Norton's Locked-Room Death

Norton's apparent suicide is revealed as Poirot's carefully staged execution, using disguise, duplicate keys, and Hastings's unknowing testimony.

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The Observation Kept Back

A Witness Withheld An accidental sighting Norton sees something through his bird-watching telescope and becomes distressed when Hastings asks to look. He says the sighting might matter but refuses to disclose it. A dangerous secret Poirot insists that Norton must not hint at the observation and summons him privately. The secret threatens to reopen the Franklin case and gives Poirot a reason to act immediately.

Poirot Identifies the Observer

The Hidden Instigator Named A confrontation in private Norton tells Poirot he saw two people, but Poirot already understands his role in the earlier cases. He identifies Norton as the person who has repeatedly pushed others toward violence. No denial, no escape Norton smirks and challenges Poirot about what he can do. Poirot decides that ordinary legal procedures cannot stop him before he manipulates another person or harms the innocent.

Drugged Chocolate

A Quiet Execution Begins A chosen method Poirot offers Norton chocolate containing sleeping medicine and announces that he intends to kill him. Norton asks to drink from Poirot's cup instead, not knowing Poirot has developed tolerance to the drug. The unequal dose Both men take the same preparation, but only Norton falls asleep. Poirot's choice turns a social ritual into a controlled execution that can be concealed from the household.

A False Return to the Room

A Locked-Room Performance A borrowed appearance Poirot dons Norton's checked dressing gown and imitates his height and limp. He appears in the corridor so Hastings will believe Norton has returned to his room and locked the door. The staged discovery Poirot takes Norton back to his room, shoots him, places the key in his pocket, and locks the door with a duplicate. The apparent suicide is built from an eyewitness's confidence and physical evidence.

The Body Found

The Second Locked Door A familiar arrangement Norton is found dead in his room with the key in his pocket, a pistol in his hand, and a centered wound to the forehead. The household reads the scene as suicide. Poirot's last warning Poirot rejects that conclusion and tells Hastings Norton was murdered. Hastings realizes too late that the person who knows what Norton saw is now exposed; he then discovers Poirot has died as well.

After Norton looks through his telescope on the wooded knoll

During Norton's private evening visit to Poirot

That same evening, during the private confrontation

Later that night, after the household settles

The morning after the storm