# XVIII: A Hole in the Wall explained — The Circular Staircase

> Chapter companion for The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart.

## What happens

Rachel brings Mr. Jamieson to Sunnyside, causing tension with Gertrude and Halsey. A mysterious hole is discovered in the trunk-room wall, dug overnight despite Jamieson's watch. The hole leads nowhere, deepening the mystery. Louise recovers and sits on the veranda with Halsey, who grows moody. Halsey arranges for Anna Whitcomb to distract Rachel on the phone so he can speak privately with Louise.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Deception

Halsey secretly arranges a phone call to speak with Louise, and the mysterious hole suggests hidden activities within the house.

### The Supernatural and Rationality

Liddy believes the hole is ghostly, while Rachel and Jamieson seek rational explanations, highlighting the tension between superstition and logic.

## Character check-ins

### Rachel Innes

Rachel brings Mr. Jamieson to Sunnyside, investigates the hole in the trunk-room wall, and is distracted by a phone call from Anna Whitcomb.

### Mr. Jamieson

The detective arrives at Sunnyside, watches overnight, and examines the hole in the trunk-room wall, finding no clear explanation.

### Liddy Allen

Liddy discovers the hole in the trunk-room wall and insists the house is haunted, threatening to leave.

### Halsey Innes

Halsey dismisses the hole as old plaster, grows moody watching Louise, and arranges a phone call to speak with her privately.

### Gertrude Innes

Gertrude's manner toward Rachel becomes elusive after Jamieson's arrival; she goes to church on Sunday.

### Louise Armstrong

Louise recovers enough to sit on the veranda, but appears brooding and distant, causing Halsey concern.

## Key lines

> My taking the detective out to Sunnyside raised an unexpected storm of protest from Gertrude and Halsey.

Gertrude and Halsey strongly objected to Rachel bringing the detective to Sunnyside.

_Reveals the family's unease with official investigation._

> There is a hole in the trunk-room wall, dug out since last night. It’s big enough to put your head in, and the plaster’s all over the place.

Liddy reports a fresh hole in the trunk-room wall, large enough for a head, with plaster scattered around.

_Key discovery that deepens the mystery._

> He called her up, and asked her to keep you at the telephone, so he could talk to Miss Louise.

Liddy accuses Halsey of arranging a phone call to distract Rachel so he could speak privately with Louise.

_Illustrates Halsey's secretive behavior and his interest in Louise._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters/xviii-a-hole-in-the-wall
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_circular_staircase_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_circular_staircase_se/chapters