# XXVIII: 6:00 a.m.—Mist Drifting Through Mist explained — Murder by the Clock

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

## What happens

Lieutenant Valcour discovers Mrs. Endicott attempting suicide in the attic, saves her, and engages in a tense conversation where she reveals her manipulations, including forging a letter to implicate Marge Myles, and her complex feelings about love and loyalty.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance vs. Reality

Mrs. Endicott presents a composed facade while concealing her manipulative actions and suicidal intent.

### Marriage and Deception

Mrs. Endicott's marriage is built on lies, including her forgery to turn Herbert against Marge.

### Obsession and Control

Mrs. Endicott's need to control her husband's affections leads to extreme measures, including forgery.

## Character check-ins

### Lieutenant Valcour

Intervenes to prevent Mrs. Endicott's suicide and interrogates her about her motives and actions.

### Mrs. Endicott

Attempts suicide but is saved; reveals her forgery scheme and her conflicted emotions about love and marriage.

### Thomas Hollander

Mentioned as recovering from his injuries; Mrs. Endicott admits to loving him as much as her husband.

### Herbert Endicott

Deceased; Mrs. Endicott reflects on her love for him and the events leading to his death.

### Marge Myles

Subject of Mrs. Endicott's forgery; her address was in Mrs. Endicott's directory.

### Mrs. Siddons

Housekeeper who warned Mrs. Endicott about divine punishment on Herbert.

## Key lines

> Why did you have the address of Marge Myles in your directory, Mrs. Endicott?

Valcour asks why Mrs. Endicott had Marge Myles's address.

_Valcour probes Mrs. Endicott's connection to Marge._

> I employed forgery.

Mrs. Endicott admits to forging a letter to implicate Marge.

_Reveals her manipulative scheme._

> It was beginning to. Things like that work slowly; they keep breeding in the mind until they become effective.

Mrs. Endicott explains how her forgery was slowly influencing Herbert's feelings.

_Shows her calculated patience._

> I love Tom Hollander, too, just as much as I loved Herbert.

Mrs. Endicott confesses to loving both Tom and Herbert equally.

_Highlights her complex emotional state._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxviii-6-00-a-m-mist-drifting-through-mist
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters