The Borough Treasurer · Chapter
VI: The Mayor explained
Bent and Brereton inform Mallalieu of Kitely's murder, and Mallalieu, as chief magistrate, resolves to investigate.
What happens
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 father's shed, which implicates John Harborough. Brereton argues the evidence is too obvious to be genuine, suggesting a frame-up.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Punishment
The murder of Kitely and the immediate investigation highlight the themes of crime and the search for justice.
Deception and Betrayal
The cut cord evidence suggests a deliberate attempt to frame Harborough, pointing to deception.
Justice and Innocence
Brereton's argument that the evidence is too obvious indicates a concern for true justice versus circumstantial guilt.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Mallalieu
Shocked by the news of Kitely's murder; as chief magistrate, he decides to go to the police station.
- Mr. Brereton
Observes Mallalieu's reaction and later argues that the cut cord evidence points to a frame-up rather than Harborough's guilt.
- Mr. Bent
Delivers the news of Kitely's murder to Mallalieu and later accompanies the police to Harborough's cottage.
- Avice Harborough
Informed of her father's suspected involvement; remains composed and allows the police to search the shed.
- John Harborough
Absent from home; the cut cord from his shed becomes key evidence against him.
Key passages
“Bent felt the arm into which he had just slipped his own literally quiver with a spasmodic response to the astonished brain; the pipe which Mallalieu was smoking fell from his lips; out of his lips came something very like a cry of dismay.”
Mallalieu reacted with extreme shock when Bent told him about the murder, dropping his pipe and crying out.
Shows Mallalieu's intense, possibly guilty, reaction to the news.
“I haven't a doubt that the piece of cord with which Kitely was strangled was cut off that coil! Now what does it mean? Of course, to me it's the very surest proof that this man Harborough had nothing to do with the murder.”
Brereton believes the cut cord actually proves Harborough's innocence, as no sensible murderer would leave such obvious evidence.
Highlights Brereton's logical reasoning and the theme of deception.