# XXV: Vance Demonstrates explained — The Canary Murder Case

> Chapter companion for The Canary Murder Case by S. S. Van Dine.

## What happens

Vance demonstrates how Tony Skeel could have entered and exited Margaret Odell's apartment without the operator's knowledge, using a simple trick with tweezers and twine to bolt the side door from the outside, undermining the case against Jessup.

## Themes in this chapter

### Circumstantial Evidence vs. Deduction

Vance's demonstration challenges the circumstantial case against Jessup by showing an alternative explanation for the bolted door.

### Deception and Manipulation

Skeel's use of a simple mechanical trick to deceive the operator and police highlights the theme of manipulation.

## Character check-ins

### Philo Vance

Leads the demonstration, showing how Skeel manipulated the door bolt.

### John F.-X. Markham

Accompanies Vance, skeptical but willing to observe the demonstration.

### Ernest Heath

Initially jocular, becomes astonished as Vance proves Skeel could have bolted the door from outside.

### Spively

Briefly present at the switchboard, then sent for a walk during the demonstration.

### Tony Skeel

Referenced as the one who used the tweezers-and-twine method; his evening clothes contained the apparatus.

## Key lines

> Thus did Mr. Skeel enter the lady's boudoir Monday night after the side door had been bolted, without the operator's seeing him.

Vance shows how Skeel could have entered the apartment unseen after the side door was bolted.

_Key moment demonstrating Skeel's entry method._

> I found the little apparatus in his evening clothes yesterday morning.

Vance reveals he discovered the tweezers and twine in Skeel's suit pocket.

_Evidence supporting Vance's theory._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/chapters/xxv-vance-demonstrates
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_canary_murder_case_se/chapters