The Brooklyn Murders · Chapter
XV: To and Fro explained
Joan grows anxious when Walter Brooklyn disappears before the inquest.
What happens
Joan grows anxious when Walter Brooklyn disappears before the inquest. Ellery searches for him without success, while Brooklyn had actually spent a quiet night at a Maidenhead hotel. At the inquest, Brooklyn is arrested by Inspector Blaikie. Ellery obtains a permit for Joan to visit him in jail. Meanwhile, Ellery clears his own alibi by meeting William Gloucester, who corroborates his story, and Superintendent Wilson lifts police surveillance. Ellery then commits to clearing Walter Brooklyn and becomes engaged to Joan.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Miscarriage of Justice
Walter Brooklyn's arrest on a murder charge, despite Ellery's belief in his innocence, highlights the tension between police procedure and the possibility of wrongful accusation.
Amateur vs. Professional Detection
Ellery's private investigation to clear Brooklyn contrasts with Inspector Blaikie's official arrest, and Superintendent Wilson's wary cooperation with Ellery's amateur efforts.
Deception and False Clues
Ellery's initial difficulty in recalling the actor's name and the false lead that it began with 'F' underscores the theme of deceptive appearances and mistaken identities.
Characters to notice
- Joan Cowper
Anxious about Walter Brooklyn's disappearance; attends the inquest; passes a note to Brooklyn; later visits him in jail with a permit obtained by Ellery; reveals her engagement to Ellery.
- Robert Ellery
Searches for Walter Brooklyn; obtains permit for Joan to visit Brooklyn; clears his own alibi by finding William Gloucester; has police surveillance lifted; becomes engaged to Joan.
- Walter Brooklyn
Disappears before the inquest; spends the night at a Maidenhead hotel; is arrested at the inquest; sends for solicitor Fred Thomas; is held at Vine Street.
- Harry Lucas
Brings Joan back from the inquest; guesses the reason for Ellery's departure; offers to drive Joan to visit Brooklyn.
- Superintendent Wilson
Receives Ellery at Scotland Yard; confirms Ellery's alibi is satisfactory; lifts police surveillance; wishes Ellery luck in clearing Walter Brooklyn.
- William Gloucester
The actor Ellery was searching for; meets Ellery by chance outside the Golden Cross Hotel; agrees to go to Scotland Yard to corroborate Ellery's alibi.
Key passages
“come from Walter Brooklyn, and she was getting anxious. Was it possible that he had been arrested already?”
Joan was growing worried because she had heard nothing from Walter Brooklyn and feared he might have been taken into custody.
Joan's anxiety about Brooklyn's disappearance before the inquest.
“Thus it came about that he was arrested without her having a chance to ask him to tell his story of the events of Tuesday night.”
As a result, Brooklyn was arrested before Joan could speak with him about what happened on Tuesday night.
Joan's missed opportunity to hear Brooklyn's account before his arrest.
“Ellery tried to move the inspector. He failed, but he was not inclined to give up hope.”
Ellery attempted to persuade the inspector but was unsuccessful; however, he remained determined.
Ellery's persistence in seeking permission for Joan to visit Brooklyn.
“He was so friendly that Ellery had some difficulty in admitting that he had forgotten his name; but he got round it by asking for his address, in case of need.”
Gloucester was so amiable that Ellery found it awkward to confess he had forgotten his name, so he instead asked for his address as a pretext.
Ellery's clever evasion of admitting he forgot Gloucester's name.
