Terror Keep · Chapter
The Nightmare in the Corridor explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Reeder encounters Olga Crewe in the corridor after a struggle, suspecting she witnessed the attack. He retrieves his truncheon and returns to his room, but later hears voices downstairs. Margaret Belman, frightened, reports hearing someone in the vestibule. Mr. Daver appears, claiming he heard a burglar, but Reeder notices he is still wearing a collar and tie, suggesting he was not truly in bed. Reeder reassures Margaret and returns to his room.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Betrayal
Olga Crewe lies about hearing a noise, and Mr. Daver's appearance in a collar and tie suggests he is not being truthful about being asleep.
Terror and Fear
Margaret is 'horribly scared' and Olga Crewe's face is white with fear; the atmosphere is charged with dread.
Characters to notice
- J. G. Reeder
Investigates the disturbance in the corridor, retrieves his truncheon, and later reassures Margaret after hearing voices downstairs.
- Olga Crewe
Found by Reeder in the corridor after a struggle; she claims she heard a noise but Reeder suspects she was lying.
- Margaret Belman
Frightened by voices in the vestibule, she seeks Reeder's reassurance and expresses her fear.
- Mr. Daver
Appears in a dressing gown, claiming to have heard a burglar, but Reeder notices he is still wearing a collar and tie.
Key passages
“I heard a noise and I came out.”
Olga Crewe claims she was awakened by a sound and left her room to investigate.
Reeder immediately doubts her statement, suspecting she was already watching.
“I think it must have been a nightmare. It will last all my life? I think it will!”
Olga Crewe suggests the event was a bad dream, but acknowledges it will haunt her forever.
Reeder interprets this as a confession of lifelong guilt or trauma.
“You are my idea of a guardian angel.”
Margaret tells Reeder he seems like a protective, heavenly figure to her.
Reeder deflects the compliment with self-deprecating humor about his side whiskers.