Murder in the Maze · Chapter
XVII: The Siege in the Maze explained
Sir Clinton Driffield leads a siege in the Maze to capture the murderer, Ernest Shandon.
What happens
Sir Clinton Driffield leads a siege in the Maze to capture the murderer, Ernest Shandon. After a night of planning, he gathers Wendover, Stenness, and Ardsley, arms them, and surrounds the Maze. Ernest, trapped and choking on sulphur fumes, attempts to escape but is driven back by gunfire. He eventually shoots himself in Helen's Bower. Sir Clinton recovers a letter addressed to Stenness from Ernest's body, and the case concludes with Ernest's suicide.
Themes in this chapter
Murder and Mystery
The chapter resolves the mystery of the murders as Ernest Shandon is cornered and dies by suicide, revealing him as the killer.
Justice and Morality
Sir Clinton orchestrates a siege that leads to Ernest's suicide, avoiding a trial and emphasizing a form of rough justice.
Fear and Cowardice
Ernest's cowardice is revealed as a sham; his callousness and desperation are highlighted as he is hunted in the Maze.
Characters to notice
- Sir Clinton Driffield
Leads the siege, arms the party, and orchestrates the capture of Ernest Shandon. He recovers a letter from the body.
- Ernest Shandon
The murderer, trapped in the Maze, dies by suicide after being overwhelmed by sulphur fumes and gunfire.
- Wendover
Participates in the siege, reflects on Ernest's hidden personality, and realizes the murderer's identity.
- Arthur Hawkhurst
Guards the Maze, fires warning shots, and reports seeing Ernest's body in Helen's Bower.
- Mr. Stenness
Accompanies the party, leads them to the gun-room, and is the recipient of a letter found on Ernest's body.
- Dr. Ardsley
Drives the car and is armed by Sir Clinton to assist in the siege.
Key passages
“to see instead a fresh personality hidden behind the mask: something going coldly to its deadly work, unrestrained by any normal feelings of humanity or even kinship, a modern Minotaur in the labyrinth of the Maze.”
Wendover realizes that Ernest Shandon is not the dull, cowardly man he seemed, but a cold, ruthless killer, like a modern Minotaur in the Maze.
Wendover's epiphany about Ernest's true nature.
“If I'm not much mistaken, that last shot was for himself. The game was up; and he must have been half-dead with the fumes by now.”
Sir Clinton believes Ernest has shot himself because he was trapped and nearly suffocated by the sulphur fumes.
Sir Clinton's deduction that Ernest committed suicide.
“Not much family affection left in the Whistlefield circle, Squire. But can you wonder, after all. Friend Ernest wasn't the sort of man who'd attract much liking at the best; and that boy was very keen on his sister, undoubtedly.”
Sir Clinton comments on the lack of family loyalty among the Whistlefield group, noting that Ernest was unlikable and Arthur was devoted to his sister Sylvia.
Sir Clinton's observation on the family dynamics.