# XX: A Reconstruction explained — The Footsteps at the Lock

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_footsteps_at_the_lock_se/chapters/xx-a-reconstruction
- 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