# Ashton-Kirk, Investigator — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Ashton-Kirk, Investigator by John T. McIntyre.

- [Ashton-Kirk, Investigator](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/ashton-kirk-investigator.md): The chapter introduces Ashton-Kirk, a renowned investigator, and his assistant Pendleton. It sets the stage for the investigation into the murder of David Purtell Hume, with Miss Edyth Vale seeking Ashton-Kirk's help.
- [Pendleton Calls Upon Ashton-Kirk](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/i-pendleton-calls-upon-ashton-kirk.md): Pendleton visits his friend Ashton-Kirk at his old family home in a now-deteriorating neighborhood. They discuss literature, crime, and murder as a subject of fascination. Pendleton reveals that he has arranged for Miss 
- [Miss Edyth Vale States Her Case](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/ii-miss-edyth-vale-states-her-case.md): Miss Edyth Vale visits Ashton-Kirk to seek his help regarding a mysterious and threatening situation involving her fiancé, Allan Morris. She describes a mocking shopkeeper, Hume, who seems to have a hold over Morris, and
- [III: The Portraits of General Wayne](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/iii-the-portraits-of-general-wayne.md): Ashton-Kirk reflects on the evening's drama and the parallels to Miss Edyth Vale's own hesitancy. He reviews reports on Allan Morris and David Purtell Hume, while Pendleton recounts Miss Vale's mysterious disappearance a
- [IV: Stillman's Theory](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/iv-stillman-s-theory.md): Ashton-Kirk and Pendleton observe the crime scene and the body of Hume, noting a bayonet wound and a bruise on the forehead. Coroner Stillman arrives with his assistant and begins his investigation, questioning the polic
- [Stillman Asks Questions](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/v-stillman-asks-questions.md): Coroner Stillman interviews three witnesses about the murder of David Purtell Hume: Mrs. Dwyer, the scrubwoman who discovered the body; Isidore Brolatsky, Hume's clerk; and Franz Berg, a local delicatessen dealer. Brolat
- [VI: Ashton-Kirk Looks About](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/vi-ashton-kirk-looks-about.md): Ashton-Kirk and Pendleton follow up on Berg's tip about a cab seen near the crime scene, track down the driver Sams, and learn that a woman driving a Maillard automobile entered Hume's building shortly before a gunshot a
- [VII: The Schwartz-Michael Bayonet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/vii-the-schwartz-michael-bayonet.md): Ashton-Kirk and Pendleton examine the bayonet used to murder Hume. Fuller brings the weapon and reports that Berg identified a photograph of Allan Morris as Hume's secret visitor. Ashton-Kirk deduces the bayonet is a Sch
- [IX: Miss Vale Tells What She Knows](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/ix-miss-vale-tells-what-she-knows.md): Miss Vale visits Ashton-Kirk, apologizing for her earlier deception. She recounts Allan Morris's agitated behavior the day before the murder, her fear that he might be guilty, and her subsequent belief in his innocence. 
- [X: Ashton-Kirk Asks Questions](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/x-ashton-kirk-asks-questions.md): Ashton-Kirk and Pendleton discuss the sensational newspaper coverage of the Hume case. Pendleton is agitated by the press's treatment of Miss Vale and blames Allan Morris. Ashton-Kirk remains calm and proposes a methodic
- [XI: Pendleton Is Vastly Enlightened](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/xi-pendleton-is-vastly-enlightened.md): Ashton-Kirk demonstrates to Pendleton how the bell on Hume's showroom door produced a sound like a pistol shot, and explains that the intruder was unfamiliar with the building. He then reveals that the candle drippings o
- [XII: Antonio Spatola Appears](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/xii-antonio-spatola-appears.md): Ashton-Kirk and Pendleton arrive at the City Hall cell room to find Osborne, Bernstine, and Sime already there. Sime identifies the bayonet but cannot identify Spatola as the buyer. Ashton-Kirk speaks with Spatola, learn
- [A New Light on Allan Morris](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/xiii-a-new-light-on-allan-morris.md): Ashton-Kirk and Pendleton visit the lodging house of Antonio Spatola, where they interview the landlady Mrs. Marx and a machinist. They learn about Spatola's background, his loss of employment, and his multilingual abili
- [Miss Vale Unexpectedly Appears](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/xiv-miss-vale-unexpectedly-appears.md): Ashton-Kirk and Pendleton dine early and then drive to the Mercer Institute to visit Professor Locke. After a confusing encounter with a local, they reach Locke's cottage and workshop, where they witness a tense scene: L
- [Miss Vale Departs Suddenly](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/xv-miss-vale-departs-suddenly.md): Ashton-Kirk and Pendleton observe Miss Vale meeting secretly with the mute Professor Locke, leading Ashton-Kirk to conclude she has not been entirely truthful. He deliberately reveals himself at the window, causing Miss 
- [Steel Against Steel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/xvi-steel-against-steel.md): Ashton-Kirk visits Miss Edyth Vale, engaging her in a discussion of Ibsen's 'Rosmersholm' to probe her psychological state. He subtly challenges her composure, revealing his suspicion that she was out the previous night 
- [XVII: What Happened on the Road](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/xvii-what-happened-on-the-road.md): Miss Edyth Vale drives a Maillard car into the suburbs, unknowingly pursued by an Italian laborer (Antonio Spatola) on a motorcycle. She attempts to shake him off with ruses, but he skillfully tracks her. Eventually, she
- [XVIII: Ashton-Kirk Tells Why](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/xviii-ashton-kirk-tells-why.md): Ashton-Kirk explains to Pendleton how he deduced that Miss Vale has been secretly visiting Allan Morris, and recounts following her to Morris's hiding place. He deciphers a coded message from Morris to Miss Vale, leading
- [XIX: The Two Reports](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/xix-the-two-reports.md): After dinner, Ashton-Kirk and Pendleton receive two investigative reports. Burgess's report on Hume reveals his past as a smuggler and his connection to Richard Morris, Allan Morris's father, through a mutual acquaintanc
- [XX: One of the Old Sort](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/xx-one-of-the-old-sort.md): Ashton-Kirk and Pendleton visit Mr. Tobin at his apartment house, where Tobin reveals his past as the philosopher of the Coffin Club and shares insights about Hume's character and ancestry. Ashton-Kirk urges Tobin to adv
- [Ashton-Kirk Begins to Plan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/xxi-ashton-kirk-begins-to-plan.md): Ashton-Kirk reveals to Pendleton that he has deduced the motive for the murder, the identity of the murderer, and the location where they will be captured. He arranges with Superintendent Weagle to withdraw the police gu
- [XXII: Ashton-Kirk Is Annoyed](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/xxii-ashton-kirk-is-annoyed.md): Ashton-Kirk visits Miss Vale's house, encountering reporters and Osborne, who has failed to get information from her. Inside, Ashton-Kirk confronts Miss Vale about her involvement with Allan Morris and her visit to Locke
- [The Secret of the Portrait](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/xxiii-the-secret-of-the-portrait.md): Pendleton confesses his long-standing love for Edyth Vale and his feelings of inadequacy compared to Allan Morris. Ashton-Kirk and Pendleton disguise themselves and secretly enter 478 Christie Place after the police deta
- [The Second Night](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/xxiv-the-second-night.md): During the second night of their vigil in Hume's rooms, Pendleton and Ashton-Kirk wait in near silence. A woman, later revealed to be Edyth Vale, enters the darkened suite. After a tense pause, a second intruder, M. Sago
- [XXV: Approaching the Finish](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/xxv-approaching-the-finish.md): Pendleton spends the night at Ashton-Kirk's and learns that Locke was observed lurking around Christie Place the previous night. Allan Morris arrives, confessing his involvement with the missing monoplane plans and his s
- [The Finish](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/xxvi-the-finish.md): Ashton-Kirk and Pendleton confront the mute Locke at his workshop, where Locke reveals a bomb and gives them two minutes to escape before detonating it, killing himself. The chapter concludes with the case's resolution a
- [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ashton_kirk_investigator_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations.md): A simple list of illustrations, each marked by three horizontal lines stacked vertically with a squiggly symbol above the middle.

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