lombard and Blore can hold a still paying attention to the larger trends. does Vera. Blore explains to Lombard who the murderer is. This is a small key. Vera says that they are both She understands that Armstrong's and they go check on Armstrong's moment of purpose in a long line of acting like idiots and have forgotten disappearance is just a trick. Vera always room where they realize that the door confusing and powerless events. the rhyme. “Four little soldier boys seems one step ahead of everyone else. has been locked from the outside. going out to sea; A red herring They go tell Vera not to leave her swallowed one and then there were room under any circumstances. They three.” She says that Armstrong is the say if Armstrong comes to her door red herring and isn't actually dead. and tells her someone has been killed But Blore says that they searched the Vera understands that you can't always she still shouldn't open it. She should island and Armstrong wasn't there. trust your eyes on the island, but that only open if both Lombard and Blore Vera brings up that they couldn't find everything will follow the rules that the come back and speak to her. the revolver before – everything has murderer has set. Blore says to Lombard that they The characters have come to realize that fit with the nursery rhyme so this should be careful because Armstrong the greatest threat comes from what you must too. must have the revolver, but then do not know. Lombard reveals that the gun has But, referencing the next verse, Blore Blore is too literal. Vera can see the been returned. Blore stops in sudden says that there is no zoo on the island. subtleties – the three of them are barely panic, but Lombard assures him that But Vera says “Don't you see? We're human anymore. Like animals they are he is not going to shoot. Blore is not the Zoo … Last night, we were hardly only trying to survive. afraid of the now known threat of the human anymore. We're the Zoo …” revolver – he as tackled armed criminals before – he is only afraid of the undefined and supernatural danger he cannot see.

They spend the morning at the cliffs The clean, modern house is more Lombard says that Armstrong must They are now convinced that the with a mirror and flashlight tying to frightening than the natural landscape of be in the house and that he is going to murderer must be Armstrong because signal the mainland. There's no the island. They know that they cannot go in and find him. But Vera stops neither of them could have pushed the indication anyone on the mainland control the house, and it holds secrets in Lombard and says that this is probably marble bear onto Blore. noticed. They search the island again spite of its orderly appearance. They feel what Armstrong wants them to do. and see no sign of Armstrong. Vera more comfortable outside now that they says she feels safer outside and they have reverted to a more animalistic agree to stay out of the house for a state. Society, with its rules and justice, is Lombard decides that they should Lombard is trying to hold out until the while, although Blore says they will more threatening to them. find a high place on the island and stay sea calms tomorrow. Now that have to go back in for the night. Vera awake all night. They start walking Armstrong it is only the two of them left says she can't bear it and Lombard and as they get by the sea they see a on the island. tells her that she will be safe enough bundle in the rocks. They go closer locked in her room. and realize that it is Armstrong. He has drowned. Vera feels almost happy in the They feel that they know Armstrong is sunlight. She feels like she can't die. the murderer now, and that he has only CHAPTER 16 Blore says he wants some lunch but hid himself, so with this knowledge Blore Vera refuses to go back into the feels safe enough to venture off alone. He Vera and Lombard slowly look up at Now that there is no one left the only house. They argue a bit over who will can avoid something that he knows each other. They realize that there is thing to do is accuse each other. Vera get the revolver and then Blore gives exists. no one on the island except the two of now sees Lombard as a wicked person up and goes to the house alone to get them. Vera asks how he was able to hit even though she trusted him only a some food. Vera thinks that this is Blore with the marble bear. Lombard moment ago. very risky but Lombard tells her that tells Vera that in killing Blore she Armstrong is unarmed so it can't be pulled