While the rest of the party ride camels up the rock overlooking the Second Cataract, Mrs. Allerton and Poirot make their way up the rock on foot. Richetti is absent, having arranged an excursion for himself to Semna, a site of historical significance.

Poirot and Mrs. Allerton discuss yesterday’s near-disaster with the boulder, and Mrs. Allerton asks whether local children might have rolled the boulder without meaning any harm. Poirot changes the subject, and as Mrs. Allerton discusses her dislike for Joanna Southwood, she reflects on her own fondness for Poirot, and Tim’s lack of tolerance for him.

Meanwhile, Tim tells Rosalie about his bad luck: he suffers from poor health, which prohibits him from taking up an occupation and leaves him with little money.

When the tourists return to the Karnak, Linnet sees a telegram and thinks it is for her; however, when she opens it to see that it is a message about beets and potatoes, she does not understand. Richetti appears, saying that the telegram is for him, and takes it from her rudely, “fixing her with a furious glare” (159). Linnet attempts to explain that her maiden name, “Ridgeway,” looks similar at first glance to “Richetti,” but Richetti remains upset.