The Case with Nine Solutions · Chapter
IX: The Creditor explained
Inspector Flamborough visits the moneylender Spratton to investigate Ronald Hassendean's debts, learning that Hassendean had borrowed over a thousand pounds and taken out a life insurance policy for £5,000.
What happens
Inspector Flamborough visits the moneylender Spratton to investigate Ronald Hassendean's debts, learning that Hassendean had borrowed over a thousand pounds and taken out a life insurance policy for £5,000. Flamborough notices a resemblance between Spratton and Sir Clinton Driffield. Later, Octave Renard, brother of the murdered Mrs. Yvonne Silverdale, visits Flamborough and reveals that Yvonne had recently inherited £12,000 from her wealthy aunt, a fact her husband Silverdale had not disclosed.
Themes in this chapter
Class and Money
The chapter explores financial motives through Hassendean's debts and Yvonne's inheritance, highlighting the intersection of money and murder.
Deception and Secrecy
Spratton's evasiveness about Hassendean's loans and Silverdale's concealment of his wife's inheritance underscore the theme of hidden truths.
Characters to notice
- Inspector Flamborough
Visits Spratton's office to investigate Hassendean's debts; later interviews Octave Renard about his sister's inheritance.
- Spratton
The moneylender who lent money to Ronald Hassendean; Flamborough notes a resemblance to Sir Clinton Driffield.
- Ronald Hassendean
The murdered young man; his financial dealings with Spratton are the focus of Flamborough's visit.
- Octave Renard
Brother of Yvonne Silverdale; visits Flamborough to learn about the case and reveals Yvonne's recent inheritance.
- Yvonne Silverdale
The murdered woman; her brother reveals she inherited £12,000 from her aunt shortly before her death.
- Silverdale
Yvonne's husband; Renard notes that Silverdale did not mention the inheritance to Flamborough.
Key passages
“Quite impressive as a flytrap. Looks like a good solid business with plenty of money to spend. And the clerks have good manners, too. Spratton's evidently bent on making a nice impression on new clients.”
Flamborough observes that Spratton's office appears respectable and well-run, designed to attract borrowers.
Flamborough's initial impression of the moneylender's premises.
“This fellow would have made a good actor. He does it deuced well. But who the devil does he remind me of?”
Flamborough thinks Spratton's performance of checking records is theatrical, and he struggles to place the man's familiar appearance.
Flamborough's suspicion of Spratton's act and his memory of a resemblance.
“My sister was the favourite of her aunt. She was down in her will, you understand? And my aunt was a very wealthy woman. Pots of money, as you English say.”
Renard explains that Yvonne was the primary beneficiary of her wealthy aunt's estate.
Renard reveals the inheritance motive to Flamborough.