The Circular Staircase · Chapter
XVI: In the Early Morning explained
In the early morning hours, Louise Armstrong disappears from her room and is found unconscious at the foot of the circular staircase, echoing the discovery of her brother's body.
What happens
In the early morning hours, Louise Armstrong disappears from her room and is found unconscious at the foot of the circular staircase, echoing the discovery of her brother's body. She recounts hearing a rapping at the east entrance, believing it to be Arnold, and descending to let him in, only to encounter someone on the stairs and faint. The next day, Rachel Innes decides to have Alex the gardener sleep in the east wing for security, and she and Halsey examine the staircase and entry, finding a billiard cue that had fallen. Later, Rachel, Gertrude, and Halsey attend the coroner's inquest, choosing to conceal Louise's secret meeting with Arnold.
Themes in this chapter
Secrecy and Deception
Rachel and her family decide to conceal Louise's secret meeting with Arnold from the inquest, highlighting ongoing concealment of key information.
Isolation and Vulnerability
Louise's solitary descent in the dark, the vulnerability of the house with only one man, and the recurring sense of danger emphasize the theme.
The Supernatural and Rationality
Liddy's ghost hypothesis and the billiard cue as a possible ghostly weapon contrast with Halsey's rational examination for a secret door.
Characters to notice
- Louise Armstrong
Found unconscious at the foot of the circular staircase after hearing rapping and descending to let in who she thought was Arnold; recounts her experience.
- Rachel Innes
Discovers Louise missing, helps revive her, decides to move Alex into the east wing, and attends the inquest.
- Halsey Innes
Runs to the staircase, finds Louise, examines the circular staircase and entry with Rachel, and takes notes on a scrap of paper.
- Gertrude Innes
Runs to Rachel after the scream, helps with Louise, and attends the inquest.
- Liddy Allen
Brings a light, runs for stimulants, and is mentioned as having brought Louise hot milk earlier.
- Alexander Graham
Moved to sleep in the east wing for security after the night's events.
Key passages
“If it was Arnold, I knew I must see him. “It was very dark everywhere, but, of course, I knew my way. I felt along for the stair-rail, and went down as quickly as I could. The knocking had stopped, and I was afraid I was too late. I got to the foot of the staircase and over to the door on to the east veranda. I had never thought of anything but that it was Arnold, until I reached the door.”
Louise explains that she felt compelled to go downstairs in the dark, believing the knocking was Arnold, and moved quickly to the east veranda door, only to realize her mistake.
Louise's account of her motivation and actions during the incident.
“That afternoon we, Gertrude, Halsey and I, attended the coroner’s inquest in town. Doctor Stewart had been summoned also, it transpiring that in that early Sunday morning, when Gertrude and I had gone to our rooms, he had been called to view the body.”
Rachel, Gertrude, and Halsey go to the coroner's inquest, where they learn Doctor Stewart had been called to examine the body earlier.
The family attends the official inquiry into Arnold's death.