The Borough Treasurer · Chapter
VII: Night Work explained
Mallalieu, convinced that Cotherstone murdered Kitely, rushes to the police station to direct the investigation.
What happens
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 evidence. Mallalieu learns from the bank manager that Harborough was present when Kitely withdrew money, and from the doctor that the strangulation showed expert knowledge. He orchestrates a manhunt for Harborough while protecting Cotherstone, and later observes Cotherstone's nervous demeanor at work.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Betrayal
Mallalieu deliberately lies about knowing Kitely's identity and manipulates the investigation to frame an innocent man, betraying justice to protect Cotherstone.
Respectability and Hypocrisy
Mallalieu, as Mayor, uses his position to direct police and suppress truth, prioritizing reputation and self-interest over morality.
Crime and Punishment
The murder investigation is actively subverted by Mallalieu to ensure Cotherstone escapes punishment, while Harborough is pursued.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Mallalieu
Takes charge of the police investigation, directing them to pursue Harborough while protecting Cotherstone, whom he believes is the murderer.
- Mr. Cotherstone
Mallalieu is certain Cotherstone killed Kitely; Cotherstone appears worn and nervous when they meet at the yard.
- John Harborough
Mallalieu focuses suspicion on him, using the cord from his shed and his presence at the bank as evidence; Harborough is missing.
- Mr. Kitely
The victim; revealed to be an ex-detective who drew a pension and had money and a gold watch on him when murdered.
- Mr. Bent
Reported the crime to Mallalieu, mentioning Cotherstone's absence from his guests.
- The Doctor
Tells Mallalieu that the strangulation showed experience or sailor's knot knowledge, puzzling Mallalieu.
Key passages
“Never mind what innocent person suffered, Cotherstone must go free.”
Mallalieu is willing to let an innocent person be punished to protect Cotherstone.
Reveals Mallalieu's ruthless prioritization of self-interest over justice.
“He knew his own power, he had a supreme confidence in his ability to manage things, and he was determined to give up the night to the scheme already seething in his fertile brain rather than that justice should enter upon what he would consider a wrong course.”
Mallalieu is arrogantly confident he can manipulate the investigation to prevent justice from targeting Cotherstone.
Highlights Mallalieu's manipulative nature and his view of justice as something to be controlled.
“The filching of the piece of cord from the wall of Harborough’s shed was a clever thing—infernally clever, thought Mallalieu, who had a designing man’s wholehearted admiration for any sort of cleverness in his own particular line.”
Mallalieu admires Cotherstone's cleverness in stealing the cord from Harborough's shed to frame him.
Shows Mallalieu's admiration for cunning, even when used for murder and framing.