# The Borough Treasurer — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Borough Treasurer by J. S. Fletcher.

- [I: Blackmail](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/i-blackmail.md): In the first chapter, the reader is introduced to the prosperous building firm of Mallalieu and Cotherstone in Highmarket. The two partners are inspecting new carts when a visitor, Mr. Kitely, arrives. Kitely, an ex-dete
- [II: Crime—and Success](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/ii-crime-and-success.md): Cotherstone is left reeling after Kitely's revelation that he recognizes him and Mallalieu as men convicted of embezzlement thirty years ago. He reflects on their past crime, their successful reinvention in Highmarket, a
- [III: Murder](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/iii-murder.md): Cotherstone, preoccupied with the blackmail threat from Kitely, reluctantly hosts a supper for his daughter Lettie, her fiancé Windle Bent, and Bent's friend, the young barrister Brereton. During the evening, their neigh
- [IV: The Pine Wood](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/iv-the-pine-wood.md): News of Kitely's murder reaches Cotherstone's home during a social gathering. Cotherstone reacts with visible shock and distress. Garthwaite leads Cotherstone, Bent, and Brereton to the body in the pine wood, where signs
- [The Cord](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/v-the-cord.md): Brereton observes Cotherstone's oddly elated reaction to Kitely's murder. The police discover that Kitely was strangled with a pig-killer's cord, leading suspicion toward John Harborough. The group visits Harborough's co
- [VI: The Mayor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/vi-the-mayor.md): Bent and Brereton inform Mallalieu of Kitely's murder, and Mallalieu, as chief magistrate, resolves to investigate. Later, they visit Avice Harborough to inform her of the murder and the discovery of a cut cord from her 
- [VII: Night Work](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/vii-night-work.md): Mallalieu, convinced that Cotherstone murdered Kitely, rushes to the police station to direct the investigation. He manipulates the authorities to focus suspicion on Harborough, using the cord from Harborough's shed as e
- [VIII: Retained for the Defence](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/viii-retained-for-the-defence.md): Mallalieu and Brereton arrive at the police station where John Harborough has voluntarily presented himself after being suspected of Kitely's murder. Harborough refuses to reveal his whereabouts during the night, despite
- [Antecedents](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/ix-antecedents.md): Brereton decides to investigate Kitely's past and calls Miss Pett to the witness stand. Her testimony reveals that Kitely was secretive about his life and business, had no known relations, and had made a will leaving his
- [X: The Hole in the Thatch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/x-the-hole-in-the-thatch.md): Brereton discusses the murder case with Bent, suggesting that Miss Pett could be a suspect alongside Harborough. He reveals his private suspicion of Cotherstone, noting that Cotherstone led the group directly to the murd
- [XI: Christopher Pett](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xi-christopher-pett.md): Brereton and the superintendent discuss the murder of Kitely, theorizing that the killer used an electric torch to examine the papers from the pocketbook at the scene. Later, Christopher Pett, a sly lawyer and Miss Pett'
- [XII: Parental Anxiety](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xii-parental-anxiety.md): Cotherstone's growing irritation with Mallalieu boils over into a heated confrontation, where mutual suspicion about Kitely's murder is barely concealed. Mallalieu warns Cotherstone to keep calm for his daughter's sake. 
- [XIII: The Anonymous Letter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xiii-the-anonymous-letter.md): Brereton takes stock of the case three weeks before the Norcaster Assizes. Harborough has been committed for trial, and Brereton clashes with Christopher Pett, who is overly familiar and pessimistic about Harborough's ch
- [XIV: The Sheet of Figures](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xiv-the-sheet-of-figures.md): Stoner reflects on why he stole a sheet of figures from Cotherstone, driven by suspicions about Cotherstone's connection to Kitely's murder and the repeated mention of 'Wilchester.' He deciphers the figures as compound i
- [XV: One Thing Leads to Another](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xv-one-thing-leads-to-another.md): Stoner visits his friend Myler in Darlington and, by chance, meets Myler's father-in-law, Mr. Pursey, who reveals that he knew the murdered Kitely from thirty years ago during the Wilchester Assizes case of Mallows & Chi
- [XVI: The Lonely Moor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xvi-the-lonely-moor.md): Bert Stoner, after consulting his friend Myler, decides to blackmail his employer Mallalieu rather than claim the reward for information about Kitely's murder. Confronting Mallalieu on a lonely moor, Stoner reveals he kn
- [XVII: The Medical Opinion](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xvii-the-medical-opinion.md): Brereton visits the police station and learns that the doctors have determined Stoner was felled by a savage blow before falling into the quarry, suggesting another murder. A railway ticket-collector reports that Stoner 
- [The Scrap Book](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xviii-the-scrap-book.md): Brereton, alone after dinner, reflects on the cryptic entries in Kitely's memoranda and Stoner's pocketbook, realizing they point to a shared secret. He discovers Kitely's scrap-book and deciphers the code 'M. & C. v. S.
