# Is It Blackmail? explained — The Charing Cross Mystery

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

## What happens

Hetherwick and Matherfield meet Rhona in Dorking to discuss the mysterious woman Matherfield followed to Southampton. Rhona insists Lady Riversreade was at Riversreade Court at the time, leading to confusion about a possible double. Hetherwick reveals the woman is known as Madame Listorelle, who keeps a flat in St. Mary's Mansions. Rhona then recounts a confrontation at the Home where Major Penteney, armed with a revolver, expelled Dr. Baseverie after a tense private meeting, hinting at blackmail.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Deception

The chapter revolves around the confusion over Lady Riversreade's identity, the use of the alias Madame Listorelle, and the possibility of a double.

### Blackmail and Crime

Dr. Baseverie's implied threat 'knowing what I know' and Major Penteney's armed confrontation strongly suggest blackmail.

### Secrecy and the Past

The mysterious woman's hidden flat and Baseverie's secret knowledge point to concealed past events driving the plot.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Hetherwick

Investigates the identity of the woman from St. Mary's Mansions and learns she is known as Madame Listorelle.

### Mr. Matherfield

Perplexed after following a woman he believed to be Lady Riversreade to Southampton, only to learn she was at Riversreade Court.

### Rhona Hannaford

Confirms Lady Riversreade's whereabouts and recounts the confrontation between Major Penteney and Dr. Baseverie.

### Dr. Cyprian Baseverie

Visits the Home expecting to see Lady Riversreade but is instead confronted by Major Penteney and expelled.

### Major Penteney

Arranges a private meeting with Dr. Baseverie, threatens him with a revolver, and orders him never to return.

### Madame Listorelle

Identified as the woman living in St. Mary's Mansions; believed to be an alias possibly used by Lady Riversreade.

## Key lines

> Then who on earth is that woman that I followed to Southampton?

Matherfield expresses bewilderment about the identity of the woman he tracked to Southampton.

_Highlights the central mystery of the chapter regarding mistaken identity._

> What—you defy me, knowing what I know—knowing what I know!

Baseverie threatens Penteney by implying he possesses damaging secret information.

_Reveals the blackmail element and Baseverie's leverage._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_charing_cross_mystery_se/chapters/xiv-is-it-blackmail
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_charing_cross_mystery_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_charing_cross_mystery_se/chapters