# XXII explained — The Door with Seven Locks

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

## What happens

Dick Martin and Inspector Sneed investigate a room with bloodstains and fingerprints, discovering a ladder leading to a kitchen garden. They are ambushed by an unseen assailant with automatic pistols, engaging in a fierce gunfight. Dick crawls forward to confront the shooter, who fires at him point-blank.

## Themes in this chapter

### Crime and Detection

The chapter focuses on forensic investigation (bloodstains, fingerprints) and a violent ambush, highlighting the detective work and danger.

## Character check-ins

### Dick Martin

Investigates the room with Sneed, climbs onto the roof, descends the ladder, and leads the crawl toward the assailant.

### Inspector Sneed

Assists in the search, climbs through the skylight, and joins the gunfight, showing surprising agility.

## Key lines

> Bloodstains on that door; did you notice them? Down there at the bottom

Sneed points out bloodstains at the bottom of the door.

_Evidence of violence discovered during the search._

> One man with two automatic pistols

Dick estimates a single attacker using two automatic pistols.

_Assessment of the ambush during the gunfight._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_door_with_seven_locks_se/chapters/xxii
- 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