# X: Some Testimony explained — The Clue

> Chapter companion for The Clue by Carolyn Wells.

## What happens

The inquest continues with testimony from Miss Morton, Tom Willard, Cicely Dupuy, Marie the maid, Kitty French, and Molly Gardner. Miss Morton explains her past connection to Richard Van Norman and her surprise at the inheritance. Tom Willard provides his alibi. Cicely Dupuy confesses to writing the suicide note but refuses to explain the 'S.' in it. Marie corroborates Cicely's account, and the other women offer little additional insight.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Confession

Cicely Dupuy confesses to writing the suicide note but refuses to reveal the identity of 'S.', highlighting the tension between truth and concealment.

### Wealth and Inheritance

Miss Morton's testimony reveals her past connection to Richard Van Norman and her surprise at inheriting the house, underscoring the role of wealth and legacy in the narrative.

## Character check-ins

### Elizabeth Morton

Testifies about her past engagement to Richard Van Norman and her surprise at inheriting the house.

### Tom Willard

Provides his alibi, stating he went to the Mapleton Inn after leaving the house and was awakened by a phone call from Miss Morton.

### Cicely Dupuy

Confesses to writing the suicide note but refuses to explain the 'S.' in it; becomes emotionally distressed during testimony.

### Mrs. Markham

Mentioned as Marie, the maid; corroborates Cicely's account and states Miss Van Norman was happy about her wedding.

### Kitty French

Testifies she heard the cry and commotion but was sent to her room; feels defrauded of an opportunity to give evidence.

### Molly Gardner

Testifies in whispered monosyllables; shrinks from the subject and knows little.

## Key lines

> I did write that paper, and it was the confession of my heart. I am very miserable, and when I wrote it I quite intended to take my own life.

Cicely admits she wrote the note as a personal confession of her unhappiness and that she had planned to commit suicide.

_Cicely's confession during the inquest reveals her emotional state and the origin of the suicide note._

> Because she knew that except for my unfortunate quarrel with Richard Van Norman, many years ago, the place would have been mine anyway.

Miss Morton explains that Madeleine left her the house because she would have inherited it if not for her falling out with Richard Van Norman.

_Miss Morton's testimony provides context for her inheritance and her past relationship with the Van Norman family._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/x-some-testimony
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_se/chapters