# Excerpts from Sir Clinton’s Notebook explained — The Case with Nine Solutions > Chapter companion for The Case with Nine Solutions by J. J. Connington. ## What happens Sir Clinton Driffield reviews the evidence and develops a hypothesis about the murders. He notes the breakup of the Silverdale ménage, Hassendean's interference with coffee service, Mrs. Silverdale's dazed appearance, and the two shots that wounded Hassendean not fired in Ivy Lodge. He considers the disappearance of Mrs. Silverdale, Hassendean's dying words, the murder of the maid at Heatherfield, the ransacked drawer, the envelope fragment dated 1925, and the old dance programmes. He concludes the affair is not a simple triangle tragedy, pointing to drugging, the Heatherfield burglary, and Hassendean's phrase 'Caught me...' He suspects Dr. Markfield, noting his reluctance to testify against Silverdale, his knowledge of the case, and his access to hyoscine. After the discovery of the bungalow tragedy, he deduces Hassendean drugged and accidentally killed Mrs. Silverdale, then shot her body to mislead. He identifies hyoscine as the poison, explaining Hassendean's dosage error. He considers Miss Hailsham as 'Justice' but finds it problematic. He notes Markfield's car accident alibi and the man seeking reward at the police station. He suspects Markfield of the Heatherfield burglary to retrieve letters, and notes the fake photographs point to Markfield. He lists points against Markfield, including his intimacy with Mrs. Silverdale, his movements, and his access to a microphotographic camera. He concludes strong suspicion but no proof, and decides to bluff. After the explosion at Markfield's house, he notes Markfield died, and the case ends as a draw. ## Themes in this chapter ### Murder and Investigation Sir Clinton systematically analyzes clues, develops hypotheses, and evaluates suspects in the double murder case. ### Deception and Secrecy Lies, hidden relationships, and secret letters are central; Silverdale lies about his alibi, and Markfield's past with Mrs. Silverdale is concealed. ### Science and Poison Hyoscine is identified as the poison; Hassendean's dosage error due to metric/apothecary confusion is explained. ### Identity and Appearance The ring's initial B, the fake photographs, and the use of disguises (amateur theatricals) highlight issues of identity and deception. ## Character check-ins ### Sir Clinton Driffield Author of the notebook; analyzes evidence and develops hypotheses about the murders. ### Hassendean Victim; his dying words and actions are analyzed; suspected of drugging and accidentally killing Mrs. Silverdale. ### Yvonne Silverdale Victim; her dazed appearance, disappearance, and the ring with initial B are noted; suspected of being drugged by Hassendean. ### Silverdale Suspect; his lie about working late at the Croft-Thornton Institute is exposed; his cigarette-holder found at bungalow. ### Dr. Trevor Markfield Prime suspect; his movements, access to hyoscine, and possible guilt in the Heatherfield burglary and murders are detailed. ### Avice Deepcar Silverdale's new interest; provides alibi for Silverdale; her house was raided. ### Miss Hailsham Suspected of being 'Justice'; does not wish to see Hassendean's murderer caught. ### Justice Mysterious figure; one of the watchers at the bungalow; sent fake photographs; anti-Silverdale. ## Key lines > The breakup of the Silverdale ménage, with Silverdale turning to Avice Deepcar whilst Mrs. Silverdale lets Hassendean frequent her openly. The Silverdale household fell apart as Silverdale pursued Avice Deepcar and Mrs. Silverdale openly entertained Hassendean. _Sir Clinton notes the marital breakdown as a key clue._ > The 'dazed' appearance of Mrs. Silverdale when she left the house after coffee. Mrs. Silverdale looked confused or drugged when she left after coffee. _This suggests she may have been drugged._ > The two shots which wounded Hassendean at close quarters were not fired in Ivy Lodge. Hassendean was shot elsewhere, not in Ivy Lodge. _This exonerates Dr. Ringwood from suspicion._ > The words: 'Caught me … Thought it was all right. … Never guessed,' which Hassendean uttered before he died. Hassendean's dying words were 'Caught me… Thought it was all right… Never guessed.' _Sir Clinton notes that 'Caught me' suggests a different scenario than a simple love triangle._ > The murder of the maid at Heatherfield, which was clearly done by someone she knew well or she would not have admitted him at that time of night. The maid was killed by someone she trusted, as she let them in late at night. _This points to an acquaintance as the murderer._ > The ransacking of one particular drawer in Mrs. Silverdale’s bedroom, suggesting that the murderer had full knowledge of her private affairs. Only one drawer was ransacked, indicating the murderer knew exactly what they were looking for. _This suggests the murderer had intimate knowledge of Mrs. Silverdale's secrets._ > The envelope fragment with the date-stamp 1925, which might indicate that the drawer had held letters compromising to the murderer. An envelope fragment dated 1925 suggests the drawer contained letters that could incriminate the murderer. _This links the Heatherfield burglary to the bungalow murder._ > The old dance programmes on which asterisks stood for the name of some partner, who must