# That Affair Next Door — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for That Affair Next Door by Anna Katharine Green.

- [Book I: Miss Butterworth’s Window](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/book-i-miss-butterworth-s-window.md): Amelia Butterworth, a wealthy spinster, observes the Van Burnam house from her window and becomes entangled in the investigation of a mysterious death.
- [A Discovery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/i-a-discovery.md): Amelia Butterworth, a keen observer, discovers a dead woman in the Van Burnam mansion after a midnight disturbance. She interacts with a scrub-woman and a policeman, noting the woman's suspicious behavior and the orderly
- [Questions](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/ii-questions.md): Amelia Butterworth recounts her observations from the previous night to Detective Gryce, describing a man and woman arriving at the Van Burnam house. The scrub-woman's peculiar behavior raises Amelia's suspicions, though
- [III: Amelia Discovers Herself](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/iii-amelia-discovers-herself.md): Amelia Butterworth asserts herself as a key witness in the murder investigation, demonstrating her keen observational skills by identifying the victim's hat and gloves and deducing details about the crime. She challenges
- [IV: Silas van Burnam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/iv-silas-van-burnam.md): Amelia Butterworth remains at the Van Burnam house after the discovery of the body, despite being urged to leave. Silas Van Burnam arrives from the steamer, agitated by the crowd and rumors. Franklin Van Burnam tries to 
- [V: “This Is No One I Know.”](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/v-this-is-no-one-i-know.md): Amelia Butterworth hosts the Van Burnam sisters while the investigation unfolds. Howard Van Burnam is brought to identify the body but initially denies knowing her, though he later shows distress upon noticing the hands 
- [New Facts](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/vi-new-facts.md): Mr. Gryce informs the Van Burnam family that the young woman found dead was murdered before the shelves fell on her. Howard Van Burnam refuses to identify the body as his wife, insisting on a coincidence despite evidence
- [VII: Mr. Gryce Discovers Miss Amelia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/vii-mr-gryce-discovers-miss-amelia.md): Amelia Butterworth, determined to learn more about the murder investigation, approaches Mr. Gryce at the neighboring house late at night. She proposes an exchange of information: her observations from the afternoon's inv
- [VIII: The Misses van Burnam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/viii-the-misses-van-burnam.md): Amelia reads the morning papers' sensational accounts of the murder, which cast doubt on Howard Van Burnam's statements. She learns of the family's troubled history with Howard's wife. The Misses Van Burnam plead with Am
- [IX: Developments](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/ix-developments.md): Amelia Butterworth attends the inquest into the death of the unknown woman found in the Van Burnam house. The medical examiner reveals that the victim did not die from the falling shelves but was killed by a thin steel p
- [X: Important Evidence](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/x-important-evidence.md): The inquest continues with testimony from Miss Ferguson, who reveals that Howard and Louise Van Burnam had been boarding with her in Haddam and that they left separately under strained circumstances. Amelia Butterworth i
- [The Order Clerk](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xi-the-order-clerk.md): A friend of the Van Burnam family testifies that young Mrs. Van Burnam stayed with her on Monday night, appearing unnaturally cheerful and wearing a black and white plaid silk dress, a large hat, and rings. The order cle
- [XII: The Keys](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xii-the-keys.md): The inquest continues with testimony from a hackman who drove a couple to Gramercy Park on the night of the murder, and a policeman who saw a man and woman carrying parcels near the scene. Franklin Van Burnam testifies a
- [XIII: Howard van Burnam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xiii-howard-van-burnam.md): Howard Van Burnam is called to testify at the inquest. Initially composed and denying that the dead woman is his wife, he breaks down when a distinctive hat belonging to his wife is produced, forcing him to acknowledge t
- [A Serious Admission](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xiv-a-serious-admission.md): Howard Van Burnam admits he was the person who accompanied his wife into the Van Burnam house on the night of her death, but denies killing her. He claims she was alive when he left and suggests she may have committed su
