# XV: A New Legacy explained — The Footsteps at the Lock

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

## What happens

Mrs. Coolman, the great-aunt of Derek and Nigel Burtell, dies peacefully. Her will, drawn up shortly before her death, leaves nearly a hundred thousand pounds to Derek, with Edward Farris as the alternative heir. This new development shifts suspicion away from Nigel and onto Farris, who now has a strong motive for Derek's murder. The police and Bredon discuss the implications with Mr. Quirk.

## Themes in this chapter

### Inheritance and Moral Responsibility

The new will introduces a substantial inheritance that shifts motives and raises questions about moral duty and greed.

### Deception and Identity

The possibility of a put-up job between Nigel and Farris, and the concealment of Derek's true situation, underscores themes of deception.

## Character check-ins

### Mrs. Coolman

Dies quietly in her sleep; her will creates a new motive for murder.

### Edward Farris

Mrs. Coolman's adopted son and alternative heir; now a prime suspect.

### Nigel Burtell

Cleared of primary suspicion due to the new will; his motive is reduced.

### Derek Burtell

The primary heir under the new will; his fate remains unknown.

### Miles Bredon

Investigates the implications of the new will and discusses theories with Leyland and Quirk.

### Mr. Leyland

Receives the urgent letter about the will and shares the information with Bredon and Quirk.

## Key lines

> if you can help me to keep on the straight track.

If you can assist me in staying on the right path.

_Mr. Quirk asks Leyland for guidance in the investigation._

> It proves now that a will was drawn up in Derek Burtell’s favour last Wednesday, which makes him a rich man, if he’s alive.

This shows that a will was made last Wednesday leaving Derek Burtell a fortune, provided he is still alive.

_Leyland explains the new will to Mr. Quirk._

> If he’s dead, the person who stands to gain is not his cousin, but a stranger to him—a man called Farris

If Derek is dead, the beneficiary is not his cousin Nigel but a stranger named Farris.

_Leyland outlines the alternative heir._

> It was now or never

The opportunity was immediate or not at all.

_Bredon argues that Farris had to act before Mrs. Coolman died._

> Wasn’t it Nigel who consented to impersonate Derek Burtell at Millington Bridge, the way he’d get a lead on his pursuers?

Didn't Nigel agree to pretend to be Derek at Millington Bridge to gain an advantage over those chasing him?

_Bredon questions whether Nigel's impersonation was part of a larger scheme._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_footsteps_at_the_lock_se/chapters/xv-a-new-legacy
- 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