The Footsteps at the Lock · Chapter
XX: A Reconstruction explained
Bredon and Leyland reconstruct the events of the murder, testing the timing and feasibility of Nigel's actions.
What happens
Bredon and Leyland reconstruct the events of the murder, testing the timing and feasibility of Nigel's actions. They discover a crucial shadow inconsistency in a photograph, leading them to reconsider the timeline. A stranger arrives by train and drops a ticket, which they identify as the one taken at Eaton, prompting them to follow him.
Themes in this chapter
Detection and Rational Inquiry
Bredon and Leyland methodically reconstruct the crime, testing hypotheses and analyzing photographic evidence.
Appearance vs. Reality
The photograph shadows reveal a discrepancy between the apparent time of the image and the actual timing, challenging assumptions about the crime.
Characters to notice
- Miles Bredon
Leads the reconstruction, analyzes the photograph shadows, and devises the plan to follow the stranger.
- Mr. Leyland
Assists in the reconstruction, takes photographs, and follows the stranger on foot.
- Nigel Burtell
Discussed as a suspect; his alibi is questioned and his story analyzed.
- Mr. Burgess
Provides a roll of oilcloth for the dummy body and is instructed to keep lookout.
- The Stranger
Arrives by train, drops a ticket that matches the one taken at Eaton, and is followed by Bredon and Leyland.
Key passages
“I don't find Nigel Burtell's story incredible in the least. I was never at a University, but I can quite understand how a creature of poses like that might experience a sudden revulsion just at the end of his time there.”
Bredon says he believes Nigel's story about his university experience, understanding how someone who puts on a facade might feel a sudden change at graduation.
Bredon expresses empathy for Nigel's psychological state, though he remains suspicious.
“Do you notice anything funny about the shadows in that picture? ... They go from left to right!”
Bredon points out that the shadows in the photograph are cast from left to right, which is inconsistent with a morning photo.
This observation leads to a key realization about the timing of the photograph.
“This is too good to be true ... It's quite, quite certainly the one the man in the punt took at Eaton. F.N.2, as I live—the beastly number would have been found written on my heart if we hadn't come across this.”
Leyland excitedly identifies the dropped ticket as the same one taken at Eaton, recognizing the number F.N.2.
The discovery of the ticket is a major breakthrough in the investigation.