- [XV: A Reluctant Witness](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xv-a-reluctant-witness.md): The inquest continues with the appearance of Randolph Stone, a friend of Howard Van Burnam and the intended husband of the rich Miss Althorpe. Stone testifies that he saw Howard Van Burnam coming down the stoop of the Va
- [Book II: The Windings of a Labyrinth](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/book-ii-the-windings-of-a-labyrinth.md): Amelia Butterworth continues her investigation into the Van Burnam murder, navigating a complex web of clues, interviews, and deceptions. She meets Ruth Oliver, a key witness, and places an advertisement to gather more i
- [XVI: Cogitations](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xvi-cogitations.md): Amelia Butterworth retreats to her home to reflect on the day's events and the inquest testimony. She reexamines her earlier notes on the death, weighing the possibilities of accident, suicide, and murder. Despite the ci
- [Butterworth Versus Gryce](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xvii-butterworth-versus-gryce.md): Amelia Butterworth and Mr. Gryce engage in a battle of wits over the Van Burnam murder case. Amelia challenges Gryce's conclusions, asserting that the man he brought to the house for identification was not the one she sa
- [The Little Pincushion](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xviii-the-little-pincushion.md): After the coroner's jury returns a verdict of murder by a hand unknown, Amelia Butterworth encounters the Van Burnam sisters, who embrace her effusively. Later, they visit her to report that Howard has been arrested. Ame
- [A Decided Step Forward](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xix-a-decided-step-forward.md): Amelia Butterworth visits Mrs. Boppert in secret to gather more information about the night of the murder. Through careful questioning, she learns that the young woman claiming to be Mrs. Van Burnam entered the house thr
- [Miss Butterworth’s Theory](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xx-miss-butterworth-s-theory.md): Amelia Butterworth develops a theory that the murdered woman is not Louise Van Burnam but rather a rival, and that Louise herself is the murderer. She reconstructs the events of the night, including the use of a hatpin a
- [A Shrewd Conjecture](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxi-a-shrewd-conjecture.md): Amelia Butterworth devises a test to confirm her theory about the murder: she places an advertisement for a woman dressed in a brown silk skirt and black and white plaid blouse, and writes a letter to Miss Ferguson reque
- [XXII: A Blank Card](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxii-a-blank-card.md): Amelia receives a blank card from Miss Van Burnam's maid, then a letter from Miss Ferguson revealing that a spy from Mr. Gryce may have stolen any photograph of Mrs. Van Burnam. Later, Mr. Alvord brings two letters: one 
- [XXIII: Ruth Oliver](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxiii-ruth-oliver.md): Amelia Butterworth visits Miss Althorpe to investigate the mysterious young woman living with her, whom she suspects may be the fugitive connected to the Van Burnam case. Through careful questioning and a secret observat
- [A House of Cards](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxiv-a-house-of-cards.md): Amelia Butterworth tends to the ailing woman she believes to be Louise Van Burnam. Miss Althorpe confides in Amelia about her upcoming marriage to Randolph Stone, revealing her past happiness and trust. A critical revela
- [XXV: “The Rings! Where Are the Rings?”](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxv-the-rings-where-are-the-rings.md): Amelia Butterworth, alone with Miss Althorpe and the sick woman, reflects on the mistaken identity of the victim. She discovers money sewn into the patient's shoe, leading her to conclude that the patient is the rival, n
- [A Tilt with Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxvi-a-tilt-with-mr-gryce.md): Amelia Butterworth, having left her patient resting at Miss Althorpe's, seeks out Mr. Gryce to ascertain whether the police have found the missing rings from the Van Burnam murder. Through a cleverly dissembled conversat
- [Found](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxvii-found.md): Amelia Butterworth discovers that Ruth Oliver has fled her sickbed, prompting a frantic search through the city. She eventually finds Ruth standing transfixed outside a Chinaman's laundry, the same shop where the mysteri
- [XXVIII: Taken Aback](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxviii-taken-aback.md): Amelia Butterworth cares for a sick patient and finds herself in a complacent state after identifying Miss Oliver as the woman who accompanied Mr. Van Burnam. However, she receives a shocking letter from Mr. Gryce reveal
- [Book III: The Girl in Gray](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/book-iii-the-girl-in-gray.md): Amelia Butterworth continues her investigation into the Van Burnam murder, focusing on a mysterious woman in gray who may hold the key to the case. Through interviews and observations, she uncovers new leads and deepens 
