Lord Peter Views the Body · Chapter
The Piscatorial Farce of the Stolen Stomach explained
Lord Peter Wimsey visits his friend Thomas Macpherson in Scotland, where Macpherson reveals a peculiar legacy from his Great-Uncle Joseph: a jar containing the old man's stomach, which holds diamonds.
What happens
Lord Peter Wimsey visits his friend Thomas Macpherson in Scotland, where Macpherson reveals a peculiar legacy from his Great-Uncle Joseph: a jar containing the old man's stomach, which holds diamonds. The will stipulates that the stomach must be preserved and passed down. Wimsey investigates the will at Somerset House, encounters the angry cousin Robert Ferguson, and later consults diamond merchant Mr. Abrahams about the stones' value.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Identity
Great-Uncle Joseph's hidden diamonds and the will's peculiar clause create a mystery of concealed wealth and identity.
Wealth and Greed
The diamonds' immense value and Cousin Robert's anger over the inheritance highlight themes of greed and financial desire.
Characters to notice
- Lord Peter Wimsey
Visits Macpherson in Scotland, investigates the will at Somerset House, and consults Mr. Abrahams about the diamonds.
- Thomas Macpherson
Hosts Wimsey and reveals Great-Uncle Joseph's legacy of a stomach containing diamonds.
- Great-Uncle Joseph
Eccentric recluse who left his stomach as a legacy, containing diamonds worth seven thousand pounds each.
- Cousin Robert
Residuary legatee who is angry about the will and confronts Wimsey at Somerset House.
- Mr. Abrahams
Diamond merchant consulted by Wimsey about the value of the stones.
Key passages
“What in the world,” said Lord Peter Wimsey, “is that?” Thomas Macpherson disengaged the tall jar from its final swathings of paper and straw and set it tenderly upright beside the coffeepot. “That,” he said, “is Great-Uncle Joseph’s legacy.””
Lord Peter asks about a jar Macpherson unwraps, which Macpherson explains is a legacy from his Great-Uncle Joseph.
Introduces the central object of the chapter: the jar containing the stomach.
“He lived to be ninety-five, and never had a day’s illness.” Wimsey looked at the jar with increased respect. “What did he die of?” “Chucked himself out of a sixth-story window.”
Macpherson notes Great-Uncle Joseph's perfect health until he committed suicide by jumping from a window after a stroke.
Reveals the eccentric and dramatic end of Great-Uncle Joseph.
“About seven thousand pounds apiece, taken separately. More than that, taken together.” “The old man was mad,” said Robert angrily. “I shall dispute the will.””
Wimsey estimates the diamonds' value at seven thousand pounds each, prompting Robert to threaten legal action against the will.
Highlights the immense value of the hidden diamonds and Robert's greed.