# The End of the Case explained — The Eye of Osiris

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

## What happens

Arthur Jellicoe confesses to the murder of John Bellingham and the elaborate scheme to conceal the body in a mummy case, using his knowledge of embalming and the museum. He explains his tactical errors, including the use of bones to simulate the deceased, and his underestimation of scientific expertise. After finishing his confession, he dies by cyanide poisoning from a cigarette, thwarting arrest.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Truth

Jellicoe's elaborate deception is fully revealed, and the truth of the murder and concealment is exposed.

### Forensic Science and Medicine

Thorndyke's use of X-ray photography and Jellicoe's embalming methods highlight scientific detection.

### Death and Mortality

Jellicoe's suicide by cyanide and the discovery of John Bellingham's preserved remains underscore the theme of death.

## Character check-ins

### Arthur Jellicoe

Confesses to murder and concealment of John Bellingham's body, then dies by cyanide poisoning.

### John Thorndyke

Receives Jellicoe's confession, reveals he used X-ray photography to verify suspicions without opening the mummy case.

### Inspector Badger

Present during the confession, frustrated by Jellicoe's death before arrest.

### Paul Berkeley

Narrator present during the confession and Jellicoe's death.

### Dr. Norbury

Notified by Thorndyke to remove the mummy to the Museum.

## Key lines

> I notified Doctor Norbury of the fact, and five days later he came and removed it to the Museum.

Thorndyke informed Dr. Norbury, who retrieved the mummy after five days.

_Confirms the transfer of the mummy to the Museum._

> It was necessary that John Bellingham should make one more appearance in public before sinking into final oblivion.

Jellicoe staged a visit to Hurst's house to create a false disappearance date.

_Explains Jellicoe's motive for the visit to Hurst's house._

> I had no idea mere bones were capable of furnishing so much information to a man of science.

Jellicoe underestimated how much scientists could learn from bones.

_Highlights Jellicoe's tactical error regarding the bones._

> I took an X-ray photograph.

Thorndyke used X-ray imaging to examine the mummy without opening it.

_Reveals Thorndyke's non-invasive investigative method._

> Prussic acid or potassium cyanide is what the appearances suggest.

Thorndyke identified the poison as cyanide based on Jellicoe's symptoms.

_Diagnosis of the cause of Jellicoe's death._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eye_of_osiris_se/chapters/xx-the-end-of-the-case
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eye_of_osiris_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_eye_of_osiris_se/chapters