off quite a good conjuring trick. too dangerous. Vera feels like she sees Lombard's wolfish face for the first time. Lombard starts to tell Vera that Lombard still doesn't trust Blore, but Blore's story about Armstrong and seems to trust Vera. He mentioned Lombard says that this is the end. He Lombard is confused and hopeless. But the footsteps clears both of them, but earlier that he cant imagine a woman says it almost with acceptance, but Vera still wants nothing more than to it doesn't clear Blore. He says that committing such a crime, even though he Vera only feels rebellion. She says live. She plays off of Lombard's they should be careful of Blore; he knows that she has killed in the past. “Poor Dr. Armstrong.” Vera says that weaknesses and plays the part of a might not even be an ex-policeman. Though it's worth noting that Lombard they should carry him up to the house compassionate, harmless girl. has earlier stated that it is his and get him out of reach of the sea. imagination that will allow him to escape Lombard laughs and agrees and they the island alive. both begin tugging the body. As they get him past the reach of the Vera has played Lombard for a fool and sea, Lombard asks if Vera is satisfied kills him. This is the first murder that we, and she says she is. She shows him his as readers, see. We know that Vera has Lombard says that with his revolver Even when there are so few people left, revolver, which she took from him as killed Lombard, but did she also kill he is going to take good care that they know that they cannot survive they were dragging the body. everyone else? At this point nothing else Blore doesn't get them. He asks Vera alone. They have to trust their unproven Lombard knows that his death is near. seems possible because she is the only why she trusts that he won't just theories and animalistic instincts He tells Vera to give him the revolver one left on the island. Lombard's inability shoot her and Vera says that she has because these are the only tools they and springs towards her. Vera presses to imagine Vera as a killer proved his to trust someone. But Vera still have. ` the trigger. Lombard is dead – shot downfall. believes that Armstrong is the killer through the heart. because she feels like someone is watching them. Vera says she once heard a story Vera believes that there is some Vera feels relieved. She realizes that Vera is exhausted. She has been trying to about two judges in a small American supernatural power controlling this she is hungry and sleepy, but mostly survive for so long and now that she has town that administered Absolute island. Lombard is far too practical to sleepy. She walks toward the house all she wants to do is sleep. She feels no Justice, but in fact the judges didn't think such a thing. Vera still will not and realizes that she doesn't mind remorse for Lombard's death, and feels come from the natural world. admit to her guilt, even though it seems staying here anymore now that safe now that everyone else is gone—all Lombard responds that he doesn't obvious that everyone on the island everyone is gone. As she walks in she society has been eradicated from the believe in the supernatural. Lombard committed some sort of crime. Vera is sees three soldier boys on the dining island. then asks if Vera actually did drown plagued by guilt but also doesn't quite room table and breaks two of them. the kid. Vera denies it and Lombard believe it. She is in denial. She takes the third up to her room. doesn't believe her. He says that the whole thing probably involved a man. Vera remembers the last verse of the Vera misquotes the last line because she Vera admits that it did. nursery rhyme “one little soldier boy is thinking about Hugo, the man whom left all alone; He got married and then she killed for in the first place. The room They both hear a thud and a cry and The bear that was referenced in the “zoo” there were none.” She suddenly feels has been set up to augment and play into run back up to the house. Blore has nursery rhyme. Even this late in the game as if Hugo were in the house. When Vera's guilt—to get her to kill herself. been crushed by a great bock of white the murders are still perfectly planned. she gets up to her room she sees a marble shaped like a bear – the one noose hanging from the hook on that was on the mantelpiece in Vera's ceiling of her room and a chair ready room. to be kicked away. Then she realizes that the last line is really “He went and hanged himself and then there were None.”

