Murder in the Maze · Chapter
The Forged Cheque explained
Sir Clinton Driffield interviews Ernest Shandon's secretary, Mr.
What happens
Sir Clinton Driffield interviews Ernest Shandon's secretary, Mr. Stenness, about a forged cheque. He presents a hypothetical case involving John Doe and Richard Roe to illustrate how a secretary could forge his employer's signature, destroy the original cheque, and remove the counterfoil to cover the crime. Sir Clinton suggests that the forger might have murdered his employer to prevent discovery. The chapter ends with Dr. Ardsley announcing that Sylvia Hawkhurst has died.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance
Sir Clinton's hypothetical case explores how a secretary could forge a signature and destroy evidence, highlighting the theme of deception.
Justice and Morality
Sir Clinton's interrogation and the suggestion of murder for financial gain raise questions about justice and moral culpability.
The Nature of Evidence
The missing counterfoil and the traced signature are central pieces of evidence, illustrating how physical traces can be manipulated.
Characters to notice
- Sir Clinton Driffield
Interviews Stenness about the forged cheque and presents a hypothetical case of forgery and murder.
- Mr. Stenness
Secretary to Roger Shandon; remains composed during Sir Clinton's interrogation about the missing counterfoil and forged cheque.
- Ernest Shandon
Receives a confidential phone call from Sir Clinton asking him to keep Stenness under observation.
- Wendover
Accompanies Sir Clinton to the telephone and later to Whistlefield; is asked to wait while Sir Clinton interviews Stenness.
- Dr. Ardsley
Appears at the door to announce Sylvia Hawkhurst's death.
- Sylvia Hawkhurst
Reported dead by Dr. Ardsley at the end of the chapter.
Key passages
“I think I can put my cards on the table in your case, Stenness. Nothing I'm going to tell you will be news to you; and there seems no reason why I shouldn't say it.”
Sir Clinton tells Stenness he will be straightforward because Stenness already knows the facts.
Sir Clinton's direct approach to the interrogation.
“It's all up, Sir Clinton. They can pull down the blinds. Miss Hawkhurst?”
Dr. Ardsley announces that Sylvia Hawkhurst has died.
The chapter ends with the news of Sylvia's death.