The Cloven Foot · Chapter
XXXVI: Kergariou's Wife explained
John Treverton learns from Father le Mescam that La Chicot was originally Marie Pomellec, who married Jean Kergariou in Auray.
What happens
John Treverton learns from Father le Mescam that La Chicot was originally Marie Pomellec, who married Jean Kergariou in Auray. Kergariou died in a Paris accident three years prior, confirming that John's marriage to Laura is valid. John sends a telegram to Laura with good news and prepares to travel to Paris with Sampson to obtain legal proof.
Themes in this chapter
Secrets and Deception
John uncovers the hidden marriage of La Chicot to Kergariou, resolving the secret of his own marital validity.
Inheritance and Legitimacy
The discovery that John's second marriage is valid secures his claim to Jasper Treverton's estate without fraud.
Characters to notice
- John Treverton
Discovers that La Chicot was married to Jean Kergariou, confirming his second marriage is valid; sends a telegram to Laura.
- Father le Mescam
Provides detailed history of Marie Pomellec's marriage to Jean Kergariou and confirms Kergariou's death.
- Thomas Sampson
Exults in his correct guess about a previous husband; accompanies John to Paris for legal evidence.
- Laura Malcolm
Receives a telegram from John with good news.
- Marie Pomellec
Revealed as La Chicot; married Jean Kergariou in Auray before leaving for Paris.
- Kergariou
Jean Kergariou, Marie's husband, died in a wagon accident in Paris three years ago.
Key passages
“poor creature seems to have been murdered by the man with whom she was living—possibly her husband.”
The priest suggests La Chicot was killed by her partner, likely her husband.
John fears this assumption will implicate him.
“I could tell you the year of poor Kergariou's death.”
Father le Mescam can provide the year Kergariou died.
Key to confirming John's innocence.
“He was killed—run over by a wagon, on the Boulevard St. Denis, in Paris.”
Kergariou died in a wagon accident on a Paris boulevard.
Links to the Morgue scene and John's memory.