# XXI: A Depleted Household explained — The Greene Murder Case

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

## What happens

Markham informs Vance and Van of Mrs. Greene's death by strychnine poisoning, discovered that morning. The household is further depleted as Hemming leaves and Sibella departs for Atlantic City, leaving only Ada, Sproot, and Mrs. Mannheim. Vance questions Hemming about Von Blon's late-night visit to Sibella, and Ada reveals she was poisoned via bouillon. Drumm and Doremus examine the body, and Heath arranges for Ada's protection.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family Dysfunction and Decay

The Greene family continues to unravel with Mrs. Greene's death, Sibella's coldness toward Ada, and the household's depletion.

### Secrecy and Hidden Truth

Hemming reveals Von Blon's secret late-night visit to Sibella, and the circumstances of the poisonings remain obscured.

### Inheritance and Material Motive

Sibella openly acknowledges her position as the sole heir to the Greene millions, highlighting financial motives.

## Character check-ins

### Philo Vance

Accompanies Markham to the Greene mansion; questions Hemming about Von Blon's visit and interrogates Ada about her poisoning.

### John F.-X. Markham

Brings news of Mrs. Greene's death; leads the investigation and questions Drumm and Ada.

### Ada Greene

Recovered from poisoning; recounts drinking bouillon and feeling ill; expresses fear after learning of her mother's death.

### Sibella Greene

Reveals Von Blon visited her the previous night; announces she is leaving for Atlantic City; shows contempt for Ada.

### Ernest Heath

Reports Mrs. Greene's death; arranges for Sibella to be tailed and for Ada's protection.

### Hemming

Accuses Sibella of immoral conduct with Von Blon; departs the household permanently at noon.

## Key lines

> This knocks out our only prop... The possibility that the old lady was guilty was frightful to contemplate; though all along I’ve been trying to console myself with the thought that she was insane. Now, however, I almost wish our suspicions had proved true, for the possibilities that are left seem even more terrible.

Markham laments that Mrs. Greene's death removes the convenient theory of her guilt, leaving them facing a more rational and cold-blooded killer.

_Markham expresses despair over losing the suspect they had hoped was the murderer._

> She had been vicious and unnatural; she had thriven on hatred, and had made life a hell for everyone about her. It was better that her existence was over.

Van reflects that Mrs. Greene was a hateful woman whose death is no great loss to the world.

_Van's personal judgment of Mrs. Greene's character._

> I’m the only one standing between her and the Greene millions now.

Sibella coldly notes that Ada is the only obstacle to her inheriting the family fortune.

_Sibella acknowledges her potential financial motive._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_greene_murder_case_se/chapters/xxi-a-depleted-household
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