The little china figure rolls out of At the moment of her death Vera can Maine then tells Legge about the Wargrave is the only person on the Vera's hand. She is standing in the finally admit her guilt. She is now accusations against all of the guests island who really was not guilty. Even place where she was when she felt punishing herself for what she did after on the island. He mentions that Seton, though Isaac Morris was not on the Cyril's cold wet hand on her throat. having stayed alive for so long. This is the who Wargrave convicted, was found island he was still a victim of the She realizes then that she really did justice the murderer was seeking. The later to really have been guilty. He murderer. murder him. She climbs on the chair, guests have admitted their guilt and also says that Isaac Morris died on the adjusts the noose around her neck received their punishments. night of August 8th when he took an and feels that Hugo is there to see overdose of sleeping pills; there was what she has to do. She kicks away the nothing to show whether it was an chair. accident or suicide. Legge thinks that the death of Morris must be related. EPILOGUE 1 Maine says that they do know why They realize that the murders were all Sir Thomas Legge, the Assistant Scotland Yard is trying to solve the everyone was killed. It must have committed out of a sense of justice – Commissioner at Scotland Yard is mystery, but they do not have much been some person who was fanatical someone was taking the law into his or peaking with Inspector Maine about more evidence than the reader. They about justice. He picked ten people her own hands. Soldier's Island. They can't cannot figure it out. who were beyond the reach of law. He understand how there could be ten killed them and disappeared from the people dead on an island and no island. But it also could have been survivors. Legge wants to know who someone on the island. killed them, but there's very little evidence. Wargrave and Lombard They do have some evidence from the The number of clues left behind such as were shot, Miss Brent and Marston diaries kept on the island by Vera, the diary entries from the guests makes it died of cyanide poisoning, Mrs. Emily Brent and some notes by seem like they should be able to figure Rogers died of an overdose of chloral, Wargrave and Blore. The death out who the murderer is. Rogers head was split open, Blore's occurred in this order: Marston, Mrs. head was crushed, Armstrong Rogers, Miss Brent, Wargrave. Blore drowned, Macarthur's skull was then has a note “Armstrong fractured, and Vera was hanged. disappeared.” The Sticklehaven (mainland) people Isaac Morris left no trail and no clues. Legge thinks that this must mean that But every theory is contradicted by don't know anything except the fact Even with knowledge that the guests on Armstrong killed the others and tried another clue. This is similar to what that the island was owned by a Mr. the island did not have, Scotland Yard to swim out. But Maine tells him that would happen on the island when the Owen and all the arrangements were still cannot figure out the mystery. Armstrong's body was dragged above guests were making wild guesses to made by a man named Isaac Morris. the high water line. Then the people figure out who the murderer was as well. And Morris is also dead. They know left were Vera, Blore and Lombard. that he was mixed up in the drug business and was also involved in financial scandals. He was able to Another piece of evidence is that the There was clearly someone alive on the cover the financial tracks of his revolver was found in Wargrave's island after Vera's death. But it seems employer, Mr. Owen. room with fingerprints on it. Then it clear that everyone was dead by the time seems like Vera could have pushed Vera hanged herself. The Sticklehaven townspeople did not The murderer planned well to make sure the statue on Blore, shot Lombard notice anything strange because the that no one would interfere. and hung herself. But there is one millionaire who owned the island problem with this theory: the chair before always used to have crazy wasn't found kicked over. It was parties. They had come to expect neatly put against the wall. So strange events from the island. someone must have replaced the Fred Narracott tells the police that he The fact that the guests were of mixed chair after Vera's death. was surprised by the people in the classes and did not seem like the friends Therefore it seems like there must With the weather it is impossible that party who went to the island. The fact of millionaires was the real warning have been someone else on the island. anyone escaped. Scotland Yard has not that they were all so normal and quiet signal. With all of the other strange But the Sticklehaven people are sure gotten anywhere. The murder is a led him to violate Mr. Morris's orders things going on this shows how powerful that no one could have left the island mystery. and take a boat to the island to check class structures are in this society. before the rescue boat came. So they out the SOS signals they had been have no idea who committed the sending. The signals were seen by murders. some boy scouts on the mainland on the 11th but they could not get there EPILOGUE 2 until the 12th because of the rough seas. This letter was sent to Scotland Yard The confession of the murder has been by the master of the Emma Jane put in a bottle and thrown out to sea. The gramophone record they found Every single detail was thought out. The fishing trawler. The writer says that The author, and murderer, starts by on the island was made by a theatrical murderer left no tracks. he has been a mass of contradictions explaining his past. company and sent to U. N. Owen, care since his youth. He has always had a of Isaac Morris. It was understood to romantic side: the side that is be a part of an amateur performance attracted to throwing a bottle in the of a new play. Inspector Maine says sea with an important note, which is he has investigated everything as far why he is writing this confession, as he could. putting it in a bottle, and throwing it into the sea.

