The Brooklyn Murders · Chapter
The Spaniard Does His Bit explained
Ellery meets the Spaniard in Trafalgar Square, who provides two witnesses confirming Walter Brooklyn's alibi at 11:40 PM.
What happens
Ellery meets the Spaniard in Trafalgar Square, who provides two witnesses confirming Walter Brooklyn's alibi at 11:40 PM. Ellery arranges for all witnesses to meet at Thomas's office the next morning. Later, one witness threatens to withdraw but is persuaded to attend after learning Ellery's personal stake. Joan and Ellery share news and plan the meeting, though Joan is exhausted from caring for Sir Vernon.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Miscarriage of Justice
The chapter focuses on proving Walter Brooklyn's alibi to prevent a wrongful conviction, highlighting the pursuit of justice.
Deception and False Clues
The witness's initial refusal to testify due to personal grudges introduces the theme of deceptive motives and unreliable evidence.
Love and Marriage
Ellery's engagement to Joan motivates his relentless efforts to clear her stepfather, and their tender interactions underscore the theme.
Characters to notice
- Robert Ellery
Meets the Spaniard, secures alibi witnesses, and arranges the morning meeting at Thomas's office.
- Joan Cowper
Anxiously awaits Ellery's news, shares her doubts about her stepfather, and insists on attending the meeting despite exhaustion.
- Walter Brooklyn
His alibi is confirmed by witnesses; he is the stepfather Joan is determined to clear.
- Kitty Frensham
Secured as a witness via telephone message to Mandleham's flat.
- Horace Mandleham
Promises to bring Kitty Frensham to the meeting at Thomas's office.
- Sir Vernon Brooklyn
Informed about George's death; his condition worsens and he demands to see the police.
Key passages
“The Spaniard made Ellery a low bow, accompanied by a sweeping gesture with his broad-brimmed hat; and Ellery, doing his best to live up to the occasion, returned the salutation with a very inferior grace.”
The Spaniard greeted Ellery with an elaborate bow and hat flourish, and Ellery awkwardly tried to match the formal gesture.
Highlights the contrast between the Spaniard's theatrical dignity and Ellery's discomfort with such formality.
“The Spaniard, as Ellery told Joan afterwards, took the devil of a time to come down to brass tacks.”
Ellery later remarked that the Spaniard was extremely slow to get to the point.
Emphasizes the Spaniard's circuitous manner of speaking before revealing crucial information.
“He had found, and could produce, conclusive evidence that Walter Brooklyn had been in Trafalgar Square at the time he had stated.”
The Spaniard had discovered and could present definitive proof that Walter Brooklyn was in Trafalgar Square at the claimed time.
Key moment establishing the alibi's credibility.
“The second man, perhaps, the Spaniard hinted—oh, so delicately that his way of saying it seemed to make petty larceny a fine art—in the hope of picking a few trifles out of Mr. Brooklyn’s pockets, had actually followed him round the Square.”
The Spaniard subtly suggested that the second man had followed Brooklyn hoping to pick his pockets.
Reveals the witness's shady background while underscoring the Spaniard's refined manner of speaking.
“He was met with a refusal. The Spaniard was only too glad to have been of some service—to a lady.”
The Spaniard declined payment, saying he was happy to help for the sake of a lady.
Shows the Spaniard's chivalrous nature and refusal of monetary reward.
“Love did not keep Ellery awake. He was tired, and he slept soundly.”
Despite his romantic feelings, Ellery was exhausted and slept well.
Contrasts the typical romantic trope with Ellery's practical exhaustion.
