Murder by the Clock · Chapter
XXVII: 5:46 a.m.—Mrs. Endicott Cannot Be Found explained
Lieutenant Valcour discovers Mrs.
What happens
Lieutenant Valcour discovers Mrs. Endicott's room empty and questions Cassidy about her whereabouts. He also investigates the first shot fired at Hollander, deducing that the murderer fired first. Valcour finds a letter from Marge Myles hidden in a drawer, and after searching the house, Mrs. Endicott remains missing. Valcour suspects she may have gone to the attic, leading to a sudden rush.
Themes in this chapter
Appearance vs. Reality
Mrs. Endicott's disappearance challenges the assumption that she is safely in her room, and the letter from Marge reveals hidden connections.
Obsession and Control
Valcour's relentless pursuit of the truth and the hidden letter suggest obsessive attention to details.
Characters to notice
- Lieutenant Valcour
Investigates Mrs. Endicott's disappearance, deduces the murderer fired the first shot, and finds a letter from Marge Myles.
- Cassidy
Reports that Mrs. Endicott is nowhere to be found and discusses the shooting with Valcour.
- Officer Hansen
Searches the yards for a gun and is asked to assess the balcony climbability.
- Mrs. Endicott
Cannot be found; her room is empty and no one has seen her.
- Marge Myles
Her letter is discovered hidden in a drawer, adding to the mystery.
Key passages
“Neither of you fired the first shot, because it was fired by the murderer over there at the window.”
Valcour explains that the first shot came from the murderer, not from either officer.
Clarifies the sequence of shots.
“She must still be in.”
Valcour concludes that Mrs. Endicott must still be inside the house.
His deduction despite her absence.
“A possible solution to Mrs. Endicott’s absence had just come to him with rather horrible clearness.”
Valcour suddenly realizes where Mrs. Endicott might be, with alarming clarity.
Sets up the climax.