# XXIII explained — The Door with Seven Locks

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

## What happens

Dick Martin narrowly escapes an assassination attempt involving a bullet and a trip wire in the dark. Returning to the house, he and Inspector Sneed discover that the power and telephone lines were cut. They search Mrs. Cody's belongings and find letters connecting Cody, Mrs. Cody, Stalletti, and the late Lord Selford, along with a marriage certificate witnessed by Stalletti and a mysterious William Brown. Determined to investigate Selford Manor, Dick finds his car tires slashed, forcing him to proceed on foot.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Deception

Cody's lies about knowing the Selfords are exposed through hidden letters, and the assassin uses covert traps.

### Crime and Detection

The chapter focuses on forensic search, evidence gathering, and deductive reasoning following an attempted murder.

### Greed and Inheritance

The marriage certificate and connections to Lord Selford hint at inheritance motives underlying the crimes.

## Character check-ins

### Dick Martin

Survives an assassination attempt and leads the investigation, discovering key documents.

### Inspector Sneed

Assists in the search of Mrs. Cody's box and discusses the case with Dick.

### Mrs. Bertram Cody

Her personal box is searched, revealing letters and a marriage certificate.

### Bertram Cody

His handwriting is identified in a letter to Mrs. Cawler, linking him to Stalletti and Lord Selford.

### Antonio Stalletti

Mentioned in a letter and as a witness to a marriage, connecting him to the Selford affair.

### Thomas Cawler

Mentioned as a nephew of Mrs. Cawler; Dick vouches for his character as a non-murderer.

## Key lines

> The wind of the bullet came so close to his left eye that it almost blinded him momentarily.

The bullet passed so near Dick's left eye that it nearly blinded him for a moment.

_Describes the close call during the assassination attempt._

> There is a side road runs parallel with the orchard for about two hundred yards; I made a fairly thorough examination of the house before my first visit.

Dick explains that a side road runs alongside the orchard for about two hundred yards, which he had noted during his earlier survey of the property.

_Dick's preparedness reveals his methodical approach to the investigation._

> Then they were all acquainted... Cody, Mrs. Cody, Stalletti, and the late Lord Selford. When Cody said he knew nothing of the Selfords he was lying.

Dick realizes that Cody, Mrs. Cody, Stalletti, and the late Lord Selford were all connected, contradicting Cody's earlier denial.

_Key revelation linking the characters and exposing Cody's deception._

## Links

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