# X: The New Alliance explained — The Eye of Osiris

> Chapter companion for The Eye of Osiris by R. Austin Freeman.

## What happens

At a supper party at Paul Berkeley's rooms, Thorndyke formally agrees to take on the Bellingham case, forming a new alliance with Godfrey and Ruth Bellingham. He discusses the discovered human remains and their possible connection to John Bellingham's disappearance, while emphasizing the need for secrecy regarding his involvement.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mystery and Detection

Thorndyke analyzes the discovered bones and their possible link to John Bellingham's disappearance, advancing the investigation.

### Deception and Truth

Thorndyke insists on secrecy about his involvement, using Mr. Marchmont as a nominal front.

### Friendship and Loyalty

Paul Berkeley's attempted bribe and the Bellinghams' trust in Thorndyke highlight bonds of loyalty.

## Character check-ins

### John Thorndyke

Agrees to take the Bellingham case, discusses the discovered remains, and advises secrecy.

### Godfrey Bellingham

Anxiously discusses the human remains and accepts Thorndyke's offer to handle the case.

### Ruth Bellingham

Calmly supports accepting Thorndyke's offer and is asked to play piano later.

### Paul Berkeley

Hosts the supper party and is embarrassed when Thorndyke reveals his attempted bribe.

### Jervis

Present at the supper, recalls the Blackmore case and his association with Thorndyke.

## Key lines

> I want to ask you if⁠—if they have made a similar suggestion to you?

Godfrey Bellingham asks Thorndyke if he also suspects the discovered remains are connected to his brother's disappearance.

_Godfrey directly seeks Thorndyke's opinion on the link between the bones and John Bellingham._

> It is a horrible affair! ... Would you mind, Doctor Thorndyke, telling us just how the matter stands in your opinion⁠—what the probabilities are, for and against?

Godfrey Bellingham, distressed, asks Thorndyke to explain the likelihood that the remains are his brother's.

_Godfrey presses for Thorndyke's professional assessment of the evidence._

> I am therefore going to ask you to put your case in my hands and let me see what can be done with it.

Thorndyke formally offers to take over the Bellingham case himself.

_Thorndyke proposes to handle the case directly, citing his specialty._

> We will be as secret as the grave

Godfrey Bellingham agrees to keep Thorndyke's involvement confidential.

_Godfrey promises secrecy to protect their strategy._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eye_of_osiris_se/chapters/x-the-new-alliance
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eye_of_osiris_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eye_of_osiris_se/chapters