# III explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by M. R. James.

## What happens

Mr. Somerton recounts his discovery of a hidden cipher on the painted glass in Lord D's private chapel, which led him to decipher Abbot Thomas's riddle about a treasure concealed in a well. He describes the terrifying events that followed his retrieval of the treasure, including a haunting presence and a foul smell of mold that plagued him until the stone slab was replaced.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Curse of Knowledge

Somerton's pursuit of the hidden treasure leads to a terrifying haunting, illustrating the danger of uncovering forbidden secrets.

### Guardianship of Secrets

The inscription 'Depositum custodi' (Guard the deposit) on the wellhead emphasizes the theme of protecting hidden knowledge.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Somerton

Protagonist who deciphers the cipher and retrieves the treasure, then experiences haunting.

### Mr. Gregory

Friend of Somerton who helps replace the stone slab and confirms the haunting.

### Abbot Thomas

Historical figure whose cipher and treasure are central to the story.

### Mr. Brown

Servant who assists Somerton and later helps Gregory replace the stone.

## Key lines

> Decem millia auri reposita sunt in puteo in atrio

Ten thousand pieces of gold are stored in a well in the courtyard.

_The deciphered message revealing the location of the treasure._

> Depositum custodi

Guard the deposit.

_Inscription on the wellhead, reinforcing the theme of guardianship._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_35_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters