# XXIII: The Woman in the Cupboard explained — The Crimson Circle

> Chapter companion for The Crimson Circle by Edgar Wallace.

## What happens

Derrick Yale is attacked and drugged in his office while guarding Harvey Froyant's money, which is stolen by the Crimson Circle. Thalia Drummond, who had been hiding in Yale's cupboard, escapes unnoticed. Parr and Jack Beardmore discover Yale bound and unconscious, and despite their investigation, the thief's method of entry and exit remains a mystery. Froyant initially rages but then calmly accepts the loss.

## Themes in this chapter

### Crime and Punishment

The Crimson Circle successfully steals the money despite Yale's precautions, highlighting the theme of crime evading punishment.

### Deception and Identity

Thalia's hidden presence in the cupboard and the mysterious method of the attack underscore deception and hidden identities.

## Character check-ins

### Derrick Yale

Attacked and drugged in his office; the money he was guarding is stolen.

### Thalia Drummond

Emerges from the cupboard in Yale's office after the attack and escapes the building.

### Mr. Parr

Investigates the attack on Yale; discovers Yale bound and the window open.

### Felix Marl

Present as Jack Beardmore; helps unbuckle Yale's straps and questions the escape.

### Harvey Froyant

Furious about the theft but then calmly accepts the loss and tells Yale to send his bill.

## Key lines

> calmness of his voice was almost startling after its previous rancour. “All right,” he said, “nothing can be done. The Crimson Circle have had their money, and that is the end of it. I’m much obliged to you, Yale. Please send your bill to me.”

Froyant's sudden calm after his earlier fury is surprising; he accepts the loss and tells Yale to invoice him.

_Froyant's abrupt shift from rage to resignation marks the chapter's climax._

> Parr bent down, and snatched the saturated towel from the detective’s face, and he opened his eyes, and stared around.

Parr removes the chloroformed towel from Yale's face, reviving him.

_Yale is discovered bound and unconscious after the attack._

> “That is the cleverest thing I’ve ever seen,” he said.

Parr admires the cleverness of the criminal's escape method.

_Parr's remark highlights the mystery of how the attacker escaped._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_crimson_circle_se/chapters/xxiii-the-woman-in-the-cupboard
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_crimson_circle_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_crimson_circle_se/chapters