# Rufus Van Aldin — The Mystery of the Blue Train character guide > Rufus Van Aldin in The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Van Aldin, Van Aldin, M. Van Aldin, Monsieur Van Aldin **First appearance:** 0005-iv-in-curzon-street ## Snapshot A ruthless American millionaire whose grief for his murdered daughter hardens into a demand for justice, whatever the cost to anyone else. ## Who they are Van Aldin built his fortune by trusting his own judgement, and he brings that same blunt certainty to his daughter's death, immediately naming Derek Kettering a scoundrel and the Comte de la Roche a murderer. His grief is real but tightly controlled, expressed in a shaded hand and a quiet 'thank you, my dear' rather than in tears. He hires Poirot, funds the investigation, and pushes the French authorities hard. His wealth and impatience make him a force the story must reckon with, even when his conclusions are wrong. ## In the story ### [The Mystery of the Blue Train](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/the-mystery-of-the-blue-train) Ruth's powerful father, who is deeply concerned about his daughter's safety and marriage. ### [Heart of Fire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/iii-heart-of-fire) Returns to the Savoy, receives a troubling letter from his daughter, and shows Knighton the ruby necklace he plans to give her. ### [In Curzon Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/iv-in-curzon-street) Visits his daughter in Curzon Street, urges her to divorce Derek, gives her the 'Heart of Fire' rubies, and later arranges to hire Mr. Goby and meet Derek. ### [A Useful Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/v-a-useful-gentleman) Hires Mr. Goby to investigate Derek Kettering; confronts Derek about the divorce; later presses Ruth for the truth behind Derek's hints. ### [VI: Mirelle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/vi-mirelle) Mentioned as having demanded a divorce for Ruth and as the purchaser of the 'Heart of Fire' ruby. ### [An Offer Refused](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/ix-an-offer-refused) Van Aldin is referenced as the source of the bribe offer and the threat to break Derek financially. ### [X: On the Blue Train](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/x-on-the-blue-train) Sees Ruth off at Victoria Station; notices her unusual nervousness. ### [Van Aldin Gets a Telegram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xiii-van-aldin-gets-a-telegram) Working in his Savoy suite, agitated by news of Ruth's maid in Paris, receives telegram of Ruth's murder, and prepares to leave for Nice. ### [XIV: Ada Mason's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xiv-ada-mason-s-story) Distressed by the news of his daughter's death and the revelation that she had the rubies with her. ### [The Comte de la Roche](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xv-the-comte-de-la-roche) Reads the incriminating letter and reluctantly shares details about the Comte de la Roche's past with his daughter. ### [XVI: Poirot Discusses the Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xvi-poirot-discusses-the-case) Van Aldin admits to offering Derek Kettering money for an undefended divorce and hires Poirot to investigate the murder. ### [Katherine Makes a Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xx-katherine-makes-a-friend) Meets with Katherine to hear her account of Ruth's last conversation; questions her about Ruth's possible change of plans. ### [At the Tennis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxi-at-the-tennis) Meets the group at the tennis; is shown the recovered rubies by Poirot and expresses astonishment. ### [M. Papopolous Breakfasts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxii-m-papopolous-breakfasts) Poirot states he is working for Van Aldin, not the police, in seeking the murderer. ### [A New Theory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxiii-a-new-theory) Receives Poirot at his hotel; is thunderstruck by the suggestion that Derek might have been the man on the train and by the revelation about the jewels. ### [XXIV: Poirot Gives Advice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxiv-poirot-gives-advice) Listens to Poirot's revelations about the Comte and Derek, and later calls Poirot to report Mason's certainty that the man in Paris was Derek. ### [Interview with Mirelle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxvii-interview-with-mirelle) Refuses to see Mirelle; Knighton and Poirot act on his behalf despite his wishes. ### [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 remaining in London; Poirot plans to see him soon. ### [A New Theory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxxiii-a-new-theory) Reluctantly agrees to accompany Poirot to the south of France to investigate the new theory. ### [The Blue Train Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-blue-train-again) Travels on the Blue Train with Poirot and Knighton, struggling with painful memories of his daughter's murder. ### [Explanations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/chapters/xxxv-explanations) Listens to Poirot's explanation, expresses gratitude and relief. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_the_blue_train_se/characters/rufus_van_aldin - 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