XV: Sir Clinton’s Double explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Deception and Secrecy

  An impostor impersonates Sir Clinton to search Avice Deepcar's house, highlighting the theme of deception.

• Justice and Vigilantism

  Mr. Justice takes self-appointed action by raiding the house, blurring the line between official and vigilante justice.

• Identity and Appearance

  The impostor's resemblance to Sir Clinton and the use of a single eyeglass underscore the theme of mistaken identity.

Characters to notice

• Sir Clinton Driffield

  Chief Constable who remains calm about Silverdale's arrest and deduces the impostor's identity.

• Inspector Flamborough

  Arrests Silverdale and is perplexed by the impersonation of Sir Clinton.

• Avice Deepcar

  Accuses Sir Clinton of searching her house; reveals an impostor impersonated him.

• Silverdale

  Arrested on suspicion of the bungalow murder; his alibi with Avice is questioned.

• Marple

  Avice's maid who witnessed the impostor and identified him by a single eyeglass.

• Justice

  Implied to be the impostor who raided Avice's house seeking evidence.

Key passages

• “I’ve arrested Silverdale this morning, sir.”

  Inspector Flamborough informs Sir Clinton that he has taken Silverdale into custody.

  Flamborough is uncertain whether Sir Clinton will approve of the arrest.

• “What is the meaning of your visiting my house last night, terrorising my maid, and making a search through my private papers?”

  Avice Deepcar confronts Sir Clinton, accusing him of an unauthorized search of her home.

  Avice is indignant and threatens to consult her solicitor.

• “He evidently found something which he thought worth taking away, at any rate.”

  Sir Clinton notes that the impostor took documents from Avice's house.

  This suggests Mr. Justice is gathering evidence against Silverdale and Avice.