Simon · Chapter
XXXIV: A Confidential Conversation explained
Ned Cromarty reveals to Carrington that he is the anonymous employer funding the investigation.
What happens
Ned Cromarty reveals to Carrington that he is the anonymous employer funding the investigation. He also discloses that Simon Rattar advised Cicely Farmond to flee to London. Carrington shares his own findings, including Rattar's lies about being the employer and his suspicious advice to both Cicely and Sir Malcolm. They discuss Rattar's possible motives and the deepening mystery.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Lies
Rattar's false claim to be the employer and his misleading advice to Cicely and Malcolm highlight the theme of deception.
Greed and Motive
Carrington questions Rattar's motives, noting he gains nothing from the crime, yet his actions suggest hidden interests.
Suspicion and Rumor
Ned and Carrington openly suspect Rattar of hiding something and trying to mislead the investigation.
Characters to notice
- Ned Cromarty
Reveals himself as the anonymous employer and reports Rattar's advice to Cicely.
- F. T. Carrington
Shares his suspicions about Rattar and the information he gathered from various interviews.
- Simon Rattar
Lied to Carrington about being the employer and advised both Cicely and Sir Malcolm to leave.
- Cicely Farmond
Ran away on Rattar's advice; was rescued and brought back by Ned.
- Malcolm Cromarty
Interviewed by Carrington; Rattar advised him to go abroad.
- James Bisset
Informed Carrington about Cicely's flight.
Key passages
“I am ready to suspect Simon Rattar of any crime in the calendar—leaving out petty larceny and probably bigamy.”
Carrington says he would believe Rattar capable of almost any serious crime.
Expresses Carrington's deep suspicion of Rattar.
“He has something to hide and he’s trying to put people off the scent, I’ll lay my bottom dollar!”
Ned is certain Rattar is concealing something and deliberately misleading others.
Ned's conviction about Rattar's guilt.
“Fortune played my cards for me. Quite innocently and unintentionally.”
Carrington explains that luck helped him uncover Rattar's lie without planning it.
Carrington's reflection on how he caught Rattar in a falsehood.