# XXV: Approaching the Finish explained — Ashton-Kirk, Investigator

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

## What happens

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 strained relationship with Miss Vale. Ashton-Kirk reveals that Sagon used a bayonet as a form of poetic justice for Hume's betrayal of their smuggling league.

## Themes in this chapter

### Detective Method and Reasoning

Ashton-Kirk explains his reasoning behind Locke's actions and Sagon's choice of weapon, demonstrating deductive logic.

### Secrecy and Deception

Locke's secretive lurking, Hume's denial of the plans, and Morris's hidden financial troubles all involve deception.

### Crime and Morality

The chapter explores the moral dimensions of revenge, theft, and the consequences of criminal associations.

## Character check-ins

### Ashton Kirk

Reveals Locke's movements and the motive behind Sagon's use of a bayonet; explains the resolution of the case.

### Pendleton

Spends the night at Ashton-Kirk's and demands a full explanation of the case.

### Allan Morris

Visits Ashton-Kirk, confesses his financial troubles and his father's stolen monoplane plans, and reveals his broken engagement with Miss Vale.

### Professor Locke

Reported by Burgess to have been lurking around Christie Place and entering the Marx house.

### Antonio Spatola

Mentioned as having been confronted; his use of a bayonet is explained as poetic justice.

### Miss Edyth Vale

Mentioned as having broken her engagement with Allan Morris after her dangerous adventures.

## Key lines

> I gave them the heads of the case very plainly, but as it was almost the hour for going to press, I suppose they did not get the finer points of my meaning.

Ashton-Kirk provided the newspapers with the main facts, but due to the deadline, they missed the subtleties.

_Ashton-Kirk comments on the inaccuracy of the morning papers._

> The bayonet, so legend has it, was first made in Bayonne, and Sagon conceived that it would be a sort of poetic justice if the traitor were to die by a weapon so closely connected with the scene of his treachery.

Sagon chose a bayonet because it originated in Bayonne, where Hume had betrayed their smuggling ring, making the murder a form of poetic justice.

_Ashton-Kirk explains Sagon's motive for using a bayonet._

## Links

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