have been intimate with her at that period. Old dance programmes used asterisks to hide a partner's name, indicating a secret intimate relationship. _This hints at a past lover who may be involved._ > Curious that Dr. Markfield should pilot Ringwood right across the town and then drop him at the end of the avenue instead of going a hundred yards or so further, to the very gate of the house. It's odd that Dr. Markfield drove Ringwood across town but stopped short of the house. _This suggests Markfield may have wanted to avoid being seen at Heatherfield._ > Worth keeping in mind that Dr. Markfield knew Mrs. Silverdale well at one time, though he cooled off later (Ringwood’s evidence). Dr. Markfield was once close to Mrs. Silverdale but later distanced himself. _This establishes a possible motive for Markfield._ > Obviously Hassendean prepared the bungalow beforehand for the reception of Mrs. Silverdale. Either she consented to go there willingly; or else, as seems more likely, he drugged her after dinner and took her there without her consent. Hassendean set up the bungalow in advance, likely drugging Mrs. Silverdale and taking her there against her will. _Sir Clinton concludes the abduction was premeditated._ > Evidently he overshot the dose of the drug and killed her. His subsequent shooting the body suggests that he meant to leave an obvious cause of death, which might divert attention from the poison altogether and cause it to be overlooked in a P.M. examination. Hassendean accidentally gave her a fatal overdose, then shot her body to make it look like a shooting death and hide the poison. _This explains the shooting as a cover-up._ > Four people at least were at the bungalow that night: Mrs. Silverdale, Hassendean, and the two watchers at the windows. At least four people were present at the bungalow: the two victims and two observers. _One of the watchers is likely 'Justice' and possibly the murderer._ > The initial B engraved in the ring evidently indicates the donor, and it may stand for either a real initial or the initial of a pet name. The ring's 'B' could be a real initial or a pet name for the donor. _This might link to Markfield if she used a pet name for him._ > The cigarette-holder found at the bungalow is undoubtedly Silverdale’s, but that does not necessarily prove that Silverdale was ever there. Silverdale's cigarette-holder was found, but it could have been planted by someone else. _This suggests an attempt to frame Silverdale._ > As to Markfield, I notice he makes a parade of intense reluctance if he is asked to give evidence involving Silverdale; but when he is actually induced to talk, he says things which tell heavily against his colleague. Markfield pretends to be reluctant to testify against Silverdale, but then gives damaging testimony. _This suggests Markfield is deliberately trying to incriminate Silverdale._ > One point certainly tells badly against Silverdale’s credibility. He must have told a deliberate lie when he said that on the night of the bungalow murder he was working late at the Croft-Thornton Institute. Silverdale lied about working late at the institute on the night of the murder. _This damages his credibility but doesn't prove murder._ > The only factor of sufficient importance seems to be a woman whom he hoped to shield by his lie; and the only woman in the case, so far, whom he has a clear interest in is Miss Deepcar. Silverdale likely lied to protect a woman, probably Miss Deepcar. _This suggests a romantic motive for the lie._ > As I expected, hyoscine was the poison. That fits in with Hassendean’s journal entry and with the hypothesis I made before. Hyoscine was the poison, confirming Sir Clinton's earlier hypothesis. _This validates his deductive reasoning._ > It seems probable that Hassendean looked up the normal dose of hyoscine in a book of reference, found it given in apothecaries’ weights as '⅟₁₀₀ gr.', and copied this down as it stood, without making a note to remind him that here gr. meant 'grain' and not 'gram'. Hassendean likely misread the dose, confusing grains with grams, leading to a fatal overdose. _This explains the accidental poisoning._ > Miss Hailsham obviously does not wish to see Hassendean’s murderer caught; and therefore her identification with 'Justice' is more than problematical. Miss Hailsham seems to want the murderer to escape, so she may not be 'Justice'. _This casts doubt on her involvement._ > Markfield’s car, GX.9074, is alleged to have been in an accident that night. The man who complained about it might provide a clue to Markfield’s movements, if we can lay hands on him. Markfield's car was reportedly in an accident that night, and the complainant could reveal his whereabouts. _This could provide an alibi or incriminate Markfield._ > The man who appeared at Fountain Street Police Station, fishing for a reward in connection with the bungalow affair, can hardly be anyone but one of the two watchers at the windows. The man seeking a reward at the police station is likely one of the bungalow watchers. _This person may have witnessed the murder._ > Markfield, according to Ringwood’s evidence, used to go in for amateur theatricals. Markfield was involved in amateur theater, suggesting he could disguise himself. _This supports the idea he could have committed the Heatherfield burglary in disguise._ > Markfield knew—for he told me so at the Croft-Thornton—that Miss Deepcar was out of town on the night of the raid on her house, so if he was the raider, he could be sure that he wouldn’t have to meet her. Markfield knew Miss Deepcar was away, making it safe for him to raid her house. _This points to Markfield as the burglar._ > The photographs are obvious fakes if one examines them carefully. Their only importance is as a guide to the identity of 'Justice.' They limit the circle still further, since the production of them implies the use of a good microphotographic camera; and the Croft-Thornton Institute has more than one of these. The fake photographs were made with a microphotographic camera, likely from the Croft-Thornton Institute, narrowing the suspect pool. _This points to someone with access to the institute's equipment, like Markfield._ > Points which seem to tell against Markfield: He was intimate with Mrs. Silverdale shortly after she came here. He was near Heatherfield on the night of the murder. He knew the maid was alone in Heatherfield except for her sick companion. He could easily have obtained possession of Silverdale’s cigarette-holder. Owing to his housekeeper’s absence, he could move about freely with no check on the times when he left his house or returned to it. He was out at the Research Station on the Lizardbridge Road early in the evening on the night of the bungalow affair. The evidence he gave us, for all his pretence of reluctance, was directed against Silverdale. He was well acquainted with all the arrangements of the Croft-Thornton Institute. Owing to his earlier association with Mrs. Silverdale, he had access to specimens of her writing. His car’s number, GX.9074, was known to Whalley, who made inquiries about it with reference to the night of the murders. He knew that Silverdale had a banjo. He had access to Silverdale’s laboratory coat. He knew of the relations between Silverdale and Miss Deepcar. He knew that Miss Deepcar would be out of town on the night when the raid was made on her house. He was a good amateur actor. He had access to a microphotographic camera. Sir Clinton lists many circumstantial points against Markfield, including his past with Mrs. Silverdale, his movements, his access to evidence, and his ability to disguise himself. _This builds a strong circumstantial case against Markfield._ > Make the assumption that his earlier association with Mrs. Silverdale was a guilty and not an innocent one, and see where that leads. Assume Markfield had a guilty secret affair with Mrs. Silverdale, and the case becomes clearer. _This hypothesis explains the motives for the murders._ > That they took special care to conceal their intimacy, since Silverdale would have been glad of a divorce. That they themselves did not wish for a divorce, possibly for financial reasons. Markfield and Mrs. Silverdale hid their affair because Silverdale wanted a divorce, but they didn't want one, likely for money. _This provides a motive for secrecy and murder._ > That Hassendean was utilised as a shield for the real intrigue, without understanding that he was serving this purpose. Hassendean was used as a decoy to cover the real affair between Markfield and Mrs. Silverdale. _This explains Hassendean's role._ > That he took the bit in his teeth and resorted to hyoscine to gain his ends. Hassendean took matters into his own hands and used hyoscine to try to get what he wanted. _This led to the accidental overdose._ > That Markfield, on his way home from the Research Station that night, caught a glimpse of Hassendean driving Mrs. Silverdale out to the bungalow, and became suspicious. That he followed them and the tragedy ensued. Markfield saw Hassendean driving Mrs. Silverdale to the bungalow, followed them, and the murder happened. _This suggests Markfield killed Hassendean._ > That after the tragedy, Markfield realised the danger of his love-letters to Mrs. Silverdale which were in her room at Heatherfield. That the Heatherfield murder followed as a sequel to this. After the bungalow murder, Markfield feared his love letters would be found, so he killed the maid and burgled Heatherfield. _This connects the two murders._ > Finally, there is the inscription in the ring which Mrs. Silverdale wore. Markfield has no initial B in his name; but the B might stand for some pet name which she used for him. The ring's 'B' could be a pet name Mrs. Silverdale used for Markfield. _This ties the ring to Markfield._ > The net result of it all is that there are strong grounds for suspicion against him, but no real proof that one could put confidently before a jury. Possibly he might be bluffed. I’ll try it. There is strong suspicion but not enough evidence for a conviction; Sir Clinton decides to try to bluff Markfield into confessing. _This sets up the final confrontation._ > We failed to hang Markfield, for the explosion killed him on the spot. Luckily, the effects were extraordinarily localised, and Flamborough and I got off alive, though badly damaged temporarily. Markfield died in an explosion before he could be tried; Sir Clinton and Flamborough survived with injuries. _The case ends with Markfield's death._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_case_with_nine_solutions_se/chapters/xix-excerpts-from-sir-clinton-s-notebook - 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