# Major Knighton — The Mystery of the Blue Train character guide > Major Knighton in The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Knighton, Richard Knighton **First appearance:** 0005-iv-in-curzon-street ## Snapshot Van Aldin's discreet, efficient secretary, whose quiet competence and unreadable loyalty make him a fixed point in a world of shifting suspects. ## Who they are Knighton serves as right hand to the American millionaire Van Aldin, handling sensitive business with a tact that keeps him close to every development in the Kettering case. His very self-effacement makes him hard to read: is he merely the faithful functionary he appears, or does his proximity to great wealth and private grief conceal something more complicated? As the investigation gathers pace, his steady presence at Van Aldin's side quietly shapes which facts reach the detective and which do not. ## Relationships ### [Ruth Kettering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/ruth_kettering) _professional_ Knighton serves as Ruth's secretary and confidant, handling her affairs with loyalty. ### [Hercule Poirot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/hercule_poirot) _professional_ Poirot interviews Knighton as a key witness and assistant in the case, maintaining polite cooperation. ### [Katherine Grey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/katherine_grey) _friendship_ Katherine and Knighton share a cordial, supportive relationship as they assist Poirot. ### [Ruth Kettering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/ruth_kettering) _professional_ Knighton serves as Ruth's secretary and confidant, handling her affairs with loyalty. ### [Ruth Kettering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/ruth_kettering) _professional_ Knighton serves as Ruth's secretary and confidant, handling her affairs with loyalty. ### [Hercule Poirot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/hercule_poirot) _professional_ Poirot interviews Knighton as a key witness and assistant in the case, maintaining polite cooperation. ### [Hercule Poirot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/hercule_poirot) _professional_ Poirot interviews Knighton as a key witness and assistant in the case, maintaining polite cooperation. ### [Katherine Grey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/katherine_grey) _friendship_ Katherine and Knighton share a cordial, supportive relationship as they assist Poirot. ### [Katherine Grey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/katherine_grey) _friendship_ Katherine and Knighton share a cordial, supportive relationship as they assist Poirot. ## In the story ### [Heart of Fire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/iii-heart-of-fire) Van Aldin's secretary, sorting correspondence in the suite; he is shown the Heart of Fire rubies. ### [In Curzon Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/iv-in-curzon-street) Van Aldin's secretary, who is instructed to arrange meetings with Mr. Goby and Derek Kettering. ### [A Useful Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/v-a-useful-gentleman) Van Aldin's secretary; announces Mr. Goby's arrival and later ushers Derek Kettering into the room. ### [An Offer Refused](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/ix-an-offer-refused) Knighton delivers Van Aldin's offer to Derek, acting as an unwilling messenger. ### [Van Aldin Gets a Telegram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xiii-van-aldin-gets-a-telegram) Secretary to Van Aldin, reports seeing Ruth's maid in Paris and helps arrange travel after the murder news. ### [Katherine Makes a Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xx-katherine-makes-a-friend) Present at Van Aldin's suite, introduces Katherine, and later admits to being distracted by her. ### [At the Tennis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxi-at-the-tennis) Invites Katherine to the tennis; discusses the case and his belief in Poirot's abilities. ### [A Warning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxvi-a-warning) Knighton shyly declares his love for Katherine and offers his help if she is ever in trouble. ### [Interview with Mirelle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxvii-interview-with-mirelle) Seeks out Poirot to discuss Mirelle's request to see Van Aldin; arranges the interview with Mirelle despite Van Aldin's refusal. ### [Miss Viner Gives Judgment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxx-miss-viner-gives-judgment) Knighton writes to Katherine requesting a visit, comes to lunch, and shows clear affection for her. ### [XXXII: Katherine and Poirot Compare Notes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxxii-katherine-and-poirot-compare-notes) Mentioned as someone Katherine has seen since returning to England. ### [A New Theory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxxiii-a-new-theory) Present during the meeting; expresses surprise at the new theory and mentions having seen Katherine Grey. ### [The Blue Train Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-blue-train-again) Accompanies Van Aldin and Poirot; is revealed to be the Marquis and is arrested at Lyons. ### [Explanations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxxv-explanations) Revealed as the mastermind behind the murder, working with Ada Mason; faked his limp and framed Derek Kettering. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/major_knighton - 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