The Case with Nine Solutions · Chapter
XIV: The Jacket explained
Inspector Flamborough and Sir Clinton Driffield visit the Croft-Thornton Institute to interrogate Dr.
What happens
Inspector Flamborough and Sir Clinton Driffield visit the Croft-Thornton Institute to interrogate Dr. Markfield and Dr. Silverdale. Flamborough presents a torn piece of cloth with a button, stained with picric acid, and presses Markfield about its origin. Markfield initially evades, but after a threat of being an accessory to murder, he cooperates. Flamborough then questions Silverdale about his alibi for the night of the maid's murder, his lost cigarette holder, his banjo playing, and a torn and bloodstained laboratory coat. Silverdale cannot explain the coat's condition, and Markfield interjects that someone might have borrowed it. Flamborough seizes the coat as evidence and warns Silverdale about his silence.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Secrecy
Markfield's initial evasion and Silverdale's silence about his movements highlight the theme of concealment and withheld information.
Murder and Investigation
The chapter focuses on police interrogation, gathering evidence (the torn coat, button, bloodstain), and building a case against Silverdale.
Science and Poison
The picric acid stain on the cloth and the laboratory setting underscore the scientific and chemical aspects of the investigation.
Characters to notice
- Sir Clinton Driffield
Present during the interrogation at the Croft-Thornton Institute; his expression indicates a rising opinion of Markfield.
- Dr. Trevor Markfield
Questioned by Flamborough about the torn cloth and button; initially evasive but later cooperates; interjects to suggest someone might have borrowed Silverdale's coat.
- Inspector Flamborough
Leads the interrogation, presenting evidence and pressing both Markfield and Silverdale for answers; seizes the laboratory coat as evidence.
- Silverdale
Questioned about his alibi, lost cigarette holder, banjo playing, and the torn, bloodstained laboratory coat; cannot explain the coat's condition and appears nervous.
Key passages
“What do you make of that, Dr. Markfield?”
Flamborough asks Markfield to examine the torn cloth and button.
Flamborough presents the key piece of evidence to Markfield.
“I’ve no information to give you.”
Silverdale refuses to provide an alibi for the night of the maid's murder.
Silverdale's silence raises suspicion.
“They used to say a man was innocent until he was proved guilty, Inspector, but I see you’ve interchanged the adjectives nowadays.”
Markfield sarcastically criticizes Flamborough for presuming guilt.
Markfield's ironic closing remark undermines the Inspector's authority.