# The Police Return explained — The Charing Cross Mystery

> Chapter companion for The Charing Cross Mystery by J. S. Fletcher.

## What happens

Hetherwick learns the full story of how Mrs. Whittingham tricked Superintendent Hannaford and escaped with a diamond necklace. Hollis and Gandham confirm her identity from a photograph, and Malladale reveals that he was eventually paid for the necklace years later.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Deception

Mrs. Whittingham's entire persona is a deception; she uses aliases and clever tactics to evade capture.

### Greed and Materialism

The diamond necklace worth nearly £4,000 drives the crime and the subsequent investigation.

### Secrecy and the Past

The past events of Mrs. Whittingham's escape are slowly uncovered, and Malladale keeps a secret about being repaid.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Hetherwick

Investigates the past of Mrs. Whittingham, learns the details of her escape from Hannaford.

### Mr. Hollis

Accompanies Hetherwick, recounts the story of Mrs. Whittingham's escape, and introduces him to Gandham and Hudson.

### Gandham

Elderly detective who confirms the photograph is of Mrs. Whittingham and recalls her clever escape.

### Mr. Robert Hannaford

Mentioned as the superintendent who was tricked by Mrs. Whittingham; his soft-heartedness led to her escape.

### Mr. Malladale

Jeweller who sold the necklace to Mrs. Whittingham; reveals he was eventually paid for it years later.

### Mr. Hudson

Former hall-porter at the White Bear, now keeps a saloon-bar; mentioned as someone who remembers Mrs. Whittingham.

## Key lines

> She did Hannaford completely. He strove hard to find her, and did a great deal of the spadework himself. And at last he ran her down⁠—in a fashionable hotel in London.

Mrs. Whittingham outwitted Hannaford; after much effort, he finally located her at a luxury London hotel.

_Hollis recounts how Hannaford tracked down Mrs. Whittingham._

> Hannaford, finding that Mrs. Whittingham had a suite of rooms in this hotel⁠—a big West End place⁠—left his two men downstairs, or outside, and went up to see her alone.

Hannaford went alone to confront Mrs. Whittingham in her hotel suite, leaving his detectives outside.

_Details of Hannaford's approach to arrest Mrs. Whittingham._

> She went⁠—and that was the very last Hannaford ever saw of her!

Mrs. Whittingham escaped through a bedroom door while Hannaford waited, and he never saw her again.

_The moment of Mrs. Whittingham's escape from the hotel._

> I had no loss! Eventually, I made my profit, and⁠—er, something over.

Malladale reveals that he was eventually paid for the necklace, and even made a profit.

_Malladale's surprising disclosure about the financial outcome of the theft._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_charing_cross_mystery_se/chapters/v-the-police-return
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_charing_cross_mystery_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_charing_cross_mystery_se/chapters