No Name · Chapter
III: From Mr. John Loscombe (Solicitor) to George Bartram, Esq. explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. John Loscombe writes to George Bartram, acknowledging receipt of a letter intended for Noel Vanstone. Loscombe explains that his relationship with his client has changed: Noel Vanstone informed him of a change of residence but did not disclose the new address, and has not contacted him since. Unable to forward the letter, Loscombe returns it to Bartram, promising to forward it if he is again in a position to do so.
Themes in this chapter
Secrecy and Revelation
Noel Vanstone's deliberate concealment of his new residence from his solicitor underscores the theme of secrecy, as he actively works to keep his location hidden.
Inheritance and Law
The legal correspondence between solicitors highlights the formal processes and complications surrounding inheritance and the management of a client's affairs.
Characters to notice
- John Loscombe
The solicitor writing to George Bartram, now unable to forward correspondence to his client Noel Vanstone due to the client's concealed whereabouts.
- George Bartram
The recipient of Loscombe's letter, who had enclosed a letter for Noel Vanstone.
- Noel Vanstone
The client who has changed residence without disclosing his new address, severing contact with his solicitor.
Key passages
“Three days ago I received a letter from him, which stated his intention of changing his place of residence on the next day then ensuing, but which left me entirely in ignorance on the subject of the locality to which it was his intention to remove.”
Three days ago, he wrote to say he would move the following day, but he did not tell me where he was going.
Loscombe explains his lack of knowledge about Noel Vanstone's new address.
“I have not heard from him since; and, as he had previously drawn on me for a larger sum of money than usual, there would be no present necessity for his writing to me again—assuming that it is his wish to keep his place of residence concealed from everyone, myself included.”
I haven't heard from him since, and because he already took more money than usual, he has no reason to contact me—if he wants to hide his location from everyone, including me.
Loscombe speculates on Noel Vanstone's motives for silence.