# III: A Cry in the Night explained — The Clue > Chapter companion for The Clue by Carolyn Wells. ## What happens A cry rings through the Van Norman house, and Cicely Dupuy rushes downstairs to find Schuyler Carleton frantically ringing bells. Madeleine Van Norman is discovered dead in the library, stabbed with a Venetian dagger, a suicide note beside her. Doctor Hills arrives, examines the scene, and questions the household. Carleton describes finding the body and the dagger on the floor. A note in Madeleine's handwriting suggests suicide, though the doctor notes the wound seems difficult to self-inflict. The county physician is summoned, and the ladies are advised to retire, though Mrs. Markham and Cicely remain. Carleton appears deeply shaken and avoids meeting others' eyes. ## Themes in this chapter ### Appearance vs. Reality The suicide note appears genuine, but Doctor Hills doubts the wound could be self-inflicted, suggesting the scene may be staged. ### Secrecy and Confession Carleton's evasive behavior and the tension between characters hint at hidden knowledge and unspoken confessions. ### Detection and Reasoning Doctor Hills begins investigating the scene, questioning inconsistencies and summoning the county physician, initiating the formal inquiry. ## Character check-ins ### Cicely Dupuy First to respond to the cry; stares intently at Carleton and later at the suicide note, showing bewilderment and suspicion. ### Schuyler Carleton Discovers the body; gives a shaky account of finding Madeleine, the dagger on the floor, and the note; appears at the limit of endurance and avoids eye contact with others. ### Madeleine Van Norman Found dead in the library, stabbed with a Venetian dagger; a suicide note in her handwriting is present. ### Doctor Hills Examines the body and scene; questions the household; notes the difficulty of self-inflicting the wound; summons the county physician. ### Mrs. Markham Identifies Madeleine's handwriting on the note; insists on staying with the body despite the doctor's advice. ### Elizabeth Morton Confirms the handwriting is Madeleine's; takes charge by telephoning for a doctor and preventing Mrs. Markham from touching the body. ## Key lines > Help! A single cry of 'Help!' rings through the house, alerting everyone to the tragedy. _The cry signals the discovery of Madeleine's body and sets the chapter's events in motion._ > I came in with a latchkey, and found her here, just as you see her now. Carleton explains that he entered using his own key and discovered Madeleine exactly as she is now. _Carleton's account of finding the body is central to the investigation._ > It was on the floor at her feet—right at her feet. I picked it up, and there was blood on it—there is blood on it—and I laid it on the table. Carleton states the dagger was on the floor near Madeleine's feet; he picked it up and placed it on the table. _The position of the dagger is a key detail that may affect the suicide or murder determination._ > Although it is difficult to believe a stab of that nature could be self-inflicted, it is possible, and this communication seems to leave no room for doubt. Doctor Hills admits the wound seems unlikely to be self-inflicted but acknowledges the suicide note makes it plausible. _The doctor's doubt introduces the central mystery of whether Madeleine's death was suicide or murder._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/iii-a-cry-in-the-night - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_se/chapters