early in the story
Departure from Aleppo
On a freezing winter morning at five o'clock, Hercule Poirot boards the Taurus Express in Aleppo, Syria, after successfully completing a delicate mission for the French Army. Lieutenant Dubosc sees him off with elaborate politeness, and Poirot settles into his sleeping compartment as the train departs. This opening establishes Poirot's reputation as a master detective and sets the stage for his journey toward Constantinople.