The Borough Treasurer · Chapter
X: The Hole in the Thatch explained
Brereton discusses the murder case with Bent, suggesting that Miss Pett could be a suspect alongside Harborough.
What happens
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 murder scene despite only just hearing of the death. Brereton visits the crime scene and learns that incriminating evidence—banknotes and papers from Kitely—has been found hidden in the thatch of Harborough's shed.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Innocence
Brereton works to prove Harborough's innocence while exploring alternative suspects.
Deception and Betrayal
Cotherstone's feigned ignorance and possible betrayal of his partner Mallalieu are central to Brereton's suspicions.
Secrecy and Blackmail
The hidden banknotes and papers in the thatch suggest secret dealings and potential blackmail.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Brereton
Defending Harborough; privately suspects Cotherstone and publicly suggests Miss Pett as a possible murderer.
- Mr. Bent
Brereton's host; shows curiosity about the case and discusses the evidence.
- Miss Pett
Suspect proposed by Brereton; strong and wiry, may benefit from Kitely's death.
- Mr. Cotherstone
Brereton suspects him due to his direct knowledge of the murder scene and his behavior on the night of the murder.
- John Harborough
The accused; evidence against him includes banknotes and papers found hidden in his shed's thatch.
Key passages
“What motive could Harborough have had for killing Kitely? There’s abundant testimony in the town—from his daughter, from neighbours, from tradesmen—that Harborough was never short of money—he’s always had more money than most men in his position are supposed to have. Do you think it likely that he’d have killed Kitely for thirty pounds?”
Brereton argues that Harborough had no financial motive to murder Kitely for a mere thirty pounds, as he was known to be well-off.
Brereton questions the prosecution's motive for Harborough.
“How did Cotherstone know exactly where, in that half-mile of wooded hillside, the murder had been committed of which he had only heard five minutes before? Yet, he led them all to within a few yards of the dead man, until he suddenly checked himself, thrust the lantern into Garthwaite’s hands and said that of course he didn’t know where the body was!”
Brereton notes that Cotherstone inexplicably led the group directly to the murder scene, suggesting prior knowledge.
Key clue pointing to Cotherstone's possible guilt.
“They found the banknotes which Kitely got at the Bank yesterday evening, and a quantity of letters and papers that we presume had been in that empty pocketbook. They were all hidden in a hole in the thatch of Harborough’s shed.”
Police discovered Kitely's banknotes and papers concealed in the thatch of Harborough's shed, strengthening the case against him.
Incriminating evidence found at Harborough's property.