# XX: Cicely's Flight explained — The Clue

> Chapter companion for The Clue by Carolyn Wells.

## What happens

Rob Fessenden and Detective Fairbanks shift suspicion from Schuyler Carleton to Cicely Dupuy. Fessenden attempts to interview Cicely but discovers she has fled Mapleton. He pursues her to New York, tracking her to an apartment house, but she has already left for Grand Central Station.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Confession

Cicely's flight and her muttered fears of betraying a secret underscore the theme of hidden truths and the pressure to confess.

### Detection and Reasoning

Fessenden and Fairbanks use logical deduction to shift suspicion and pursue Cicely based on circumstantial evidence.

### Appearance vs. Reality

Cicely's innocent appearance contrasts with the suspicion of her guilt, challenging assumptions about who could commit murder.

## Character check-ins

### Rob Fessenden

Leads the shift in suspicion toward Cicely Dupuy, pursues her to New York, and tracks her to Grand Central Station.

### Cicely Dupuy

Flees Mapleton suddenly, leaving behind evidence that suggests her possible guilt.

### Kitty French

Assists Fessenden by locating Cicely's address in New York via telegram.

### Fairbanks

Agrees to shift suspicion from Carleton to Cicely and supports Fessenden's informal interview plan.

### Elizabeth Morton

Informed of Cicely's departure but unaware of her destination; expresses disbelief at Cicely's possible guilt.

### Schuyler Carleton

Practically exonerated as suspicion moves away from him.

## Key lines

> I don't believe that little blue-eyed, yellow-haired thing could stab anybody.

Kitty French doubts that someone with such a delicate appearance could be capable of murder.

_Highlights the theme of appearance vs. reality and societal biases about female suspects._

> She is not here. There is no person of that name in my house.

The woman at the apartment denies Cicely's presence, but her reaction reveals the truth.

_Illustrates the theme of secrecy and the difficulty of uncovering the truth._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xx-cicely-s-flight
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_se/chapters