# XL: In the Prison explained — Hand and Ring

> Chapter companion for Hand and Ring by Anna Katharine Green.

## What happens

Mr. Mansell, awaiting trial for the murder of Mrs. Clemmens, is visited in his cell by Detective Gryce. Gryce reveals that Miss Dare has confessed to perjury, having been deceived by Hickory and Byrd into believing Mansell guilty. He also discloses that Orcutt, before dying, may have revealed crucial information about the murder. Gryce argues that Mansell's reticence stems from his belief that Miss Dare was the killer, and that the timeline of the murder has been revised, suggesting Mansell's innocence. Mansell remains guarded but is visibly shaken by the revelations.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Truth

The chapter reveals the deception played on Miss Dare by the detectives, and the truth about her perjury and Mansell's innocence.

### Guilt and Innocence

Mansell's guilt is questioned as Gryce argues his reticence stems from a belief in Miss Dare's guilt, and the timeline of the murder is revised.

### Secrets and the Past

Mansell's secret motive for his silence is uncovered, and Orcutt's deathbed words may reveal past secrets.

## Character check-ins

### Craik Mansell

Prisoner, deeply troubled, learns of Orcutt's death and Miss Dare's perjury, struggles with his own suspicions.

### Mr. Gryce

Detective who visits Mansell in prison, reveals new evidence and attempts to persuade him to speak.

### Imogene Dare

Revealed to have committed perjury, went to Orcutt's house to confess, and is now cleared of suspicion.

### Mr. Orcutt

Deceased counsel, struck by a falling limb, may have spoken words before death that change the case.

### Mr. Hickory

Mentioned as one of the detectives who deceived Miss Dare into believing Mansell guilty.

### Mr. Byrd

Mentioned as one of the detectives who deceived Miss Dare into believing Mansell guilty.

## Key lines

> Mr. Mansell sat in his cell, the prey of gloomy and perturbed thought.

Mansell was deeply troubled and anxious in his cell.

_Opening description of Mansell's state of mind._

> I know you are not the man who killed Mrs. Clemmens.

Gryce asserts his belief in Mansell's innocence.

_Gryce's direct statement to Mansell._

> She went there to tell him that her whole evidence against you had been given under the belief that you were guilty of the crime with which you had been charged.

Miss Dare went to Orcutt to confess that her testimony was based on a false belief in Mansell's guilt.

_Gryce explains Miss Dare's visit to Orcutt._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xl-in-the-prison
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hand_and_ring_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters