Murder in the Maze · Chapter
III: The Immediate Results explained
Vera Forrest returns to the house to raise the alarm after discovering Neville Shandon's body in the Maze.
What happens
Vera Forrest returns to the house to raise the alarm after discovering Neville Shandon's body in the Maze. She finds the house nearly empty and enlists the help of the secretary, Mr. Stenness, who efficiently organizes the response, sending for the police and arming gardeners. Meanwhile, Howard Torrance and Stenness return to the Maze to guard the body, where they examine evidence including a scrap of paper in Neville's hand and Skene's discovery of darts and a tin box lid near Roger Shandon's body. The chapter highlights the immediate aftermath and the beginning of the investigation.
Themes in this chapter
Murder and Mystery
The chapter focuses on the immediate aftermath of two murders, with characters grappling with the shocking events and beginning to piece together clues.
The Nature of Evidence
Key evidence is introduced: the scrap of paper in Neville's hand, the darts and tin box lid near Roger's body, and the sound of an airgun, all of which will be crucial to the investigation.
Fear and Cowardice
The maids' hysterical reactions and Vera's struggle to maintain composure highlight the fear and panic that grip the household in the wake of the murders.
Characters to notice
- Vera Forrest
Raises the alarm, returns to the house, and directs the initial response after discovering Neville Shandon's body.
- Mr. Stenness
The secretary who calmly takes charge, telephones the police, and leads the armed party into the Maze.
- Howard Torrance
Emerges from the Maze, joins Stenness to guard the body, and examines the scene for clues.
- Neville Shandon
Found dead in the Maze with a scrap of paper clutched in his hand, possibly related to the Hackleton case.
- Roger Shandon
His body lies in Helen's Bower; Skene is guarding it and discovers darts and a tin box lid nearby.
- Skene
The gardener who knows the Maze, guards Roger Shandon's body, and finds darts and a box lid in the hedge.
Key passages
“I’ve sent one of the maids to ring the bell in the stable-yard. That’ll bring up a couple of gardeners fairly soon. They’ll think it’s a fire, you know.”
Stenness explains that he has arranged for the stable bell to be rung, which will quickly summon the gardeners under the pretext of a fire.
Stenness's practical and calm approach to gathering help.
“There’s a piece of paper there. It looks as if it had been wrenched out of his hand and a scrap left in his grip. Let’s see what one can make of it without touching it.”
Stenness points out a torn piece of paper clutched in Neville's hand, suggesting it was forcibly taken from him.
Introduction of a key piece of evidence.
“But d’you think it’s likely that two murderers would choose an identical moment for their attacks. Two simultaneous crimes is a bit of a record, it seems to me.”
Howard questions the improbability of two separate murders occurring at the same time and place.
Highlights the unusual and suspicious nature of the double murder.