# Mr. Burgess Expands explained — The Footsteps at the Lock

> Chapter companion for The Footsteps at the Lock by Ronald A. Knox.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_footsteps_at_the_lock_se/chapters/v-mr-burgess-expands
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_footsteps_at_the_lock_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_footsteps_at_the_lock_se/chapters