# The Order in Writing explained — The Charing Cross Mystery

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

## What happens

Hetherwick meets Mapperley and his associate, Mr. Isidore Goldmark, who has been tailing Dr. Baseverie. Goldmark reports that Baseverie visited St. Mary's Mansions, where Madame Listorelle's flat is located, using a note purportedly from her to gain entry. Hetherwick and Mapperley later inspect the flat, finding a drawer open and notepaper with her engraved address. Mapperley secretly takes the note and envelope, believing it to be a key piece of evidence.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Deception

Baseverie uses a forged note purportedly from Madame Listorelle to gain entry to her flat, highlighting the theme of deception.

### Blackmail and Crime

Mapperley theorizes that Ambrose and Baseverie poisoned Hannaford and Granett to profit from secrets about Madame Listorelle and an invention, indicating a blackmail plot.

### Secrecy and the Past

The investigation into Baseverie's actions and the contents of Madame Listorelle's flat reveal hidden connections and past secrets.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Hetherwick

Receives news from Mapperley and Goldmark about Baseverie's movements; inspects Madame Listorelle's flat and takes samples of her notepaper.

### Mr. Mapperley

Brings his associate Goldmark to report on Baseverie; theorizes that Hannaford and Granett were poisoned by Ambrose and Baseverie; secretly takes the note from the caretaker.

### Mr. Isidore Goldmark

Mapperley's associate who followed Baseverie to St. Mary's Mansions and reports his observations to Hetherwick.

### Dr. Charles Ambrose

Implied to be involved in the poisoning plot; his flat in John Street is mentioned as a possible destination for Granett.

### Madame Listorelle

Her flat at St. Mary's Mansions was entered by Baseverie using a forged note; her notepaper and envelopes are found in the flat.

## Key lines

> He turned out o' Candlethtick Pathage into the Lane, and he had a drink at a bar there. Then he went to Trafalgar Square Tube.

Baseverie left Candlewick Passage, entered the Lane, stopped for a drink at a bar, and then proceeded to Trafalgar Square Tube station.

_Goldmark describes Baseverie's movements after leaving Vivian's._

> My own belief is that Hannaford was fatally poisoned when he left those two men the first time!

Mapperley believes that Hannaford was poisoned during his initial meeting with Ambrose and Baseverie.

_Mapperley presents his theory about the timing of the poisoning._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_charing_cross_mystery_se/chapters/xxi-the-order-in-writing
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_charing_cross_mystery_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_charing_cross_mystery_se/chapters