# M. Papopolous — The Mystery of the Blue Train character guide

> M. Papopolous in The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Papopolous, Monsieur Papopolous

**First appearance:** 0023-xxii-m-papopolous-breakfasts

## Snapshot

A courteous Parisian dealer in antiquities whose respectable shopfront conceals a brisk trade in jewels that were never legally his to sell.

## Who they are

Papopolous moves through the story with the polished manners of a connoisseur, but his real business lies in the shadow market for precious stones, where reputations are quietly traded and rubies change hands without provenance. He knows the value of the Kettering ruby and the people who would pay for it, making him a natural conduit between the criminal world and Poirot's inquiries. His genial discretion and his willingness to talk, for a price, make him one of the most useful and least trustworthy figures in the investigation.

## Relationships

### [Hercule Poirot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/hercule_poirot)

_professional_

Poirot consults Papopolous, an antique dealer, for information about stolen jewels.

### [Hercule Poirot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/hercule_poirot)

_professional_

Poirot consults Papopolous, an antique dealer, for information about stolen jewels.

### [Hercule Poirot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/hercule_poirot)

_professional_

Poirot consults Papopolous, an antique dealer, for information about stolen jewels.

## In the story

### [II: M. le Marquis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/ii-m-le-marquis)

The antique dealer who meets with M. le Marquis at his shop late at night; he is described as venerable, with a white beard, and known for his discretion and dealings with European royalty.

### [M. Papopolous Breakfasts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxii-m-papopolous-breakfasts)

At breakfast with his daughter; examines the imitation rubies and confirms they are fakes. Reminded of Poirot's past service, he cryptically advises Poirot about a horse named 'the Marquis.'

### [XXVIII: Poirot Plays the Squirrel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxviii-poirot-plays-the-squirrel)

Dines with Poirot and Zia; later seen talking with Mirelle in the Casino hall; is in possession of the rubies.

### [Explanations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxxv-explanations)

Encountered by Poirot in the hotel lounge; implicated in selling a ruby to Mirelle.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/m_papopolous
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters