The Circular Staircase · Chapter
XXIII: While the Stables Burned explained
Liddy reports seeing two men near the stable, prompting Rachel to hire Sam Bohannon to watch the house.
What happens
Liddy reports seeing two men near the stable, prompting Rachel to hire Sam Bohannon to watch the house. That night, the stable catches fire, drawing attention away from the house. Rachel suspects the fire is a diversion and investigates the unguarded east entry, where she hears someone trying to unlock the door. She barricades it with a chair and fires a revolver through the door, wounding an intruder. The stable burns down, and a search of the house finds no one, but evidence confirms an attempted break-in.
Themes in this chapter
Secrecy and Deception
The stable fire is used as a diversion to mask an attempted break-in, highlighting the deceptive tactics of the intruders.
Isolation and Vulnerability
Despite precautions, the household remains vulnerable, with the fire drawing attention away from the unguarded east entry, emphasizing their isolation.
Characters to notice
- Rachel Innes
Rachel takes charge during the fire, investigates the east entry, and fires a revolver at an intruder, showing her courage and resourcefulness.
- Liddy Allen
Liddy reports the men near the stable, threatens to leave, but later assists Rachel by bringing a revolver and raising the alarm.
- Gertrude Innes
Gertrude remains calm during the fire, telephones for help, and later tries to locate the source of gunshots.
- Halsey Innes
Halsey organizes the watch with Sam Bohannon, responds to the fire, and later searches the house for the intruder.
- Alexander Graham
Alex assists Halsey in arranging the watch and helps search the house after the fire.
- Sam Bohannon
Sam is hired to watch the house and raises the alarm when the stable catches fire.
Key passages
““Fire!” he yelled. “The stable’s on fire!””
Sam Bohannon shouts that the stable is burning.
This marks the discovery of the fire that serves as a diversion.
“I had gone berserk, I think. I leaned over the stair-rail and fired again.”
Rachel loses control and fires her revolver from the staircase.
Rachel's extreme reaction underscores the tension and her determination to protect the house.