# XXIII: Fleming Stone explained — The Clue

> Chapter companion for The Clue by Carolyn Wells.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xxiii-fleming-stone
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_clue_se/chapters