# XXII explained — The Clue of the Twisted Candle

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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