At the same time he has always taken He is obsessed with both death and Finally he found Morris as the tenth Wargrave needed Morris to organize the a sadistic delight with seeing or justice. He has a black and white sense of victim. He was a dope peddler who details, and also chose him because he causing death, as well as a strong right and wrong. had gotten one of Wargrave's friend's too was guilty (and therefore, according sense of justice. He hates the idea that daughters to take drugs. The girl then to Wargrave's moral system, an innocent person or creature should committed suicide at 21. eliminatable). suffer – he has always “felt strongly that right should prevail.” These natural tendencies led him to These combined obsessions led him to He did not act on the plan for a long Wargrave makes the murders his last enter the legal profession. Crime and eventually become a judge. This way he time, but he finally decided to act act. He knows that he has to go about it punishment has always fascinated him could preserve justice, decide between when he learned from a doctor that he when he is going to die soon. and he loves reading detective novels. right and wrong, and also sentence was ill and would die soon. He wanted He also loves to see a criminal in people to death. He says that he never to die in a blaze of excitement. court, and to sentence them to death. tried to get a death sentence when He has never sentenced an innocent someone was innocent. person, and has always told the jury He used Morris to acquire the island Wargrave has so carefully planned out that there was no case in such and create believable invitations for his mission that it goes exactly as he situations. He has a reputation as a each of his victims. It worked, and wants it to from the very beginning. hanging judge but he says he has only each of the guests arrived on August ever drawn the jury's attention to the 8th. To take care of Morris, Wargrave actual evidence of a case and kept gave him a pill, which he said was for them away from emotional judgments. indigestion, and told him to take it last thing at night. For some years he has felt that he But being a judge was not enough – he wanted to act rather than judge. He really wanted to kill someone, but Wargrave chose the order of his Even though everyone was being killed, wanted to commit a murder himself. without violating his belief that the victims very carefully. He believes Wargrave varied the sentences by He wanted to commit something innocent should not suffer. that there were differing levels of guilt making some suffer longer. He killed theatrical and impossible. But he was and he wanted the most guilty to those who held the least responsibility restrained by the sense that the suffer the longest. He believed that for their murders first. He believes that innocent should not suffer. Marston had no conscience or moral this plan is the must just. He wanted the responsibility and that Mrs. Rogers most guilty to suffer their guilt the Then one day he was talking to a The author of the letter and the had been influenced by her husband. longest. doctor who mentioned how often murderer, Wargrave, realizes that he For Marston he used potassium murders must be committed that the could justifiably (to himself) murder cyanide which one can easily buy to law is unable to touch. The doctor people who had committed crimes that kill wasps. During his sickness, then told the letter writer about the were out of the reach of the law. He Wargrave had been prescribed case of Mr. and Mrs. Rogers. The believes that they deserve death, so he Chloral Hydrate which he kept until doctor believed that they had could kill them himself. he had a lethal amount. He slipped this withheld medicine from the old into Mrs. Rogers' brandy. woman in their care, but he had no way of proving it. Wargrave then Macarthur did not hear Wargrave Wargrave needed help in order to finish realized that this was his opportunity sneak up behind him and his death his plan. He was able to fake his own to commit the perfect murder. was quite painless. Wargrave knew death with the help of the gullible that he now needed an ally to Armstrong. He remembered a rhyme from his He slowly and carefully begins looking for complete the rest of his murders. He childhood about ten little soldier boys people who have committed crimes chose Armstrong because he knew and began collecting his victims. He without being punished. Armstrong was a gullible man. heard about Armstrong while at a Armstrong suspected Lombard, and nursing home. He heard about Wargrave pretended to agree with General Macarthur from a him. He said that he had a scheme to conversation with two old military make the murderer incriminate gossips in his Club. He selected himself. Marston from a large group of people who had committed similar offenses; On the morning of August 10th Wargrave's plan was so tight that no one he heard about Miss Brent while Wargrave killed Rogers while he was even knew that he was sneaking around. traveling in Majorca. He heard about chopping sticks. While they were In spite of his own cold-blooded and Blore through his own line of work in looking for Rogers, Wargrave slipped insensitive ways, Wargrave has an the legal system and a man who had into Lombard's room and stole his incredible sense of human psychology returned from the Amazon told him revolver. And at breakfast he slipped and seems to always know what people about Lombard. the last bit of chloral into Miss Brent's will do in every situation. coffee. Then when everyone left the Finally he ran into a man named Hugo This is the story of Vera's Hugo – she room he injected her with cyanide and Hamilton while crossing the Atlantic. killed Cyril, the child, in order to marry brought the bumble bee into the room Hugo was drunk and told him about a Hugo. Yet Hugo, despite loving Vera, also to fit the nursery rhyme. woman who took a kid out to sea and loved Cyril. And the realization of what let him drown. Hugo knew the Vera had done destroyed his love for her moment he looked at her that she had and filled him with his own guilt. done it. What she didn't realize was that Hugo, whom she had loved, had loved the kid.