- [XIX: A Tall Man in Grey Clothes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xix-a-tall-man-in-grey-clothes.md): Brereton and Avice walk across the moor, where Brereton shares his confidential theories about the case. Avice reveals that Mallalieu had been harassing her and that her father, Harborough, angrily ordered him away. They
- [At Bay](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xx-at-bay.md): Brereton learns of Bent's impending marriage to Lettie Cotherstone and becomes determined to prevent it until Cotherstone's past is cleared. He confides in Tallington, who insists on telling Bent and confronting Cotherst
- [The Interrupted Flight](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxi-the-interrupted-flight.md): Mallalieu, having witnessed Stoner's fall into Hobwick Quarry, decides to flee. He carefully inspects the quarry to ensure his walking stick is not found, then plans a public departure under the guise of town business. H
- [XXII: The Hand in the Darkness](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxii-the-hand-in-the-darkness.md): Mallalieu is arrested for murder and brought before a bench of magistrates alongside Cotherstone. During the hearing, Mallalieu demands bail but is refused, and both are committed to Norcaster Gaol. While awaiting transf
- [Comfortable Captivity](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxiii-comfortable-captivity.md): Mallalieu is hidden by Miss Pett in Kitely's old cottage, where she assures him of safety and provides comfort. She drugs his drink, searches his waistcoat, and later admits her nephew Christopher Pett at midnight.
- [Strict Business Lines](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxiv-strict-business-lines.md): Christopher Pett arrives at his aunt's cottage and learns that Mallalieu, the escaped mayor, is hiding there. Miss Pett plans to profit from harboring him. Christopher goes into town to gather information and assess the 
- [No Further Evidence](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxv-no-further-evidence.md): Cotherstone, imprisoned in Norcaster Gaol, resolves to fight the charges against him rather than flee like Mallalieu. He hires a solicitor and barrister, and later testifies at the inquest for Stoner's murder, swearing h
- [The Virtues of Suspicion](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxvi-the-virtues-of-suspicion.md): Mallalieu, confined in Kitely's cottage and dependent on Christopher Pett for news, learns that a coroner's verdict of wilful murder has been returned against him, largely due to Cotherstone's evidence. Christopher and M
- [Mr. Wraythwaite of Wraye](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxvii-mr-wraythwaite-of-wraye.md): Brereton is summoned by solicitor Carfax to meet Mr. Wraythwaite, who reveals he is the rightful heir to the Wraye estate and can provide Harborough with an alibi for the night of Kitely's murder. Carfax also hints at ne
- [XXVIII: Pages from the Past](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxviii-pages-from-the-past.md): Mr. Wraythwaite and Mr. Carfax reveal the results of private investigations into Miss Pett's past. Inquiry agents Stobb and Leykin report that Miss Pett was previously suspected in the death of Major Stilman, from whom s
- [Without Thought of Consequence](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxix-without-thought-of-consequence.md): Mallalieu, confined by Miss Pett and Christopher Pett, grows increasingly paranoid and suspicious of their intentions. He discovers they have been drugging him and fears they have searched his belongings. In a tense conf
- [XXX: Cotherstone](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxx-cotherstone.md): Cotherstone, having been discharged from court, faces public scorn and isolation in Highmarket. He attempts to celebrate with his barrister at the Arms hotel, but is met with cold silence and contempt from the townspeopl
- [The Barrister's Fee](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxxi-the-barrister-s-fee.md): Six months after the tragedies, Brereton returns to the northern hills to visit Avice Harborough at Wraye, where she and her father have settled. He avoids looking at Highmarket, haunted by memories. He learns that Bent 

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