Murder in the Maze · Chapter
XVI: The Last Attack in the Maze explained
In the aftermath of Sylvia Hawkhurst's death, tensions rise at Whistlefield.
What happens
In the aftermath of Sylvia Hawkhurst's death, tensions rise at Whistlefield. Ernest Shandon displays his characteristic cowardice, refusing to retrieve his lost cigar-case from the Maze at night, while his nephew Arthur Hawkhurst volunteers to go, partly out of bravado and contempt for his uncle. Sir Clinton Driffield reveals he has recovered a sum of money for Ernest and hints that he knows the murderer's identity, but decides to delay the arrest until morning, risking the suspect's escape to avoid a scandal. The chapter ends with Sir Clinton making a coded phone call to the police station, ostensibly ordering tobacco but likely arranging for reinforcements.
Themes in this chapter
Fear and Cowardice
Ernest Shandon's refusal to go to the Maze at night, his heavy drinking, and his rationalization of his fear contrast sharply with Arthur's reckless bravado, highlighting the theme of cowardice versus courage.
Deception and Appearance
Sir Clinton's coded phone call and his deliberate vagueness about the arrest demonstrate how appearances and hidden communications are used to manage the scandal and control the situation.
Characters to notice
- Ernest Shandon
Shows extreme cowardice, refusing to go to the Maze at night to retrieve his cigar-case; drinks heavily; is confused by Sir Clinton's hints about the scandal and the arrest.
- Arthur Hawkhurst
Contemptuous of his uncle's fear, volunteers to retrieve the cigar-case from the Maze, driven by pride and a desire to prove himself.
- Sir Clinton Driffield
Reveals he knows the murderer's identity and has recovered stolen money; decides to delay arrest until morning to avoid scandal; makes a coded phone call to the police station.
- Wendover
Present during the conversation; shows malice toward Ernest but is restrained by Sir Clinton's caution.
- Dr. Ardsley
Present in the room but leaves, bored by the proceedings.
Key passages
“I’ve lost my cigar-case... It’s been missing for a day or two... I dropped it in the Maze when I was shot at.”
Ernest realizes his cigar-case was lost in the Maze during the attack on him.
This detail provides a tangible link to the earlier attack and sets up Arthur's risky errand.
“I could arrest the fellow tonight... But I think I can make surer of him if I wait till tomorrow morning... I’ve got to risk his bolting.”
Sir Clinton decides to delay the arrest until morning, even though it might allow the murderer to escape, in order to avoid a scandal.
Reveals Sir Clinton's strategic thinking and his concern for the family's reputation over immediate justice.
“Sergeant, will you be good enough to buy me another tin of Navy Cut—same as the last you got—first thing tomorrow morning? I’ve run out of tobacco. Send a man up with it, will you?”
Sir Clinton makes a coded phone call to the police station, ostensibly ordering tobacco but likely arranging for police support the next morning.
Illustrates the use of coded language and the informal methods of communication in early 20th-century policing.