IX: The Will explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Wealth and Inheritance

  The reading of both wills reveals that Tom Willard and Elizabeth Morton are the primary beneficiaries, highlighting how financial gain provides motive in the murder investigation.

• Detection and Reasoning

  Fessenden applies detective logic by considering who benefits from Madeleine's death, though he quickly dismisses the suspects, and the coroner's inquest begins systematic questioning.

Characters to notice

• Rob Fessenden

  Observes the will reading and considers Tom Willard and Miss Morton as beneficiaries, but dismisses them as suspects; also reflects on his attraction to Kitty French.

• Madeleine Van Norman

  Deceased; her will is read, leaving the mansion and residuary fortune to Elizabeth Morton.

• Tom Willard

  Inherits Richard Van Norman's fortune due to Madeleine's death before marriage and age twenty-three.

• Elizabeth Morton

  Inherits the Van Norman house and residuary fortune under Madeleine's will; assumes an air of importance.

• Cicely Dupuy

  Testifies about her last conversation with Madeleine and becomes agitated when noting the absence of notes Madeleine intended to write.

Key passages

• “The first point, he thought to himself, in discovering a potential murderer, is to inquire who will be benefited by the victim's death.”

  Fessenden reasons that identifying who gains from the murder is a key step in finding the killer.

  Reflects Fessenden's detective reasoning and the theme of detection.

• “Apparently the only ones to profit by the passing of Madeleine Van Norman were Tom Willard and Miss Morton.”

  The only people who benefit from Madeleine's death are Tom Willard and Elizabeth Morton.

  Highlights the financial motive tied to the inheritance.