The Red Herrings: Handkerchief, Pipe-cleaner, and Kimono

The conspirators plant false clues—a handkerchief, a pipe-cleaner, and a scarlet kimono—to mislead the investigation, but Poirot eventually sees through them.

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The Handkerchief with Initial H

The Handkerchief with Initial H The Clue Poirot finds a fine cambric handkerchief with an embroidered 'H' in the victim's compartment. It is a woman's handkerchief, expensive and French. It points to someone with the initial H: Mrs. Hubbard, Mary Debenham (Hermione), or Hildegarde Schmidt. The Investigation Poirot questions each woman. Mrs. Hubbard denies it, Mary Debenham says it's not hers, and Hildegarde Schmidt hesitates. Eventually, Princess Dragomiroff claims it as hers, stating that 'H' in Russian is 'N' for Natalia. This seems to exonerate the others. The Truth Poirot realizes the handkerchief was planted to incriminate the princess or to confuse. The princess's confession is a red herring, but it also shows her loyalty to the conspirators. The handkerchief ultimately doesn't solve the case.

The Pipe-cleaner

The Pipe-cleaner The Evidence A pipe-cleaner is found on the floor of Ratchett's compartment. Since Ratchett smoked cigars, it must belong to someone else. The only passenger who smokes a pipe is Colonel Arbuthnot. This seems to implicate him. The Interrogation Arbuthnot admits that the pipe-cleaner could be his, but he denies dropping it there. He has a strong alibi: he was with MacQueen until 1:30 AM. Poirot considers the possibility that the pipe-cleaner was planted to frame the Colonel. The Conclusion Poirot decides that the pipe-cleaner is a deliberate misdirection, especially since Arbuthnot's connection to the Armstrong case is not immediately obvious. It is one of several false clues that the conspirators left to confuse the investigation.

The Scarlet Kimono

The Scarlet Kimono The Phantom Kimono Several witnesses claim to have seen a woman in a scarlet kimono with dragons on it during the night. Poirot himself sees it disappearing down the corridor. This creates the impression of a mysterious woman who might be involved. The Search When the passengers' luggage is searched, no scarlet kimono is found. Later, Poirot discovers it neatly folded in his own suitcase. It was planted there while he was interviewing witnesses. The Purpose The scarlet kimono is a red herring designed to make it seem that a woman was on the train and could have committed the murder. It also serves to distract from the actual conspiracy. Poirot recognizes it as a theatrical prop, likely from the actress Linda Arden.

Found in Ratchett's compartment, morning after murder

Found in Ratchett's compartment, morning after murder

During the night of the murder and later found in Poirot's luggage