# XVII: The Siege in the Maze explained — Murder in the Maze

> Chapter companion for Murder in the Maze by J. J. Connington.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/chapters/xvii-the-siege-in-the-maze
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/chapters