Dr. Constantine Quotes in Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

Countess Andrenyi: As is my custom on night trains, I took trional.

[Poirot makes a noise and looks at the doctor]

Dr. Constantine: Diethylsulphone dimethyl methane. One dilutes the white crystals with water. It is a strong hypnotic.

Countess Andrenyi: Ha, ha! He makes it sound like a poison!

Dr. Constantine: As with most sleeping drugs, if taken in sufficient quantities it IS a poison.

Count Andrenyi: [jumping up] You are not-!

Hercule Poirot: Ah, you are not *accused*... you are *ex*-cused! Thank you both for your help and cooperation.

Hercule Poirot: If all these people are not implicated in the crime, then why have they all told me, under interrogation, stupid and often unnecessary lies? Why? Why? Why? Why?

Dr. Constantine: Doubtless, Monsieur Poirot, because they did not expect you to be on the train. They had no time to concert their cover story.

Hercule Poirot: I was hoping someone other than myself would say that.

Dr. Constantine: The murderer is with us now!

[the sound of a distant train whistle]

Bianchi: I fear that help is at hand. Even if it is only a working party with picks and shovels, we must make haste to complete this inquiry before we reach Brod. If it is an engine with a snowplow, our troubles will really begin.

Dr. Constantine: Who's next?

Hercule Poirot: Mrs. Hubbard.

[Bianchi reacts as if his troubles HAVE already begun]

Bianchi: Oh, my God.

Dr. Constantine: [referring to Pierre] He had the means to do it. The passkey to Ratchett's room.

Hercule Poirot: And a knife borrowed from the chef.

Bianchi: With whom he was in league.

Hercule Poirot: Which he plunged, repeatedly and without motive, into the body of his suitably astonished victim.

Hercule Poirot: The obvious implication is that the murderer, disguised as a conductor, boarded the train at Belgrade, made his way by means of the convenient passkey to Ratchett's compartment, stabbed him to death, planted the dagger and the uniform, and then departed, since the train was now halted in a snowdrift. Who was he? I am inclined to agree with Mr Foscarelli, who believes that he was a rival member of the Mafia, exacting private vengeance for a vendetta whose precise nature the Yugoslav police will undoubtedly identify.

Dr. Constantine: But... is that all?

Hercule Poirot: No. No, no, no, no. No, it is not. I said, here is the simple answer. There is also a more... complex one. But remember my first solution when I... when you've heard my second.