# XII: The Silverdale Wills explained — The Case with Nine Solutions

> Chapter companion for The Case with Nine Solutions by J. J. Connington.

## What happens

Mr. Renard visits Sir Clinton Driffield and Inspector Flamborough to express his dissatisfaction with the disposition of his sister Yvonne Silverdale's estate. He reveals that under the wills made at the time of her marriage, all her property—including a recent inheritance of £12,000 from her aunt—would pass to her husband, Dr. Silverdale, if she died before changing her will. Renard had written to his sister urging her to revise her will, but she died before she could act. The chapter explores the financial motives for murder, with Flamborough and Sir Clinton discussing Silverdale's potential motives (money and a new marriage) as well as those of Spratton and Miss Hailsham.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class and Money

The chapter centers on financial motives for murder, with Renard's lament over losing £12,000 and the discussion of how Silverdale gains both money and freedom.

### Deception and Secrecy

Renard's story reveals hidden financial arrangements and the timing of Yvonne's death, raising suspicions of manipulation.

### Justice and Vigilantism

Sir Clinton and Flamborough weigh the motives of various suspects, reflecting on the difficulty of achieving justice when financial interests are at stake.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Renard

Visits Sir Clinton to protest the unfairness of his sister's will; reveals that Yvonne's £12,000 inheritance would go to Silverdale if she died without changing her will.

### Sir Clinton Driffield

Listens to Renard's story and discusses motives for murder with Flamborough, cautioning against being swayed by the latest evidence.

### Inspector Flamborough

Brings Renard to Sir Clinton; lists possible suspects and motives, including Silverdale, Spratton, and Miss Hailsham.

### Silverdale

Discussed as a prime suspect: he gains £12,000 by his wife's death and is free to marry Avice Deepcar.

### Spratton

Mentioned as having a motive: if Hassendean's death is proven murder, Spratton collects insurance money.

### Miss Hailsham

Noted as a vindictive type with a grudge against both victims, possibly acting out of revenge.

## Key lines

> Another day of life, and the twelve thousand pounds goes into one pocket; a death, and the money falls into other hands.

If Yvonne had lived one more day, she would have changed her will and Silverdale would have lost the inheritance; her death ensured he got the money.

_Renard highlights the suspicious timing of Yvonne's death in relation to the inheritance._

> By getting his wife out of the way, he opened the road to a marriage with the Deepcar girl, whom he's obviously keen on. Also, if Renard's story's true, the death of his wife at that particular juncture put £12,000 into his pocket.

Silverdale had two strong motives: he could marry Avice Deepcar and he gained a large sum of money by his wife's death.

_Flamborough summarizes the case against Silverdale._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_case_with_nine_solutions_se/chapters/xii-the-silverdale-wills
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_case_with_nine_solutions_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_case_with_nine_solutions_se/chapters