# VII: Mr. Benson’s Questions explained — The Clue

> Chapter companion for The Clue by Carolyn Wells.

## What happens

Coroner Benson conducts a formal inquest into Madeleine Van Norman's death, questioning the possibility of suicide due to the lack of blood on her hands. He presents the written note as evidence, and various witnesses offer their perspectives. Schuyler Carleton denies understanding the note, while Kitty French and Mrs. Markham affirm Madeleine's despair. Cicely Dupuy suffers hysterics and is removed. The inquest reveals tensions and hidden fears among the attendees.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance vs. Reality

The contrast between Carleton's claimed love and the suicide note's implication, and Miss Morton's assumed calm versus her visible trembling, highlight the theme of hidden truths.

### Detection and Reasoning

The inquest focuses on logical deduction from physical evidence (bloodstains on the dagger vs. clean hands) and the interpretation of the written note.

### Secrecy and Confession

The suicide note serves as a confession, yet its meaning is secret to many; characters hold back knowledge, and the coroner seeks to uncover hidden facts.

## Character check-ins

### Schuyler Carleton

Denies understanding the suicide note, claims mutual love with Madeleine, shows extreme distress and white-faced horror.

### Rob Fessenden

Offers a theory about the bloodstains on the dagger, observes the reactions of others, exchanges nods with Kitty French.

### Kitty French

Examines the dagger, asserts that Madeleine meant every word of the note, shows anxious interest.

### Cicely Dupuy

Flies into violent hysterics upon hearing the coroner's statements and is taken from the room.

### Elizabeth Morton

Sits bolt upright with assumed placidity but is observed trembling, suggesting suppressed fear or terror.

### Molly Gardner

Pale and wan, dreads the scene, clutches at Kitty's sleeve, desires to leave Mapleton.

## Key lines

> Miss Van Norman was my affianced wife. We were to have been married today. Those two facts, I think, prove the existence of our mutual love. The paper is to me inexplicable.

Carleton insists that his engagement to Madeleine and their planned wedding demonstrate their love, and he cannot explain the suicide note.

_Carleton's defense against the note's implication._

> I think, Coroner Benson, we are missing the point. If Miss Van Norman took her life in fulfilment of her own decision, the reasons that brought about that decision are not a matter for our consideration.

Doctor Hills argues that the inquest should focus on whether the death was suicide, not on the motives behind it.

_Doctor Hills redirects the inquiry to the physical evidence._

> It is inconceivable that she could have removed such a trace, had there been any, and it is highly improbable, if not indeed impossible, that she could have handled the dagger and left it in its present condition, without showing a corresponding stain on her hand.

The coroner states that the absence of blood on Madeleine's hand makes it nearly impossible for her to have wielded the dagger herself.

_Key argument against suicide._

## Links

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