- [XXIX: Amelia Becomes Peremptory](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxix-amelia-becomes-peremptory.md): Amelia Butterworth confronts Mr. Gryce and Inspector Z about their discovery of the rings in Franklin Van Burnam's office. She demands to know the evidence against Franklin before sharing her own findings, asserting her 
- [The Matter as Stated by Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxx-the-matter-as-stated-by-mr-gryce.md): Mr. Gryce reveals to Amelia Butterworth that he suspected Franklin Van Burnam all along, not Howard. He explains how he used Amelia's observations and his own detective work to build a case against Franklin, including a 
- [Some Fine Work](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxi-some-fine-work.md): Mr. Gryce presents his case against Franklin Van Burnam, detailing the evidence of his involvement in the murder, including the discovery of the rings and a letter in his desk, while Miss Butterworth withholds her own kn
- [XXXII: Iconoclasm](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxii-iconoclasm.md): Amelia Butterworth reveals to Mr. Gryce and the Inspector that the murder was committed by a woman, not Franklin Van Burnam, and presents her evidence: the woman entered the house before the midnight couple, the hats and
- [Known, Known, All Known.](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxiii-known-known-all-known.md): Mr. Gryce and Amelia Butterworth visit Ruth Oliver, who is recovering from illness. Gryce gently interrogates her about the rings and her involvement in the Van Burnam murder, revealing that the police know she was the w
- [Exactly Half-Past Three](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxiv-exactly-half-past-three.md): Mr. Gryce and Miss Butterworth discuss the case, concluding that Ruth Oliver was present at Mrs. Van Burnam's death and made an exchange of clothing, but the question remains whether Franklin or Howard Van Burnam is resp
- [A Ruse](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxv-a-ruse.md): Amelia Butterworth assists Mr. Gryce in a scheme to test Ruth Oliver's reaction to seeing Howard and Franklin Van Burnam. Ruth fails to react to the first carriage containing Franklin but reacts with shock and fury upon 
- [Book IV: The End of a Great Mystery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/book-iv-the-end-of-a-great-mystery.md): The final resolution of the mystery surrounding the Van Burnam case, revealing the truth behind the murder and the fates of the key characters.
- [The Result](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxvi-the-result.md): Mr. Gryce's scheme to confront Howard Van Burnam with Ruth Oliver fails to produce the expected confession. Despite Ruth's intense emotion, Howard remains composed and denies knowing her, while Ruth herself remains silen
- [Two Weeks!](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxvii-two-weeks.md): Ruth Oliver, brought before the Superintendent and Mr. Gryce, refuses to denounce anyone immediately. Instead, she demands two weeks of complete freedom, promising that at the end of that time she will identify the murde
- [A White Satin Gown](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxviii-a-white-satin-gown.md): Amelia Butterworth is summoned by Mr. Gryce to visit Ruth Oliver, who is staying with Mrs. Desberger. Ruth, now changed and determined, asks Amelia to accompany her to buy a white satin evening gown and accessories, spen
- [XXXIX: The Watchful Eye](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxix-the-watchful-eye.md): A police operative surveilling Ruth Oliver reports her increasingly erratic behavior over several days. She receives a mysterious dressmaker's box, experiences intense emotional turmoil, and ultimately reveals to Mrs. De
- [As the Clock Struck](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xl-as-the-clock-struck.md): Amelia attends Miss Althorpe's wedding, only to witness Ruth Oliver interrupt the ceremony, claiming she is the bridegroom's true wife and accusing him of murder. The bridegroom collapses as the clock strikes eight.
- [XLI: Secret History](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xli-secret-history.md): Ruth Oliver, writing under the name Olive Randolph, provides a written confession explaining her past with John Randolph (later known as Randolph Stone), their secret marriage, his attempt to murder her, and her eventual
- [With Miss Butterworth's Compliments](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xlii-with-miss-butterworth-s-compliments.md): In the aftermath of the mystery's resolution, Miss Butterworth reflects on the fates of the key figures. Franklin Van Burnam confesses the truth about his sister-in-law's threats and his actions on the night of the murde
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/endnotes.md): Amelia Butterworth provides clarifying endnotes, correcting a misidentification of Franklin Van Burnam and reflecting on the pride of the Van Burnam family.

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