# V explained — The Door with Seven Locks

> Chapter companion for The Door with Seven Locks by Edgar Wallace.

## What happens

Dick Martin's flat becomes a crime scene when Lew Pheeney's body is discovered. The police investigate the mysterious circumstances of the murder, and Dick is allowed to leave England after the inquest to pursue a dangerous mission.

## Themes in this chapter

### Crime and Detection

The chapter focuses on the police investigation into Lew Pheeney's murder, with detectives examining the flat and theorizing how the killer entered.

### Secrecy and Deception

Lew's strange story is suppressed by the police, and Dick's mission remains shrouded in mystery as he departs England.

## Character check-ins

### Dick Martin

Hosts the police investigation in his dining-room; discovers Lew Pheeney's body; later meets with Mr. Havelock and departs England.

### Inspector Sneed

Leads the investigation at Dick's flat; examines the kitchen door and service lift as possible entry points.

### Lew Pheeney

Found dead in Dick's flat; cause of death is strangulation or a broken neck.

### Mr. Havelock

Interviewed by Dick about the murder's impact on their plans; agrees to extend the timeline.

## Key lines

> So far as I can tell by a superficial examination, he’s been dead for some hours, and was either strangled or his neck was broken.

The doctor's initial assessment indicates Lew Pheeney died several hours ago, likely from strangulation or a broken neck.

_Medical examination reveals cause of death._

> There’s only one way he could have come in, and that is through the kitchenette.

Inspector Sneed concludes the killer's only possible entry was via the kitchenette door.

_Sneed identifies the likely point of entry._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_door_with_seven_locks_se/chapters/v
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_door_with_seven_locks_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_door_with_seven_locks_se/chapters