Murder by the Clock · Chapter
XVIII: 3:00 a.m.—Thin Haze of Dread explained
At 3 a.m., Lieutenant Valcour and Dr.
What happens
At 3 a.m., Lieutenant Valcour and Dr. Worth are in the Endicott bedroom, staring at the open window and the dark night beyond. Valcour feels an inexplicable dread. He asks Dr. Worth about moving Hollander, who is under arrest, and requests to speak with him alone. After restoratives, Valcour interrogates Hollander, accusing him of attacking Endicott, stealing Mrs. Endicott's purse and keys, and staging the scene. Hollander denies everything, but Valcour reconstructs the crime, including the missing hat. Hollander reveals his love for Mrs. Endicott and his belief that her pride was hurt by her husband's affairs. The interrogation is interrupted by the ambulance arriving, and Hollander is taken away unconscious.
Themes in this chapter
Obsession and Control
Hollander's obsessive love for Mrs. Endicott and his controlling actions, including stealing her keys and planning to kill her husband.
Deception of the Senses
The thin haze of dread and the dark night create an atmosphere of uncertainty and obscured perception, reflecting the deceptive nature of appearances.
Guilt and Innocence
Hollander's denial of guilt and Valcour's attempts to establish his culpability, while also considering Mrs. Endicott's potential involvement.
Characters to notice
- Lieutenant Valcour
Interrogates Hollander, reconstructs the crime, and feels an inexplicable dread.
- Dr. Worth
Provides medical care and restoratives to Hollander, and discusses his condition.
- Thomas Hollander
Under arrest, questioned by Valcour, denies accusations, and reveals his love for Mrs. Endicott.
- Herbert Endicott
Dead, covered with a sheet on the bed, the victim of the crime.
- Cassidy
Waits outside in the hall as instructed by Valcour.
- Officer Hansen
Sent downstairs to telephone for an ambulance.
Key passages
“It was a passageway for air, but infinitely more so was it a passageway leading to obscure recesses of the night: recesses that seemed to offer a maleficent sanctuary to hell-born secrets of distorted souls.”
The open window was not just for air but symbolized a path to dark, evil secrets hidden in the night.
Describes the ominous atmosphere and the unknown.
“He felt a definite sense of uncertainty, and—as one does when confronted by a suggestion of the unknown—an impalpable dread.”
Valcour felt a vague, unexplainable fear due to the mysterious circumstances.
Highlights Valcour's unease.
“You were a little hazy as to just what it was you intended to do, but you did know that you were going to kill Endicott, and that you were going to do it before his wife either committed suicide or killed him herself.”
You weren't sure of your plan, but you were determined to kill Endicott before his wife could act.
Valcour's accusation to Hollander.
“Pride, Lieutenant.”
Hollander explains that Mrs. Endicott's actions were driven by pride.
Hollander's justification for Mrs. Endicott's behavior.
“I worship her.”
Hollander expresses his deep devotion to Mrs. Endicott.
Reveals Hollander's intense feelings.
