The Charing Cross Mystery · Chapter
IX: The Medicine Bottle explained
Hetherwick and Matherfield discuss the poisoning of Granett, which mirrors Hannaford's death.
What happens
Hetherwick and Matherfield discuss the poisoning of Granett, which mirrors Hannaford's death. Matherfield discovers a medicine bottle and glass in Granett's room, which he believes to be a clue. Hetherwick reveals his investigation into Lady Riversreade and his plan to have Rhona Hannaford go undercover as her secretary. After weeks, Matherfield traces a five-pound note to a night club, and Rhona reports nothing suspicious from Riversreade Court.
Themes in this chapter
Murder and Mystery
The chapter focuses on the investigation into the poisonings of Hannaford and Granett, with new clues emerging.
Identity and Deception
Rhona goes undercover as Miss Featherstone, and the true identity of Lady Riversreade is questioned.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Hetherwick
Investigates the poisonings and coordinates with Matherfield; arranges for Rhona to spy on Lady Riversreade.
- Mr. Matherfield
Discovers the medicine bottle clue and traces a five-pound note to Vivian's night club.
- Rhona Hannaford
Goes undercover as Miss Featherstone at Riversreade Court; reports no suspicious activity.
- Lady Riversreade
Subject of investigation; hires Rhona as secretary for her Home.
- James Granett
Confirmed poisoned; his death is linked to Hannaford's.
Key passages
“That Granett's sudden death had followed on Hannaford's seemed to him a sure proof that there was more behind this mystery than anybody had so far conceived of.”
Hetherwick believed the two deaths were connected and part of a larger mystery.
Hetherwick's conviction that the poisonings are linked.
“Let me get that hiatus filled up with the name and address of the chemist, and I'll soon find out who C. A. blank, Esquire, is!”
Matherfield is determined to identify the chemist who supplied the bottle to find the person with initials C. A.
Matherfield's plan to trace the medicine bottle.
“I'm so certain that somehow or other, perhaps innocently, she's connected with this affair, that we mustn't lose any chance.”
Hetherwick believes Lady Riversreade is involved in the mystery, even if unknowingly.
Hetherwick's suspicion of Lady Riversreade.