# XIII: The Third Tragedy explained — The Greene Murder Case

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

## What happens

On November 28, Markham, Inspector Moran, Heath, Vance, and the narrator meet at the Stuyvesant Club to discuss the Greene murders. Vance argues that the lack of obvious clues is itself a significant clue, and predicts further tragedy. He suggests the killer is already within the household, tainted by the toxic environment created by old Tobias Greene's will. Heath proposes investigating the wills of Tobias and Mrs. Greene for motives. Two days later, Ada Greene visits Markham's office and reveals that Rex did hear the shot on the night of the first double shooting but was too terrified to admit it, and that he heard something else that frightened him. She pleads with Markham to question Rex away from the house.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family Dysfunction and Decay

Vance describes the Greene mansion as having a 'deadly atmosphere' and the killer as 'nourished by the toxins that seep from the very stones of the walls,' highlighting the toxic family environment.

### Inheritance and Material Motive

Heath suggests investigating Tobias Greene's will and Mrs. Greene's will for motives, and Vance notes the 'subterranean power' of the money in the crimes.

### Secrecy and Hidden Truth

Ada reveals that Rex hid the fact he heard the shot and something else, and she speaks of a 'secret' that terrifies him, underscoring the theme of concealed knowledge.

## Character check-ins

### Philo Vance

Attends the club conference, argues that the absence of clues is a clue, predicts more tragedy, and later discusses the wills with Markham.

### John F.-X. Markham

Hosts the conference at the Stuyvesant Club, agrees to investigate the Greene wills, and later receives Ada Greene in his office.

### Ernest Heath

Attends the conference, expresses frustration at the lack of leads, and suggests looking into Tobias Greene's will for motives.

### Ada Greene

Visits Markham's office to reveal that Rex heard the shot and something else that terrified him, and asks Markham to question Rex away from the house.

### Rex Greene

Discussed by Ada: he confided that he heard the shot and something else, but was too frightened to admit it.

### William M. Moran

Attends the club conference, expresses fear about the case, and suggests putting a spy in the house or dispersing the family.

## Key lines

> The thing isn't over yet. The picture's unfinished. There's more tragedy to come before the monstrous canvas is rounded out.

Vance predicts further murders, suggesting the crime spree is not complete.

_Vance's foreboding statement about the ongoing nature of the killings._

> The killer is already in the house. He's part of the deadly atmosphere of the place. He's been there for years, nourished by the toxins that seep from the very stones of the walls.

Vance asserts that the murderer lives within the Greene household, shaped by its corrupt environment.

_Vance's theory that the killer is a long-term resident of the mansion._

> I'd feel—safer if—if—

Ada expresses a desire for safety by having Markham question Rex away from the house.

_Ada's hesitant plea to Markham to interrogate Rex outside the Greene mansion._

## Links

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