# XVI: The Second String explained — Clouds of Witness

> Chapter companion for Clouds of Witness by Dorothy L. Sayers.

## What happens

Lord Peter Wimsey, in a desperate race against time, flies across the Atlantic to find a crucial witness. Meanwhile, Mrs. Grimethorpe arrives at Lord Peter's home to confess that the Duke of Denver was with her on the night of the murder, providing an alibi but revealing a secret affair that could supply a motive for the prosecution. The legal team debates the risks of using her testimony.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Secrets

Mrs. Grimethorpe's secret affair with the Duke of Denver is revealed, providing a potential motive for murder and complicating the defense.

### Love and Sacrifice

Mrs. Grimethorpe risks her own safety to provide an alibi for the Duke, driven by her feelings and sense of justice.

### Justice and the Legal System

The legal team debates the strategic risks of presenting Mrs. Grimethorpe's testimony, highlighting the complexities of building a defense.

## Character check-ins

### Lord Peter Wimsey

Flies across the Atlantic in a storm to find a witness; recalls his interview with Simone Vonderaa and her maid Adèle.

### Lady Mary Wimsey

Brings Mrs. Grimethorpe to Mr. Murbles and insists on helping; rings up Charles Parker to tell him the news.

### Mrs. Grimethorpe

Confesses that the Duke was with her on the night of the murder, providing an alibi but revealing a secret affair.

### Mr. Murbles

Aroused at midnight by Lady Mary; discusses the legal risks of Mrs. Grimethorpe's testimony with Sir Impey Biggs.

### Sir Impey Biggs

Debates the risks of using Mrs. Grimethorpe's evidence; questions her about the timing of the Duke's visit.

### Bunter

Efficiently assists the party at Lord Peter's home; rang up Lady Mary about Mrs. Grimethorpe.

## Key lines

> You mustn’t let the other counsel upset you on those points, Mrs. Grimethorpe, because they will try to prove that he had time to kill Cathcart either before he started or after he returned, and by admitting that the Duke had something in his life that he wanted kept secret we shall be supplying the very thing the prosecution lack⁠— a motive for murdering anyone who might have found him out .

Sir Impey warns Mrs. Grimethorpe that the prosecution will argue the Duke had time to commit the murder, and that revealing his secret could give them a motive.

_Highlights the legal strategy and the danger of the alibi backfiring._

> I couldn’t keep silence. It’s better my man should kill me, for I’m unhappy enough, and maybe I couldn’t be any worse off in the Lord’s hand⁠— rather than they should hang him for a thing he never done.

Mrs. Grimethorpe explains she would rather face her husband's wrath than let an innocent man be executed.

_Shows her moral conviction and personal sacrifice._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/chapters/xvi-the-second-string
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clouds_of_witness_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/chapters