# XXIII: 4:29 a.m.—A Turn of the Screw explained — Murder by the Clock

> Chapter companion for Murder by the Clock by Rufus King.

## What happens

Lieutenant Valcour interrogates Mrs. Endicott, who is suspected of shooting her husband and wounding Hollander. She denies being on the balcony, claiming her slipper fell off while straddling the window sill. Valcour reveals she is under arrest as a material witness and searches her room for a revolver, finding none. Mrs. Endicott's demeanor shifts from guarded to exultant, puzzling Valcour.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance vs. Reality

Mrs. Endicott's innocent demeanor contrasts with the evidence against her.

### Deception of the Senses

Valcour challenges Mrs. Endicott's account of the slipper and the balcony.

### Guilt and Innocence

Mrs. Endicott's guilt is implied by her arrest, yet she maintains her innocence.

## Character check-ins

### Lieutenant Valcour

Interrogates Mrs. Endicott, searches her room, and arrests her as a material witness.

### Mrs. Endicott

Denies shooting, claims she was straddling the window sill, and is arrested as a material witness.

### Thomas Hollander

Mentioned as wounded and taken to the hospital.

### Herbert Endicott

Mentioned as the murdered husband.

## Key lines

> You shouldn’t have dropped your slipper outside of the window.

Valcour points out that the slipper found outside the window is incriminating.

_Valcour uses the slipper as evidence against Mrs. Endicott._

> I am holding you, Mrs. Endicott, as a material witness, for the present.

Valcour informs Mrs. Endicott that she is being detained, not formally charged with murder.

_Valcour clarifies the legal status of Mrs. Endicott's arrest._

## Links

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