The Benson Murder Case · Chapter
IX: The Height of the Murderer explained
Vance, Markham, and Van Dine return to Benson's house to conduct a forensic experiment.
What happens
Vance, Markham, and Van Dine return to Benson's house to conduct a forensic experiment. Using a tape measure and string, Vance reconstructs the shooting position and determines the murderer's height to be between 5'10" and 6'2", eliminating Muriel St. Clair as a suspect and pointing toward Captain Leacock. Markham remains skeptical due to the circumstantial evidence against Miss St. Clair, but Vance proceeds to interview Mrs. Platz to further his investigation.
Themes in this chapter
Psychological Detection vs. Conventional Policing
Vance's method of deducing the murderer's height through a physical reconstruction contrasts with Markham's reliance on circumstantial evidence, highlighting the tension between psychological insight and traditional police work.
Appearance vs. Reality
The chapter challenges the apparent evidence against Muriel St. Clair (the handbag, gloves, cigarette butts) by demonstrating that the physical facts of the shooting point to a taller person, underscoring the theme that things are not always as they seem.
Characters to notice
- Philo Vance
Conducts a demonstration to determine the murderer's height, using a tape measure, string, and Snitkin's pistol. He deduces the killer is an expert shot between 5'10" and 6'2", and infers Captain Leacock's height from Markham's reactions.
- John Markham
Reluctantly participates in Vance's experiment, measuring the string and aiming the pistol. He is impressed by the demonstration but remains troubled by the evidence against Muriel St. Clair, particularly the cigarette butts.
- Ernest Heath
Not present in this chapter.
- Anna Platz
Mentioned as the housekeeper; Vance requests her presence for a conversation, believing Markham overlooked potential information during the earlier interview.
- Snitkin
The detective on duty at Benson's house; Vance sends him to fetch a tape measure and string, and later borrows his pistol for the height demonstration.
- Captain Philip Leacock
Implied to be over six feet tall, making him a suspect after Vance's height determination eliminates Muriel St. Clair.
Key passages
“I’m half inclined to turn back. It’s a clear case of justifiable homicide by an outraged interior decorator.”
Vance jokes that the room's ugly decor is so offensive it justifies murder.
Vance uses humor to express his aesthetic disdain for Benson's living room.
“Anaxagoras said that those who have occasion for a lamp, supply it with oil. A profound remark, Markham—one of those seemingly simple quips that contain a great truth. A lamp without oil, y' know, is useless. The police always have plenty of lamps—every variety, in fact—but no oil, as it were. That's why they never find anyone unless it's broad daylight.”
Vance criticizes the police for having tools but lacking the insight to use them effectively.
Vance contrasts his own deductive approach with the police's reliance on obvious methods.
“Your argument is based on the assumption that the person who killed Benson was an expert taking deliberate aim at a small target? Not an assumption, but a fact.”
Vance insists that the precision of the shot proves the killer was an experienced marksman.
Vance defends his reasoning by pointing to the bullet's placement in the forehead.