The Charing Cross Mystery · Chapter
Alias Madame Listorelle explained
Matherfield pursues Lady Riversreade early in the morning, leaving Hetherwick behind.
What happens
Matherfield pursues Lady Riversreade early in the morning, leaving Hetherwick behind. Hetherwick later learns from his clerk Mapperley that Dr. Baseverie was seen with a woman at Vivian's and that Hannaford had been there with Baseverie before his death. Hetherwick then visits the lodging-house keeper near the flats and discovers that Lady Riversreade rents a flat under the alias Madame Listorelle.
Themes in this chapter
Identity and Deception
Lady Riversreade assumes the alias Madame Listorelle to maintain a secret flat, highlighting the theme of hidden identities.
Secrecy and the Past
The discovery of Lady Riversreade's secret flat and her connection to Baseverie and Hannaford reveals layers of concealed history.
Justice and Investigation
Hetherwick and Matherfield's detective work, including surveillance and gathering witness information, drives the investigation forward.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Hetherwick
Hetherwick coordinates the investigation, questions the lodging-house keeper, and learns Lady Riversreade's alias.
- Mr. Matherfield
Matherfield pursues Lady Riversreade alone after spotting her from the window.
- Lady Riversreade
Lady Riversreade is seen leaving the flats early in the morning and is later identified as the tenant of flat twenty-six under the name Madame Listorelle.
- Mr. Mapperley
Mapperley reports to Hetherwick that he saw Baseverie talking with a woman at Vivian's and that Hannaford had been there with Baseverie.
- Dr. Cyprian Baseverie
Baseverie is reported to have been seen at Vivian's in conversation with Lady Riversreade and earlier with Hannaford.
- Madame Listorelle
Madame Listorelle is revealed to be the alias used by Lady Riversreade for her flat in Paddington.
Key passages
“The woman thus observed marched swiftly away down the deserted street in the direction of the Town Hall at the corner, and Matherfield, after one more searching look at her, dropped the slat of the Venetian blind through which he had been peeping, and turned on his companion.”
Matherfield saw the woman hurry off and immediately stopped watching through the blind to speak to Hetherwick.
Matherfield's decisive action after spotting Lady Riversreade.
“I’m off after her! I’ll run her down! I’m used to that sort of thing. You go to your chambers and get some sleep.”
Matherfield insists on pursuing the woman alone, telling Hetherwick to rest.
Matherfield takes charge of the pursuit.
“The lady’s name is Madame Listorelle. Here, I got him to write it down on a bit o’ paper, not being used to foreign names. He thinks she’s something to do with the stage.”
The lodging-house keeper reports that the woman is known as Madame Listorelle and is thought to be an actress.
Revelation of Lady Riversreade's alias.