# At Last—At Last explained — The Dead Letter

> Chapter companion for The Dead Letter by Metta Victor.

## What happens

Mr. Burton travels to Acapulco and then to Don Miguel's hacienda, where he confronts George Thorley, the man who murdered Henry Moreland. Using evidence and a revolver, Burton forces Thorley to write a confession, then insists on revealing Thorley's true nature to Don Miguel.

## Themes in this chapter

### Justice and Investigation

Burton's methodical pursuit and coercion of Thorley to obtain a confession and bring him to account.

### Class and Morality

Thorley's attempt to reform and gain respectability contrasted with his criminal past and murderous actions.

### Appearance vs. Reality

Thorley's facade as a reformed man and respected doctor hides his true identity as a murderer and adventurer.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Burton

Detective who travels to Acapulco, confronts and coerces Thorley into confessing the murder of Henry Moreland.

### George Thorley

The murderer of Henry Moreland, confronted by Burton in a ravine; forced to write a sworn confession.

### Don Miguel

Owner of the hacienda where Thorley has been living; Burton intends to warn him about Thorley's true character.

### Henry Moreland

The murder victim; Thorley confesses to killing him for two thousand dollars.

## Key lines

> Another stab in the back, George Thorley?

Burton accuses Thorley of attempting to stab him from behind.

_Burton confronts Thorley after thwarting his attack._

> I want you to give your written and sworn testimony as to who it was hired you, for the sum of two thousand dollars, to murder Mr. Moreland, at Blankville, on the 17th of October, 1857.

Burton demands a written confession naming the person who paid Thorley to kill Moreland.

_Burton lays out the specific crime and his demand for evidence._

> I have the instrument with which you committed the act, with your initials on the handle. I have the letter you wrote to your accomplice, claiming your reward.

Burton reveals he possesses the murder weapon and a letter Thorley wrote to his accomplice.

_Burton demonstrates he has concrete proof of Thorley's guilt._

> Oh, don't do that, Mr. Burton! He'll turn me off on the world again, and I shall be exposed to the same temptations as ever—and here I was leading a better life—I was indeed—reformed, quite reformed and repentant.

Thorley begs Burton not to expose him to Don Miguel, claiming he has reformed.

_Thorley pleads for mercy, asserting his moral improvement._

> I recognized you within five minutes after sitting down to the supper-table last night.

Thorley says he identified Burton shortly after they met at dinner.

_Thorley explains how he knew Burton was a detective._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dead_letter_se/chapters/part-ii-vi-at-last-at-last
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dead_letter_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dead_letter_se/chapters