# III explained — The Clue of the Twisted Candle

> Chapter companion for The Clue of the Twisted Candle by Edgar Wallace.

## What happens

In the early hours after the shooting, John Lexman recounts the events to T. X. Meredith at Beston Priory. Lexman describes meeting Vassalaro, the confrontation, and the accidental shooting. T. X. notes the missing revolver and the suspicious burning of the threatening letter, realizing the evidence against Lexman is mounting. He interviews Grace Lexman, who reveals Kara's past proposal and her fear of him. T. X. and Mansus search the crime scene, finding only a cartridge. The chapter ends with Lexman being charged with murder.

## Themes in this chapter

### Justice and Injustice

The mounting circumstantial evidence against Lexman and the destruction of the threatening letter suggest a potential miscarriage of justice.

### Deception and Appearances

Grace's hidden past with Kara and the mysterious burning of the letter highlight how appearances can be deceiving.

### Mystery and Detection

T. X. investigates the missing revolver, the cartridge, and the unusual circumstances of the shooting, setting up a detective puzzle.

## Character check-ins

### John Lexman

Gives his account of the shooting, is visibly shaken and remorseful, and is later charged with murder.

### T. X. Meredith

Investigates the case, interviews Grace, searches the scene, and realizes the evidence against Lexman is heavily stacked.

### Grace Lexman

Reveals Kara's past proposal and her fear of him, expresses remorse for not telling John.

### Superintendent Mansus

Assists T. X. in the investigation, searches the crime scene and finds a cartridge.

### Mr. Kara

Mentioned as the man who introduced Lexman to Vassalaro and who once proposed to Grace; his warning to Lexman is recalled.

### Mr. Vassalaro

The victim, described as agitated and brandishing a revolver before being shot by Lexman.

## Key lines

> The evidence against Mr. Lexman is very heavy... Our only chance is to find the Greek’s revolver

T. X. acknowledges the strong case against Lexman and pins hope on finding the victim's missing revolver.

_Highlights the pivotal missing evidence._

> I think there are one or two things I ought to tell you... they concern Mr. Kara

Grace hints at a secret involving Kara, which she later reveals to T. X.

_Foreshadows Kara's role in the plot._

> This drawer feels very hot... the whole contents burst up in a quick blaze of flame

The threatening letter self-destructs when the drawer is opened, destroying key evidence.

_Shows the deliberate destruction of evidence against Lexman._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_of_the_twisted_candle_se/chapters/iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_of_the_twisted_candle_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_of_the_twisted_candle_se/chapters