# XVI explained — The Clue of the Twisted Candle

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

## What happens

T. X. Meredith confronts Belinda Mary Bartholomew about her involvement in Kara's murder, showing her the bloody scissors and handkerchief found at the scene. She admits to killing a dog in self-defense but denies knowledge of Kara's death. After securing her promise to meet him when summoned, he lets her go. Later, Belinda Mary returns to her father's house to retrieve her mother's snuffbox, only to find T. X. waiting for her there.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mystery and Detection

T. X. pieces together clues from the scissors, handkerchief, and Belinda Mary's evasive answers, revealing gaps in her story.

### Deception and Appearances

Belinda Mary conceals the full truth of her time in the cellar, and T. X. pretends to accept her incomplete account while knowing more.

### Fear and Control

Belinda Mary's terror of Kara and her relief at escaping his control drive her actions; T. X. uses gentle authority to secure her compliance.

## Character check-ins

### Belinda Mary Bartholomew

Confronted by T. X. about the scissors; admits to killing Kara's dog but hides details of her escape. Later retrieves her mother's snuffbox from home.

### T. X. Meredith

Interrogates Belinda Mary, shows her the bloody evidence, secures her promise to meet on demand, and later surprises her at her father's house.

### Mr. Kara

Mentioned as having been murdered; Belinda Mary expresses fear of him and recalls being imprisoned in his cellar.

### Lady Bartholomew

Mentioned as being in good health and returning home; her snuffbox is the object Belinda Mary retrieves.

### Sir William Bartholomew

Belinda Mary's father; his loquacious newspaper advertisement led T. X. to her.

## Key lines

> I did kill something,” she said in a low voice, “an awful dog⁠ ⁠… I don’t know how I did it, but the beastly thing jumped at me and I just stabbed him and killed him, and I am glad,” she nodded many times and repeated, “I am glad.”

Belinda Mary admits to stabbing Kara's dog in self-defense, expressing no remorse.

_Confession of the dog killing, linking to the bloody scissors._

> I think,” she suggested gently, “you had better arrest me.” “Don’t be silly,” he begged. She stared at him in amazement.

Belinda Mary expects arrest, but T. X. dismisses the idea, surprising her.

_T. X. shows leniency, indicating he does not believe she murdered Kara._

> Promise me that, if I put an advertisement in the agonies of either an evening paper which I will name or in the Morning Post , you will keep the appointment I fix, if it is humanly possible.” She hesitated a moment, then held out her hand. “I promise,” she said.

T. X. makes Belinda Mary promise to meet him whenever he advertises, and she agrees.

_Establishes a secret communication method between them._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_of_the_twisted_candle_se/chapters/xvi
- 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