Next he convinced Armstrong that he This is how Wargrave really got away Wargrave writes that he thinks this is At this point Wargrave wanted Vera to (Wargrave) needed to be the next with the crime. By taking himself out of an interesting psychological hang herself, and thought she would, but victim because this would rattle the the picture he made sure that the guests experiment: would she cave to her he also could have killed her himself if murderer, who wouldn't expect it. suspected each other so they could not own guilt? He thought she would and she didn't. But her guilt overtook her in They used some plaster of red mud on ever truly work together to save he was right. Vera hanged herself in the end. He moved the chair back to his forehead and Armstrong themselves. front of Wargrave's eyes as he hid confuse everyone. pronounced him dead after all the fuss behind the wardrobe. He then with Vera screaming in her room. returned the chair to its place against the wall and finds the revolver. Armstrong and Wargrave met in the Wargrave has great control over his body At this point he writes that he will now His pride in his own careful task and middle of the night and Wargrave led even though he is a dying old man. The finish this letter and put it in a bottle. sense of extreme justice means he hopes Armstrong far away from the house fact that everyone was locked in their He wanted to invent a murder that no someone will figure out the murder because he convinced Armstrong that rooms, as he knew they would be, helped. one could solve but he knows he will eventually. It is important t him to be no one should see them. Wargrave not be satisfied unless there is the seen as a man who committed the then pushed Armstrong over a cliff. possibility that someone will find out “perfect” crime. Wargrave returned to the house and about his brilliance. intentionally made some noise in Armstrong's room to wake the others up. They saw him walk through the door but he looped back into the He believes that the mystery will The mark of Cain on Wargrave's head house and got into bed because he remain unsolved but there are three (the wound on him) shows that he is the knew that they would search the clues. 1. The police know that Edward secret murderer, just as Cain was a house again but not look too carefully Seton was guilty and that therefore murderer in the Bible. This allusion also at any of the corpses. out of the ten people only one is implies that Wargrave know that innocent. 2. From the rhyme they although he was doing this out of a sense Wargrave then writes that he forgot Although this seems unnecessary at first, know that Armstrong's death was a of justice, he is also evil himself. to mention that he returned the placing the revolver back in Lombard's “red herring” so at this moment there revolver to Lombard's room. He had room ensured that Vera could kill must have been something strange hidden it in a food tin at the bottom of Lombard. going on. 3. A symbolic reason: the the pantry. He had hidden the red mark of Cain on Wargrave's head. curtain under one of the drawing room chairs. After throwing the letter into sea, Wargrave very carefully kills himself at Wargrave writes that he will go up to the end to make it appear as if he were He knew that the three people would Wargrave seems to be almost his room and attach an elastic cord to murdered. He knows that he is already now be terrified of each other and one omniscient. He knew, based on their his glasses, he will lay on his glasses sick and he has committed his last great of them would have a revolver. When characters, that Blore would separate and will loop the cord around the door act of his life so he feels no fear or worry Blore came up to the house, himself from the group and that Vera handle and attach it to the revolver. about dying. Wargrave pushed the marble clock was actually braver and more ruthless His hand, protected by a onto him. From the window he than Lombard. handkerchief, will press the trigger watched Vera shoot Lombard and and the revolver will recoil to the door then wondered excitedly whether she having been pulled by the elastic cord. would play into the stage he set for The elastic will just hang down from her in her bedroom. the glasses and the handkerchief will rest on the ground. It will look as if he were shot through the head as the accounts claim. When the sea goes down they will find The sea, which isolated all his victims on ten dead bodies and an unsolved the island, will now hold Wargrave's mystery on Soldier Island. He signs secret. the letter: Lawrence Wargrave.