The Brooklyn Murders · Chapter
A Letter and Its Consequences explained
Joan, while handling Sir Vernon's private correspondence, discovers a letter from Sir John Bunnery revealing that Carter Woodman and Walter Brooklyn attempted to raise a large loan based on their expected inheritance.
What happens
Joan, while handling Sir Vernon's private correspondence, discovers a letter from Sir John Bunnery revealing that Carter Woodman and Walter Brooklyn attempted to raise a large loan based on their expected inheritance. The letter angers Sir Vernon, prompting him to dictate a new will leaving his fortune to Joan and cutting out Woodman. Joan and Ellery exchange news and agree to pursue proof against Woodman.
Themes in this chapter
Greed and Inheritance
The letter reveals Woodman and Walter's attempt to raise money on their expected inheritance, and Sir Vernon's response by altering his will to cut Woodman out.
Deception and False Clues
Woodman's secret loan attempt and the false statements about being Walter's heir are uncovered, adding to the web of deceit.
Characters to notice
- Joan Cowper
Discovers the letter from Sir John Bunnery and reads it to Sir Vernon, then writes the new will as dictated.
- Sir Vernon Brooklyn
Ill but angered by the letter; dictates a new will leaving his fortune to Joan and cutting out Carter Woodman.
- Carter Woodman
Revealed to have attempted to raise £60,000 on the security of his and Walter Brooklyn's expectations; cut out of the new will.
- Robert Ellery
Brings news of his investigation to Joan; agrees to continue pursuing proof against Woodman.
- Walter Brooklyn
Mentioned as having made Woodman his heir and as a joint party to the loan attempt.
Key passages
“The letter was from Sir John Bunnery, the successful solicitor, well-known in the sporting world as 'the bookmaker's attorney,' a nickname which he had earned by his long association with legal cases connected with the Turf.”
Sir John Bunnery, a solicitor famous for handling betting-related legal matters, wrote the letter.
Introduces Sir John Bunnery's background and his connection to the case.
“Sir John Bunnery began by offering his sympathy to an old friend in the misfortunes which had come upon him, adding that he hoped their drifting apart of late years would not make the sympathy less welcome.”
Sir John expressed condolences to Sir Vernon despite their long estrangement.
Shows the formal tone of the letter and the history between the two men.
“Sir John said that he would, of course, be most pleased to assist Mr. Woodman, who was a personal friend; but although Woodman had approached him in confidence, and asked him not to mention the matter even to Sir Vernon, he had felt it necessary to write equally in confidence to Sir Vernon in order to ascertain whether Woodman and Walter Brooklyn were in fact the heirs.”
Sir John was willing to help Woodman but felt obliged to verify the inheritance claims with Sir Vernon, despite Woodman's request for secrecy.
Highlights the breach of confidence that leads to the revelation.
“The new will left Joan the whole of his fortune, with the request that she should pay to all persons mentioned in the previous will, and still living, the sums there left to them, except that no sum should be paid to Carter Woodman.”
Sir Vernon's new will gave everything to Joan, instructing her to honor previous bequests except for Woodman's.
Key plot point: Woodman is disinherited.