# The Lost Poisons explained — The Greene Murder Case

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

## What happens

Vance explains his reasoning behind finding the galoshes in the linen-closet, arguing that the footprints were deliberately made by someone in the Greene household to mislead the police. He and Markham discuss the implications, concluding that the murderer must be a member of the household. Later, Doctor Von Blon reports that morphine and strychnine have been stolen from his medical case while he was at the Greene house, adding a new layer of suspicion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Detection and Rational Inquiry

Vance's logical analysis of the footprints and the hidden galoshes exemplifies the theme of rational deduction.

### Secrecy and Hidden Truth

The hidden galoshes and the stolen poisons underscore the theme of concealed evidence and hidden motives within the household.

### Psychological Motivation and Insanity

Vance's discussion of the murderer's calculated behavior and the inexplicable aspects of Rex's death highlight the psychological complexity of the crimes.

## Character check-ins

### Philo Vance

Explains his deductive reasoning about the footprints and galoshes, and discusses the psychological profile of murderers.

### John F.-X. Markham

Listens to Vance's theory, expresses horror at the idea that the murderer is a household member, and receives Von Blon's report about the stolen poisons.

### Doctor Von Blon

Reports to Markham that morphine and strychnine were stolen from his medical case while he was at the Greene house.

### Rex Greene

Mentioned as having been shot in his room; his peaceful expression and the fact that no one upstairs heard the shot are noted as puzzling.

### Sproot

Mentioned as having heard the shot that killed Rex Greene from the butler's pantry downstairs.

## Key lines

> I never put any stock in the burglar theory, and so was able to approach the problem with a virgin mind, as it were.

Vance says he never believed the burglar theory, which allowed him to think about the case without preconceptions.

_Vance explains his unbiased approach to the investigation._

> Nothing has 'just happened' in this case. There's a terrible logic about everything—a carefully planned reason behind each detail.

Vance asserts that every event in the case is deliberate and logically connected, not random.

_Vance emphasizes the meticulous planning behind the murders._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xvi-the-lost-poisons
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters