# XXVII: 5:46 a.m.—Mrs. Endicott Cannot Be Found explained — Murder by the Clock

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxvii-5-46-a-m-mrs-endicott-cannot-be-found
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters