The Door with Seven Locks · Chapter
XIII explained
Dick Martin visits Inspector Sneed at Scotland Yard to share his findings and suspicions.
What happens
Dick Martin visits Inspector Sneed at Scotland Yard to share his findings and suspicions. Sneed identifies the nearly naked attacker as Dr. Stalletti, who has a history of bizarre experiments aimed at reverting humans to a primitive state. Sneed arranges surveillance and a raid on Gallows Cottage. Later, Dick returns to his flat and is attacked in the night by a monstrous hand, but he escapes and the assailant flees via a rope ladder. Dick deduces this is the same murderer who killed Lew Pheeney.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Detection
Dick Martin collaborates with Inspector Sneed to investigate the attacks and murder, employing deduction and police resources.
Madness and Control
Dr. Stalletti's experiments to create primitive humans reflect a twisted desire to control human evolution.
Secrecy and Deception
Dick uses covert tactics to evade surveillance and the mysterious assailant employs stealth and a rope ladder to infiltrate the flat.
Characters to notice
- Dick Martin
Visits Inspector Sneed, shares his discoveries, and later survives an attack in his flat by a mysterious assailant.
- Inspector Sneed
Listens to Dick's report, identifies Stalletti as the likely attacker, and orders surveillance and a raid on Gallows Cottage.
- Antonio Stalletti
Identified by Sneed as the nearly naked attacker; known for his experiments to create primitive humans.
- Slick
Present during the conversation at Scotland Yard, asking about Stalletti's 'old tricks.'
- Lew Pheeney
Mentioned as the victim whose murder Dick believes was committed by the same assailant who attacked him.
Key passages
“Rearranging the human race”
Altering humanity's natural development
Inspector Sneed describes Stalletti's experiments to create primitive humans.
“To be seen out with you is like wearing my name and licence”
Being seen with you is as conspicuous as displaying my identity publicly
Dick Martin declines Sneed's offer to walk him home, fearing association with a police officer.