# Samples of Ink explained — The Charing Cross Mystery

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

## What happens

Hetherwick, accompanied by Hollis and the analytical chemist Collison, visits Hannaford's old laboratory in Sellithwaite. There, Collison deduces that Hannaford was attempting to invent a superior writing-ink, a potentially valuable commercial secret. Hetherwick also learns that the woman Hannaford mentioned in the train is a former adventuress, Mrs. Whittingham, still liable for past crimes. These discoveries reinforce Hetherwick's suspicion that Hannaford's death may be linked to his invention.

## Themes in this chapter

### Greed and Materialism

The potential fortune from Hannaford's ink invention drives suspicion that he was murdered for it.

### Secrecy and the Past

Hetherwick uncovers Hannaford's secret experiments and the hidden history of Mrs. Whittingham.

### Justice and Investigation

Hetherwick's methodical investigation of the laboratory and his deductions about the invention and the woman.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Hetherwick

Leads the investigation, visits the laboratory, and pieces together clues about Hannaford's invention and the mysterious woman.

### Mr. Hollis

Local contact who arranges the visit to the laboratory and introduces Hetherwick to Collison.

### Collison

Analytical chemist who examines the laboratory and identifies that Hannaford was working on a new writing-ink formula.

### Mr. Robert Hannaford

Deceased; his laboratory and past experiments are the focus of the chapter.

### Rhona Hannaford

Mentioned as the source of information about the invention's value and the sealed packet.

### Mrs. Whittingham

Identified as the woman from Hannaford's past, an adventuress still liable for fraud.

## Key lines

> the jeweller whom she had defrauded, was still liable to arrest, conviction, and punishment⁠—if she could be found.

The woman who cheated the jeweler could still be arrested and punished if located.

_Hetherwick learns of Mrs. Whittingham's criminal liability._

> It’s very easy to see what Hannaford was after! He’s been trying to evolve a new ink!

Collison quickly determines that Hannaford was attempting to create a new type of ink.

_Collison identifies the focus of Hannaford's experiments._

> If Hannaford thought he could make one, and succeeded, well, I’d be glad to have his formula! Money in it!

If Hannaford succeeded in creating a perfect ink, his formula would be extremely valuable.

_Collison confirms the commercial potential of the invention._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_charing_cross_mystery_se/chapters/vi-samples-of-ink
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_charing_cross_mystery_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_charing_cross_mystery_se/chapters