# XXIII: Bredon Plays Patience Again explained — The Footsteps at the Lock

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

## What happens

Nigel, now recovering, engages Angela in a philosophical debate about murder and moral responsibility, while Bredon investigates the alias 'Luke Wallace' and discovers that someone using that name stayed at a Witney hotel on the Sunday before the canoe trip. Bredon deduces that the real Derek Burtell is alive and has been using the alias.

## Themes in this chapter

### Inheritance and Moral Responsibility

Nigel argues Derek has no right to exist and that killing him would not be wrong, while Angela counters that all lives deserve respect.

### Deception and Identity

Bredon uncovers that someone has been using the alias 'Luke Wallace' and deduces it is Derek Burtell, highlighting the theme of false identity.

### Appearance vs. Reality

Nigel's philosophical posturing about murder contrasts with his actual behavior; the hotel register reveals a hidden truth about Derek's survival.

## Character check-ins

### Nigel Burtell

Sits up for the first time, debates morality of murder with Angela, admits he would have killed Derek if he could avoid hanging.

### Angela

Knits while visiting Nigel, engages in philosophical discussion, later accompanies Bredon to Witney to investigate.

### Miles Bredon

Investigates the Luke Wallace alias, discovers the hotel register entry, deduces Derek Burtell is alive.

### Mr. Leyland

Reports finding Nigel's passport photographs but no passport, discusses investigation with Bredon.

### Edward Farris

Present at the Gudgeon, confused when Bredon mentions Luke Wallace crossing the Channel, protests he has not left England.

## Key lines

> Would you be shocked if you thought I'd done it?

Nigel asks Angela if she would be shocked to believe he was a murderer.

_Opens the philosophical debate about moral judgment._

> I would cheerfully have murdered my cousin at any time, if I could have made quite sure of not being hanged for it.

Nigel admits he would have killed Derek if he could avoid punishment.

_Reveals Nigel's ruthless pragmatism._

> The rack, the rack! Luke Wallace on the letter-rack! That's it, that does it all.

Bredon exclaims that the hotel register entry for Luke Wallace solves the puzzle.

_Key moment of deduction linking the alias to the crime._

> Is, of course, Derek Burtell.

Bredon reveals that the real name behind the Luke Wallace alias is Derek Burtell.

_Climactic revelation that Derek is alive._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_footsteps_at_the_lock_se/chapters/xxiii-bredon-plays-patience-again
- 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