The Clue · Chapter
VI: Fessenden Comes explained
Rob Fessenden arrives at the Van Norman house on the morning of the intended wedding, only to learn of Madeleine's death.
What happens
Rob Fessenden arrives at the Van Norman house on the morning of the intended wedding, only to learn of Madeleine's death. He meets Kitty French, who insists Madeleine did not commit suicide, and Fessenden offers his amateur detective services. The chapter introduces the coroner's impending inquest, the arrival of Schuyler Carleton and Tom Willard, and Fessenden's growing involvement in the investigation.
Themes in this chapter
Appearance vs. Reality
Kitty French insists that the appearance of suicide is false, believing Madeleine was murdered despite initial claims.
Jealousy and Motive
Kitty suggests Tom Willard was more in love with Madeleine than Carleton, hinting at possible jealousy or motive.
Characters to notice
- Rob Fessenden
Arrives at the Van Norman house, learns of Madeleine's death, and offers his help as an amateur detective.
- Kitty French
Convinced Madeleine did not kill herself; persuades Fessenden to help prove it.
- Cicely Dupuy
Greets Fessenden and informs him of the tragedy.
- Elizabeth Morton
Enters excitedly to announce the coroner has been summoned.
- Schuyler Carleton
Arrives looking aged and grief-stricken; Fessenden notes his condition.
- Tom Willard
Arrives with Carleton; Kitty defends his character and suggests he was in love with Madeleine.
Key passages
“to comfort and help the poor little girl thrown thus suddenly into the first tragedy of her life.”
Fessenden felt a strong urge to console Kitty, who was experiencing her first major tragedy.
Fessenden's protective instinct toward Kitty is established.
“I will help you, Miss French,” he said gravely. “I know little of the details of the case, but if there is the slightest chance that you may be right, rest assured that you shall be given every chance to prove it.”
Fessenden promises to assist Kitty in proving Madeleine did not commit suicide, despite his limited knowledge.
Fessenden commits to the investigation based on Kitty's conviction.
“I may not be ‘everything like that,’ ” said Fessenden, with a faint smile, “but I am a sort of detective in an amateur way.”
Fessenden modestly describes himself as an amateur detective.
Fessenden introduces his detective role.
“It must have been a burglar,” went on Kitty, “because it couldn’t have been anyone else. But why didn’t he steal things? Perhaps he did! We never thought to look!””
Kitty speculates that a burglar might be responsible for Madeleine's death.
Kitty's initial theory about the murder.
“Mr. Carleton, never a robust man, looked like a wreck of his former self. Years had been added to his apparent age; his impassive face wore a look of stony grief, and his dark eyes seemed filled with an unutterable horror.”
Carleton appeared aged and deeply traumatized by the events.
Description of Carleton's grief-stricken appearance.
“Tom hasn’t a greedy hair in his head, and I don’t believe he has even thought of his fortune. And, besides, he was desperately in love with Madeleine. A whole heap more in love than Mr. Carleton was.”
Kitty defends Tom Willard, claiming he loved Madeleine more than Carleton did and is not motivated by money.
Kitty's insight into Tom's feelings and character.
