The Greene Murder Case · Chapter
Two Wills explained
A conference at the Stuyvesant Club brings together Inspector Moran, Sergeant Heath, Markham, Vance, and the narrator to discuss the investigation into Rex Greene's murder.
What happens
A conference at the Stuyvesant Club brings together Inspector Moran, Sergeant Heath, Markham, Vance, and the narrator to discuss the investigation into Rex Greene's murder. The theft of poisons from Doctor Von Blon is revealed, and Vance theorizes that the murders are driven by a fanatical, insane logic rather than mere monetary gain. Markham presents the terms of Tobias Greene's will, which forces the family to live on the estate for twenty-five years under threat of disinheritance, and the group debates strategies to prevent further tragedies, ultimately deciding on increased surveillance and medical precautions.
Themes in this chapter
Psychological Motivation and Insanity
Vance characterizes the murderer as driven by an 'idée fixe' and 'demoniacal logic of insanity,' with a fanatical, romantic optimism akin to historical figures like Mohammed and Robespierre.
Inheritance and Material Motive
The will's terms—forcing cohabitation for twenty-five years under threat of disinheritance—are central to the discussion, though Vance argues money is only a contributory factor to deeper passions.
Secrecy and Hidden Truth
The theft of poisons, the surreptitious return of the galoshes, and the plan to tap the telephone line all underscore the hidden maneuvers and secrets within the investigation.
Characters to notice
- Philo Vance
Argues that the murders stem from a fanatical, insane logic and a perverted romantic imagination, not just money; insists on treating everyone as a suspect and proposes medical preparations for potential poisonings.
- John F.-X. Markham
Leads the conference, presents copies of Tobias Greene's wills, and relates the theft of poisons from Von Blon; considers court action to alter the will's provisions.
- Ernest Heath
Frustrated by lack of progress, reports on fingerprints and footprints; secretly returned the galoshes to the linen-closet and placed a police nurse, O'Brien, in the Greene household to watch for the poisons.
- William M. Moran
Expresses concern about the case potentially becoming a poisoning; questions the will's provisions and suggests inducing the girls to separate; agrees to arrange a police surgeon for medical readiness.
- Doctor Von Blon
His satchel of poisons (morphine and strychnine) was stolen from the Greene mansion's upper hall shortly after Rex's murder, as reported by Markham.
- Ada Greene
Mentioned as a possible legatee under the will; her fingerprints were found in Rex's room; the will allows her to marry and live elsewhere without losing inheritance since she is not Tobias's biological child.
Key passages
“We've been going round in a circle all afternoon, and the faster we went the quicker we got to where we started.”
Heath complains that the investigation has made no progress despite their efforts.
Expresses the frustration of the police team.
“I see in this whole affair a carefully worked-out plot that's been in preparation perhaps for years. We're dealing with the persistency of an idée fixe, and with the demoniacal logic of insanity.”
Vance believes the murders are part of a long-planned scheme driven by obsessive and insane reasoning.
Highlights Vance's psychological interpretation of the crimes.
“If the Greene millions are an actuating force in this affair, there's no way on earth to avert at least one more tragedy.”
Vance warns that if money is the motive, another murder is inevitable.
Foreshadows further violence based on the inheritance motive.
