The Crimson Circle · Chapter
The Bottle of Chloroform explained
Thalia Drummond receives an unexpected visit from Milly Macroy, who seeks her help to clear Flush Barnet of a murder charge.
What happens
Thalia Drummond receives an unexpected visit from Milly Macroy, who seeks her help to clear Flush Barnet of a murder charge. Milly threatens to expose Thalia's past as Brabazon's secretary if she refuses. Thalia agrees to speak to Derrick Yale on Barnet's behalf. During the visit, Milly discovers a bottle of chloroform in Thalia's kitchen, raising suspicions.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Identity
Thalia hides her true motives and the purpose of the chloroform, while Milly threatens to reveal Thalia's past as Brabazon's secretary.
Crime and Punishment
Flush Barnet is in prison facing a murder charge; Brabazon has been arrested; the chapter deals with criminal accusations and potential punishment.
Characters to notice
- Thalia Drummond
Writing a letter when Milly Macroy visits; agrees to help Flush Barnet by speaking to Derrick Yale; possesses a bottle of chloroform in her kitchen.
- Milly Macroy
Visits Thalia to ask for help for Flush Barnet; threatens to expose Thalia's past; discovers the chloroform bottle.
- Mr. Barnet
Flush Barnet is in Brixton Gaol, facing a possible murder charge; Milly seeks Thalia's help to clear him.
- Derrick Yale
Thalia works for him as a secretary; mentioned as having put Parr up to the Marisburg Place job; Thalia plans to speak to him about Barnet.
- Mr. Parr
Inspector Parr arrested Brabazon; mentioned in connection with the Marisburg Place job.
Key passages
“You can go to Inspector Parr and tell him the old, old story. I've got it all worked out; you can say that 'Flush' was sweet on you, saw you go into the house and followed, and couldn't get out.”
Milly suggests that Thalia should tell Inspector Parr that Flush Barnet followed her into the house because he was infatuated with her, and then got trapped inside.
Milly proposes a fabricated story to exonerate Flush Barnet.
“Because when the Brabazon case comes on, there's nothing to prevent me going into the box and saying a few plain words about what you did in the way of quick money-getting when you were Brab's secretary.”
Milly threatens to testify in court about Thalia's dishonest activities while working as Brabazon's secretary.
Milly uses blackmail to pressure Thalia into helping Flush Barnet.