# XXXI: A Button in a Bag explained — The Brooklyn Murders

> Chapter companion for The Brooklyn Murders by G. D. H. Cole.

## What happens

Joan searches Carter Woodman's hotel rooms and office for evidence, finding nothing. Ellery discovers George Brooklyn's hat and coat in a cloakroom at the Avenue, confirming Woodman's masquerade. They discuss fingerprints on the murder weapon and theorize how Woodman entered Liskeard House. Joan resolves to prove Woodman's entry through the coach-yard.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and False Clues

Woodman's masquerade using George Brooklyn's coat and hat is uncovered; the button in the bag provides a crucial clue.

### Amateur vs. Professional Detection

Joan and Ellery conduct their own investigation, searching rooms and theorizing about the crime, while the police are only called in later.

## Character check-ins

### Joan Cowper

Searches Woodman's rooms and office; theorizes about the hiding place of evidence; resolves to prove Woodman's entry into Liskeard House.

### Robert Ellery

Discovers George Brooklyn's hat and coat in a cloakroom; connects the button to the handbag; discusses fingerprints with Joan.

### Carter Woodman

Suspect; his rooms and office are searched; his photograph is shown to staff; his movements are analyzed.

### George Brooklyn

His hat and coat are found, confirming Woodman's masquerade; the button matches the one Joan found.

### Moorman

Woodman's confidential clerk; Joan speaks with him at the office; mentioned as knowing Woodman lunched at the Avenue.

### John Prinsep

His fingerprints on the club are discussed; he was seen handling the club before the murder.

## Key lines

> The initials 'G. B.' stood out, not as plainly as if the gold letters had remained, but quite unmistakably when the lining was carefully examined.

The faded outline of the initials 'G. B.' on the hat lining was clearly visible upon close inspection.

_Ellery identifies George Brooklyn's hat by the residue of removed gold initials._

> That shows that Woodman killed George as well as Prinsep.

Ellery concludes that Woodman is the murderer of both George Brooklyn and John Prinsep.

_Ellery links Woodman to both murders through the fingerprint evidence._

> If Carter got back into Liskeard House I'm going to find out how he did it.

Joan is determined to discover how Woodman re-entered Liskeard House on the night of the murders.

_Joan focuses on proving Woodman's entry through the coach-yard._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters/xxxi-a-button-in-a-bag
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_brooklyn_murders_se/chapters