Death of Emily Brent

After breakfast, Emily Caroline Brent is found dead in the dining-room, killed by an injection of potassium cyanide. A hypodermic syringe is found outside the window, and a broken china figure lies beside it. The death corresponds to the fifth line of the rhyme: 'A bumblebee stung one and then there were five.' The killer has used a bee as a symbolic touch, as the rhyme mentions a bumblebee. The guests are horrified by the theatricality of the murder. The syringe belongs to Dr. Armstrong, who claims it was stolen. Suspicion falls on him, but no one can prove anything. The group is now reduced to five: Wargrave, Armstrong, Lombard, Blore, and Vera.