# XXIX: Amelia Becomes Peremptory explained — That Affair Next Door

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

## What happens

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 right to be treated as a coadjutor rather than a mere amateur. Gryce acknowledges that Amelia first put them on Franklin's track.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance

Amelia feigns affability and uses duplicity to manage Gryce, while Gryce pretends to compliment her to extract information.

### Justice and Truth

Amelia insists on knowing the full evidence before sharing her own, seeking a fair exchange to uncover the truth.

## Character check-ins

### Amelia Butterworth

Assertive and shrewd, she demands reciprocity from the police before sharing her evidence.

### Mr. Gryce

Wary and patronizing, he uses a vase as a prop while probing Amelia's knowledge.

### Howard Van Burnam

Mentioned as not having been in the Duane Street office since his wife's murder.

### Franklin Van Burnam

Implied to be the focus of new police evidence; rings found in his desk.

### Lena

Referenced by Gryce as having possibly shown the police where to look for the rings.

## Key lines

> Mr. Howard Van Burnam did not conceal the rings in the Duane Street office for the reason that he has not been in that office since his wife was killed.

Howard Van Burnam could not have hidden the rings because he hasn't entered that office since the murder.

_Gryce uses this to argue against Howard's involvement._

> I do not believe the stroke given to his wife came from his hand.

Amelia doubts that Howard personally struck his wife.

_She expresses skepticism about Howard's guilt._

> We will treat her as a coadjutor, which, by the way, she says she is not, and by the trust we place in her, secure that discretionary use of our confidence which she shows with so much spirit in regard to her own.

Gryce proposes to treat Amelia as a partner, trusting her with their secrets in exchange for hers.

_Gryce's strategic offer to gain Amelia's cooperation._

## Links

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