# I Am Tempted explained — Lost Man’s Lane

> Chapter companion for Lost Man’s Lane by Anna Katharine Green.

## What happens

Mr. Gryce reveals to Miss Butterworth a series of mysterious disappearances in the village of X, located in the Berkshire Hills. He describes four unsolved cases over five years, including a peddler, a young law clerk, an elderly book salesman, and a young man. Despite police efforts, no clues have been found. Gryce hints that a woman's insight might be needed to solve the case, and Miss Butterworth realizes that X is where her deceased friend Althea Knollys's children live, stirring her interest.

## Themes in this chapter

### Detection and Investigation

Mr. Gryce details the police's failed efforts and suggests that a new, unsuspected investigator is needed to solve the disappearances.

### Secrecy and Deception

The town of X harbors a hidden mystery; Gryce implies that the detective must blend in and avoid arousing suspicion.

### Isolation and Community

The village's remote location and close-knit nature contribute to the mystery, as disappearances occur in broad daylight without witnesses.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Gryce

Visits Miss Butterworth to share details of the mysterious disappearances in X and subtly suggests her involvement.

### Amelia Butterworth

Listens to Gryce's account, initially resists his implied invitation, but is tempted upon learning X is home to Althea Knollys's children.

### Althea Knollys

Mentioned as Miss Butterworth's deceased school chum whose children live in X, motivating her interest.

### Mr. Trohm

Identified as a leading citizen of X who helped secure New York police services; his house is marked on Gryce's map.

### Deacon Spear

Mentioned as a resident whose house is near the scene of one disappearance; Gryce describes him as well-meaning.

### Mother Jane

A harmless imbecile living in a hut near the woods; Gryce notes she is not suspected.

## Key lines

> Some ninety miles from here, in a more or less inaccessible region, there is a small but interesting village, which has been the scene of so many unaccountable disappearances that the attention of the New York police has at last been directed to it.

A remote village about ninety miles away has experienced several mysterious disappearances, prompting the New York police to investigate.

_Mr. Gryce introduces the setting of the mystery to Miss Butterworth._

> The old fox was so sure of his triumph that he did not wait to witness it. He knew—how, it is easy enough for me to understand now—that X was a place I had often threatened to visit.

Mr. Gryce was confident Miss Butterworth would be drawn into the case because he knew she had long planned to visit X.

_Miss Butterworth realizes Gryce manipulated her curiosity by revealing the town's connection to her friend's children._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/ii-i-am-tempted
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters