# II: Crime—and Success explained — The Borough Treasurer

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

## What happens

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, and the threat Kitely poses to their respected positions and to his daughter Lettie's future. He meets with Mallalieu to discuss paying blackmail to silence Kitely.

## Themes in this chapter

### Crime and Punishment

Cotherstone and Mallalieu's past embezzlement and imprisonment are central to the chapter, driving the plot.

### Secrecy and Blackmail

Kitely's blackmail threatens to expose the partners' hidden criminal history.

### Respectability and Hypocrisy

The contrast between the men's current respected public roles and their criminal past is a key theme.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Cotherstone

Struggles with the shock of Kitely's blackmail, reflecting on his past crime and his current respected position as Borough Treasurer.

### Mr. Mallalieu

Cotherstone's partner in crime and success; they discuss how to handle Kitely's blackmail.

### Mr. Kitely

The blackmailer who has recognized Cotherstone and Mallalieu from their past; he has left after making his demands.

### Lettie Cotherstone

Cotherstone's daughter, whose engagement to Windle Bent and future prospects are a key reason he wants to avoid exposure.

### Bert Stoner

Clerk who interrupts Cotherstone's brooding with letters and contracts to sign.

## Key lines

> For some moments after Kitely had left him, Cotherstone stood vacantly staring at the chair in which the blackmailer had sat.

Cotherstone is stunned and motionless after Kitely's departure, staring at the empty chair.

_Shows Cotherstone's shock and the weight of the revelation._

> It had been Cotherstone's lifelong endeavour to forget all about the event of thirty years ago, and to a large extent he had succeeded in dulling his memory.

Cotherstone had tried for thirty years to suppress the memory of their crime, and had mostly managed to do so.

_Highlights his psychological repression and the threat Kitely poses._

> At all costs, Kitely's silence must be purchased—aye, even if it cost him and Mallalieu one-half of what they had.

Cotherstone resolves to pay any price, even half their wealth, to ensure Kitely does not expose them.

_Demonstrates the extreme lengths he is willing to go to protect his secret._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/ii-crime-and-success
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters