XX: Converging Tracks explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Blackmail and Crime

  Lord Morradale's theory of a jewel heist and kidnapping highlights the criminal underworld's methods.

• Identity and Deception

  The kidnappers may have mistaken Madame Listorelle for Lady Riversreade, and Ambrose's identity remains a mystery.

• Justice and Investigation

  Matherfield and Hetherwick pursue leads, including the Green Archer tip and the Safe Deposit plan, to solve the case.

Characters to notice

• Mr. Hetherwick

  Returns to Matherfield's headquarters with Penteney, reports the kidnapping, and accompanies Matherfield to the Green Archer Tavern.

• Mr. Matherfield

  Receives Hetherwick and Penteney, shares news of a lead on Ambrose from the Green Archer landlord, and discusses Lord Morradale's theory about the kidnapping.

• Lord Morradale

  Visits Matherfield's office, reveals his engagement to Madame Listorelle, and proposes that the kidnapping is motivated by a jewel heist involving the Imperial Safe Deposit.

• Madame Listorelle

  Reported kidnapped along with Miss Featherstone; Lord Morradale suggests she was targeted for her jewel dealings.

• Miss Featherstone

  Kidnapped alongside Madame Listorelle from Riversreade Court.

• Major Penteney

  Accompanies Hetherwick to Matherfield's office but leaves to check for news from Lady Riversreade.

• Dr. Charles Ambrose

  Matherfield has a lead on him from the Green Archer landlord; suspected of involvement in the kidnapping.

• Lady Riversreade

  Mentioned as the sister of Madame Listorelle; her secretary was kidnapped.

Key passages

• “Lord Morradale gave the two men a confidential glance. “This way,” he replied. “The jewels were deposited, for safety, by Madame Listorelle at the Imperial Safe Deposit. She rents a safe there. Now, don’t you see what I’m suggesting? These men may force her to give them the necessary key and a signed order to the safe people to let the bearer open madame’s safe and take away a certain case in which the jewels are packed.””

  Lord Morradale suggests the kidnappers will force Madame Listorelle to provide access to her safe deposit box at the Imperial Safe Deposit to steal the jewels.

  Lord Morradale outlines his theory about the kidnappers' plan to retrieve the jewels.

• “Matherfield tapped the printed bill which lay on his desk. “I had that circulated broadcast this morning,” he answered. “And then, of course, the newspapers have helped. Well, not so very long before you came in, I was called to the telephone by a man named Killiner, who told me he was the landlord of the Green Archer Tavern, in Wood Street, Westminster.””

  Matherfield explains that a landlord named Killiner from the Green Archer Tavern contacted him with information about the missing man Ambrose.

  Matherfield shares the new lead on Ambrose's whereabouts.