The Clue · Chapter
XXIII: Fleming Stone explained
The great detective Fleming Stone arrives at the Van Norman house to take over the investigation.
What happens
The great detective Fleming Stone arrives at the Van Norman house to take over the investigation. He listens to all the facts from the group, then examines the premises. In the drawing-room, he discovers the ash-chute in the fireplace, deducing that the murderer entered and exited through it. Later, Kitty French mentions that Rob Fessenden found a cachou near the fireplace, which seems to give Stone an important lead.
Themes in this chapter
Detection and Reasoning
Fleming Stone's methodical approach—listening to all accounts, examining the house, and deducing the ash-chute entry—exemplifies the theme of logical detection.
Appearance vs. Reality
The immaculate, cleaned rooms hide the clues of the murder; the seemingly ordinary fireplace conceals the murderer's entry point.
Characters to notice
- Fleming Stone
Arrives and takes charge of the investigation; discovers the ash-chute entry point and learns about the cachou found near the fireplace.
- Kitty French
Acts as Stone's guide through the house; recalls the cachou found by Fessenden and shares this information with Stone.
- Rob Fessenden
Participates in the discussions and accompanies Stone during the house examination; previously found a cachou near the fireplace.
- Elizabeth Morton
Hosts Fleming Stone at the Van Norman house; permits the tour of the rooms and mentions recent housecleaning.
- Schuyler Carleton
Present at the evening discussion; shows reluctance toward publicity but stays for the gathering.
- Tom Willard
Attends the evening meeting; makes blunt remarks during the recital of the case.
Key passages
“In a case like this, with no definite clues to follow, the only thing to do is to examine the premises in hope of happening upon something suggestive.”
When there are no clear leads, the best approach is to inspect the location for any potential hints.
Fleming Stone explains his method of investigation to the group.
“He came up through this hole in the fireplace, very soon after Miss Dupuy went upstairs at half-past ten. Before Mr. Carleton arrived at quarter after eleven, the murderer had finished his work, and had departed by this same means.”
The killer entered via the ash-chute shortly after Cicely went to bed and left the same way before Carleton arrived.
Stone reveals his deduction about the murderer's entry and exit.
“Rob found it. It was right in that corner by the mantel, just near the fireplace.”
Fessenden discovered the cachou in the corner beside the mantelpiece, close to the hearth.
Kitty French tells Stone about the small object found earlier.