The Clue of the Twisted Candle · Chapter
XXII explained
John Lexman continues his narrative, describing his imprisonment under the brutal Salvolio, his rescue by a Turkish merchant and his daughter, and his eventual confrontation with Kara.
What happens
John Lexman continues his narrative, describing his imprisonment under the brutal Salvolio, his rescue by a Turkish merchant and his daughter, and his eventual confrontation with Kara. He details how he killed Kara in his bedroom, set up an alibi using candles and a paper-knife, and narrowly avoided detection.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Punishment
Lexman's murder of Kara is a calculated act of vengeance, while Salvolio's death is a brutal but just punishment for his cruelty.
Deception and Appearances
Lexman uses a false arm disguise and a candle-based alibi to conceal his crime and create a mystery.
Redemption and Escape
Lexman's escape from the dungeon and his eventual confrontation with Kara represent a quest for freedom and redemption.
Characters to notice
- John Lexman
Narrates his escape from Salvolio and his murder of Kara.
- Mr. Kara
Kara is absent during Salvolio's abuse but is later confronted and killed by Lexman.
- Salvolio
Brutal jailer who abuses Lexman and is killed by the Turkish merchant.
- The Tall Turk
Rescues Lexman from the dungeon, kills Salvolio, and helps him escape to Durazzo.
- T. X. Meredith
Present during Lexman's narrative, listening intently.
- Fred Fisher
Mentioned as the man Lexman warns and later converses with to establish his alibi.
Key passages
“He was a quick man with his knife and I have seen him kill one of the guards whom he had thought was favouring me in the matter of diet with less compunction than you would kill a rat.”
Salvolio was a ruthless killer who murdered a guard for showing me kindness without any remorse.
Lexman describes Salvolio's brutality.
“The old Turk took one stride forward, encircled his body with his left arm, and there they stood grotesquely like a couple who were going to start to waltz.”
The Turk grabbed Salvolio in a tight embrace, making them look like dance partners.
Lexman's vivid description of the Turk's attack.
“I flung him back on the bed and half knelt, half laid on him.”
I threw Kara onto the bed and pinned him down with my body.
Lexman describes overpowering Kara.
“I was hoping that Fisher had taken my warning and had gone. When I opened the door softly, I heard his footsteps in the hall below.”
I hoped Fisher had heeded my warning and left, but I heard him still in the hallway.
Lexman's concern about Fisher's presence during his alibi.