The Charing Cross Mystery · Chapter
Black Velvet explained
Hetherwick identifies Lady Riversreade as the woman in the photograph and learns she is a wealthy widow.
What happens
Hetherwick identifies Lady Riversreade as the woman in the photograph and learns she is a wealthy widow. He and Rhona Hannaford devise a plan for her to go undercover as Miss Featherstone to investigate Lady Riversreade. Rhona secures the secretary position and confirms Lady Riversreade wears a black velvet band on her right wrist, matching the description of Mrs. Whittingham. The chapter ends with news that the police have found the man who was with Rhona's grandfather in the train, and he is dead.
Themes in this chapter
Identity and Deception
Rhona assumes the alias Miss Featherstone to infiltrate Lady Riversreade's household, and the chapter explores the possibility that Lady Riversreade is actually Mrs. Whittingham.
Secrecy and the Past
The past of Lady Riversreade as Mrs. Whittingham and her connection to the Sellithwaite jewel theft is uncovered, linking to the mystery of Hannaford's murder.
Justice and Investigation
Hetherwick and Rhona conduct a covert investigation, using observation and deception to gather evidence about Lady Riversreade.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Hetherwick
Investigates the photograph, identifies Lady Riversreade, and orchestrates Rhona's undercover mission.
- Rhona Hannaford
Agrees to go undercover as Miss Featherstone, interviews at Riversreade Court, and confirms Lady Riversreade wears a black velvet wristband.
- Lady Riversreade
Identified as the woman in the photograph; wealthy widow of Sir John Riversreade; wears a black velvet band on her right wrist, linking her to Mrs. Whittingham.
- Boxley
Club member who provides Hetherwick with background information on Lady Riversreade.
- Mr. Mapperley
Hetherwick's clerk who relays news about the police finding the man who was with Hannaford in the train.
Key passages
““You want to know who is the original of this?” he said. “Certainly! Lady Riversreade, of Riversreade Court, near Dorking.””
The photographer identifies the woman in the picture as Lady Riversreade.
Hetherwick learns the identity of the woman in the photograph.
““One of the richest women in England!” replied Boxley promptly. “Worth a couple of millions or so.””
Boxley describes Lady Riversreade as one of the wealthiest women in England.
Boxley provides background on Lady Riversreade's wealth and status.
““She wears a broad black velvet band on her right wrist, and on the outer face is a small cameo. How’s that?””
Rhona reports that Lady Riversreade wears a black velvet wristband with a cameo, matching the description of Mrs. Whittingham.
Confirmation of the identifying mark linking Lady Riversreade to the past crime.
““Here’s a new development!” he said, bending across the table and whispering. “The police have found the man who was with your grandfather in the train! Matherfield wants me to identify him. And you’ll gather from that that they’ve found him dead!””
Hetherwick tells Rhona that the police have found the man who accompanied her grandfather, and he is dead.
A major plot development: the mystery man is found dead.