# IV: The Missing Revolver explained — The Greene Murder Case

> Chapter companion for The Greene Murder Case by S. S. Van Dine.

## What happens

Vance interviews the servants Sproot, Gertrude Mannheim, Hemming, and Barton, probing for insights into the shooting. Chester Greene reveals that his revolver is missing, and Vance emphasizes its significance despite Markham and Heath's skepticism. Sibella Greene is summoned for questioning.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Hidden Truth

The missing revolver and the servants' evasive or contradictory accounts hint at concealed knowledge about the crime.

### Family Dysfunction and Decay

Hemming's religious condemnation of the Greene family as 'ungodly, wicked' and Chester's strained relationship with his mother underscore the household's dysfunction.

### Detection and Rational Inquiry

Vance's methodical interviews and focus on the missing revolver exemplify rational investigation, contrasting with Markham and Heath's reliance on the burglar theory.

## Character check-ins

### Philo Vance

Takes command of the interviews, using indirect questioning to assess the household's dynamics and the servants' characters.

### John F.-X. Markham

Remains largely passive and skeptical of Vance's methods, preferring to focus on Ada Greene as the key witness.

### Chester Greene

Apologizes for his mother's behavior, retrieves the servants, and reports his revolver missing, though he dismisses its importance.

### Sproot

The butler recounts hearing shots and discovering Ada Greene, displaying a stoic and philosophical demeanor.

### Ernest Heath

Grows impatient with Vance's approach, insisting on the burglar theory and the need to question Ada Greene directly.

### Sibella Greene

Arrives at the end of the chapter, summoned for questioning by Vance.

## Key lines

> The Mater's a crabbed old soul

Chester apologizes for his mother's difficult personality.

_Reveals Chester's strained relationship with Mrs. Tobias Greene._

> I was reading Martial, sir, in my room

Sproot explains he was reading Latin poetry when he heard the shots.

_Highlights Sproot's cultured and detached demeanor._

> The Greenes are an ungodly, wicked family

Hemming declares the family morally corrupt, attributing the shooting to divine punishment.

_Reflects the theme of family dysfunction and religious judgment._

> I bought it fifteen years ago... practically a hair-trigger affair

Chester describes his old revolver, noting its sensitive trigger.

_Establishes the weapon's potential significance in the crime._

> I'm afraid that fancy weapon with the hair-trigger never will appear

Vance predicts the revolver will remain missing until the case is solved.

_Foreshadows the revolver's role in the unfolding mystery._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/iv-the-missing-revolver
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters