Wargrave loops an elastic cord through the gun, tying one end of the cord to his eyeglasses, and looping the other around the doorknob of an open door. Then he will wrap a handkerchief around the handle of the gun and shoot himself in the head. His body fell back as though laid there by Armstrong. The gun's recoil will send it to the doorknob and out into the hallway, detaching the cord and pulling the door closed. The cord will dangle innocuously from his glasses, and the stray handkerchief should not arouse suspicion.
Mr. Justice Wargrave is a retired judge.
In "And Then There Were None," Judge Wargrave is accused of being responsible for the deaths of all the other guests on Indian Island. There is evidence suggesting that he orchestrated the murders under the alias "U.N. Owen" to enact his own twisted sense of justice.
Indian Island
Lawrence Wargrave faked his death with the help of Dr. Armstrong. Dr. Armstrong injected Justice Wargrave with a medicine that slowed down his heartbeat, making it appear as though he had died from a gunshot wound.
Meeting Wargrave seemed odd to Armstrong because he believes that Wargrave died before the events on the island started. Armstrong's confusion stems from the fact that he thought Wargrave had been executed for his role in a trial where the accused was found guilty and sentenced to death.
In "And Then There Were None," Justice Wargrave's confession in the bottle reveals his true identity as the murderer orchestrating the deaths on the island. He admits to his crimes and explains his motivations for wanting to deliver his own form of justice.
Justice Wargrave becomes involved in crime by manipulating the circumstances to create an opportunity for murder. He uses his position of authority and respect to gain the trust of the other characters, only to ultimately betray them by orchestrating a series of killings on the island. His cunning and calculating nature allow him to meticulously plan and execute the murders without raising suspicion.
At the outset of the novel, Ten Little Indians (US title), Mr. Justice Wargrave is actually dead. The novel is told in the past tense, through letters, diaries and transcripts.
Vera Claythorne is a former governess who feels guilt over the death of her charge, while Justice Wargrave is a retired judge who orchestrates the murders on the island to deliver his own form of justice. Vera is more emotionally vulnerable and conflicted, while Wargrave is calculated and believes in the righteousness of his actions.
The character Justice Wargrave in Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None" believes he is acting justly by punishing those he deems guilty of unpunished crimes. However, his method of achieving justice through murder can be seen as unjust and morally questionable. Ultimately, his actions blur the line between justice and vengeance.
Justice Wargrave deduces that the murderer is someone who thrives on manipulation and psychologically manipulating their victims. He also believes the murderer has a penchant for stagecraft and enjoys the dramatic aspect of their crimes.
In "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie, Justice Wargrave is characterized as an elderly man. His exact age is not specified in the book, but he is described as being an older individual with a considerable amount of experience and authority.