Partners in Crime · Chapter
VI: The Gentleman Dressed in Newspaper explained
After the murder at the Ace of Spades, Inspector Marriot and Sir Arthur Merivale visit the Beresfords.
What happens
After the murder at the Ace of Spades, Inspector Marriot and Sir Arthur Merivale visit the Beresfords. Sir Arthur refuses to believe his friend Captain Hale is guilty, but evidence mounts against him. Later, Inspector Marriot reveals the case seems clear, yet Tuppence suspects something is off. She notices a discrepancy in the newspaper fragment and deduces it wasn't from the same paper. They set a trap for Sir Arthur, who confesses and escapes through the window, falling to his death. The case concludes with Sir Arthur as the murderer, motivated by his wife's fortune.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Detection
The chapter focuses on the investigation of a murder, with the Beresfords using their wits to uncover the truth.
Deception and Trust
Sir Arthur deceives everyone, while Inspector Marriot and the Beresfords must see through the false evidence.
Humor and Irony
The irony of Sir Arthur's downfall and the playful banter between Tommy and Tuppence provide a light touch.
Characters to notice
- Tommy Beresford
Assists in the investigation, shows hospitality to Inspector Marriot, and supports Tuppence's deductions.
- Tuppence Beresford
Key in solving the case by noticing the newspaper fragment discrepancy and setting the trap for Sir Arthur.
- Detective Inspector Marriot
Investigates the murder, initially suspects Captain Hale, but later reveals his true suspicions about Sir Arthur.
- Sir Arthur Merivale
The murderer, who tries to frame Captain Hale but is caught and takes his own life.
- Captain Hale
Falsely accused of the murder, but is actually innocent.
Key passages
“It's a clear case,” said the latter, after a minute or two. “Dagger was the lady's own—the idea was to have made it look like suicide, evidently, but thanks to you two being on the spot, that didn't come off.”
Inspector Marriot states that the case is straightforward, noting the dagger belonged to the victim and the plan was to make it appear as suicide, but the Beresfords' presence prevented that.
Marriot's initial assessment is later revealed to be a ruse to provoke the Beresfords into finding the real truth.
“Tommy,” said Tuppence, when her husband returned from showing the Scotland Yard man out. “Why do you think Inspector Marriot keeps repeating that it's a perfectly clear case?””
Tuppence questions why Marriot insists the case is clear, suspecting he is trying to irritate them into revealing more details.
Tuppence's intuition leads to the breakthrough in the case.
“It was torn from the dress he wore—fits exactly. Oh! yes, it's a perfectly clear case.”
Marriot explains that the newspaper fragment found in the victim's hand matches a tear in Captain Hale's costume, making the case seem open-and-shut.
This evidence is later proven to be planted by the real murderer.