# XVI: Still More explained — The Charing Cross Mystery

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

## What happens

Blenkinsop reveals the full background of the blackmail plot targeting Lady Riversreade and her twin sister Madame Listorelle (formerly Mrs. Whittingham). He explains that Dr. Baseverie approached Lady Riversreade claiming to represent a gang demanding £30,000 to keep silent about the Sellithwaite affair. The detectives theorize that Baseverie is the gang's leader, that Hannaford was murdered after revealing he knew Madame Listorelle's identity, and that Granett was killed as a witness. A telegram arrives reporting that Baseverie has evaded their surveillance in Dover.

## Themes in this chapter

### Blackmail and Crime

The central plot revolves around Baseverie's attempt to blackmail Lady Riversreade and Madame Listorelle over the Sellithwaite affair, demanding £30,000 for silence.

### Secrecy and the Past

The sisters' hidden history—the tattoo, the Sellithwaite warrant, and Madame Listorelle's former identity—drives the blackmail and the murder investigation.

### Identity and Deception

The revelation that Lady Riversreade and Madame Listorelle are twin sisters, and that Madame Listorelle was formerly Mrs. Whittingham, underscores the theme of concealed identity.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Hetherwick

Listens intently as Blenkinsop reveals the blackmail plot and family history; has independently investigated the Sellithwaite affair.

### Mr. Matherfield

Reacting with surprise to the twin sister revelation; follows Blenkinsop's detailed explanation of the case.

### Blenkinsop

The solicitor who lays out the entire blackmail scheme, the family history of the Riversreade sisters, and the theory linking Baseverie to Hannaford's murder.

### Major Penteney

Present during the discussion; interjects to correct Blenkinsop's phrasing and confirms details about Lady Riversreade's consultation.

### Dr. Cyprian Baseverie

Identified as the go-between who approached Lady Riversreade for blackmail; suspected of being the gang's leader; evades surveillance in Dover.

### Lady Riversreade

Twin sister of Madame Listorelle; was approached by Baseverie and told to pay £30,000 to silence the blackmailers about the Sellithwaite affair.

## Key lines

> Baseverie told Lady Riversreade that the gang of blackmailers had in their possession the original warrant for Mrs. Whittingham’s arrest!

Baseverie revealed to Lady Riversreade that the blackmailers held the original arrest warrant for Mrs. Whittingham.

_This disclosure by Baseverie is a critical misstep that links the blackmailers directly to Hannaford's murder._

> Our theory is that if there is a gang Baseverie is an active, perhaps the leading, member; that Hannaford was previously acquainted with him or some other member; that Hannaford was with him or them on the evening preceding his death; that he jokingly told them that he had discovered the identity of Madame Listorelle with Mrs. Whittingham; and that they poisoned him—and Granett, as being present—in order to keep the secret to themselves and to blackmail Madame Listorelle and her sister, Lady Riversreade.

The detectives theorize that Baseverie is likely the gang's leader, that Hannaford met with them the night before his death and revealed he knew Madame Listorelle's true identity, and that he and Granett were poisoned to protect the blackmail secret.

_This summarizes the central murder theory linking Baseverie, Hannaford's death, and the blackmail plot._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_charing_cross_mystery_se/chapters/xvi-still-more
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_charing_cross_mystery_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_charing_cross_mystery_se/chapters