# XIX explained — Strong Poison

> Chapter companion for Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers.

## What happens

Miss Climpson successfully opens and reads Mrs. Wrayburn's will, discovering that Philip Boyes is the primary beneficiary, and sends it to Mr. Urquhart. She writes to Lord Peter detailing her methods and findings. Wimsey, reading her letter, declares he knows the criminal and motive but admits he does not yet know how the crime was done.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance

Miss Climpson uses deception, pretending to be a spiritualist, to gain access to the will, and later employs subterfuge to steam it open.

### Class and Snobbery

The will's contents reveal class dynamics, with Philip Boyes receiving the bulk of the estate as a token of forgiveness for his family's ill-treatment.

## Character check-ins

### Miss Climpson

Steams open the will envelope, reads its contents, and reseals it; writes a detailed letter to Lord Peter about her discovery.

### Miss Booth

Assists Miss Climpson in sending the will to Mr. Urquhart; shows some independent judgment about the plan.

### Lord Peter Wimsey

Reads Miss Climpson's letter, declares he knows the criminal and motive, but admits he does not yet know how the crime was done.

### Bunter

Receives instructions from Lord Peter to fetch champagne, summon Chief Inspector Parker, and contact Mr. Crofts.

### Mr. Norman Urquhart

The will is being sent to him; he is the sole executor and receives the residue of the estate.

### Philip Boyes

Named as the primary beneficiary of the will, inheriting the real estate and fifty thousand pounds.

### Chief Inspector Parker

Lord Peter asks Bunter to summon him for a word.

### Mr. Crofts

Lord Peter instructs Bunter to contact him to delay the case.

## Key lines

> I believe the Church takes into account the necessity of deception in certain professions, such as that of a police detective or a spy in time of warfare, and I trust that my subterfuges may be allowed to come under that category.

Miss Climpson justifies her deceptive actions by comparing them to the morally acceptable deceptions of police detectives or wartime spies.

_Reflects her moral conflict and rationalization of her methods._

> There is something about wills which brings out the worst side of human nature. People who under ordinary circumstances are perfectly upright and amiable, go as curly as corkscrews and foam at the mouth, whenever they hear the words 'I devise and bequeath.'

Wimsey observes that wills often corrupt even the most honest people, making them behave dishonestly.

_Highlights the theme of deception and the corrupting influence of inheritance._

> All the same, Bunter, I really don't know how it was done.

Despite identifying the criminal and motive, Wimsey admits he is still uncertain about the method of the crime.

_Shows Wimsey's intellectual humility and the ongoing mystery._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/strong_poison_se/chapters/xix
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/strong_poison_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/strong_poison_se/chapters