The Footsteps at the Lock · Chapter
Mr. Burgess Expands explained
Bredon and Angela continue their investigation, towing a canoe upstream and stopping at the Gudgeon Inn.
What happens
Bredon and Angela continue their investigation, towing a canoe upstream and stopping at the Gudgeon Inn. They meet Mr. Burgess, the lock-keeper, who expands on his theory that the missing canoeist deliberately staged the accident and escaped via the railroad. Bredon retrieves a tobacco pouch containing a spool of used camera film from Spinnaker Farm, furthering the mystery.
Themes in this chapter
Detection and Rational Inquiry
Bredon systematically gathers evidence, interviews witnesses, and reconstructs the possible escape route.
Deception and Identity
Mr. Burgess theorizes that the missing man deliberately faked his drowning, highlighting themes of staged deception.
Characters to notice
- Miles Bredon
Leads the investigation, tows the canoe, questions Mr. Burgess, and retrieves the tobacco pouch with film.
- Angela
Assists Bredon, steers the canoe, and engages Mr. Burgess in conversation about his garden.
- Mr. Burgess
Lock-keeper who shares his theory about the staged accident and the escape route via the railroad.
- The Stranger
Scoutmaster encountered at the camp; provides information about the timing of the accident.
- Lizzy
Mentioned as Flossie, the girl who found the tobacco pouch in the field.
Key passages
“I’m glad to know he caught the train, for he looked to me as if he were going to miss it.”
Bredon expresses relief that the fleeing man made his train, noting his apparent haste.
Confirms the stranger's escape via train.
“That might be much worse. That might be very much worse.”
Bredon realizes the film could have been more incriminating or lost.
Highlights the importance of the film evidence.
“Oh, of course Burgess is all wrong. Anybody could see he’s talking through his hat.”
Bredon dismisses Burgess's theory as incorrect.
Shows Bredon's skepticism and his own developing theory.