# III: Mr. Sheringham Is Puzzled explained — The Layton Court Mystery

> Chapter companion for The Layton Court Mystery by Anthony Berkeley.

## What happens

After the discovery of Victor Stanworth's body, Lady Stanworth announces that the police have been summoned. Roger Sheringham observes Major Jefferson's suspicious behavior, including his eagerness to move the body and his attempt to search the dead man's pockets. Roger also catches Mrs. Plant tampering with the safe. The chapter deepens the mystery surrounding the apparent suicide.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Deception Within Households

Jefferson's secretive actions and Mrs. Plant's tampering with the safe reveal hidden agendas among the household members.

### Appearance vs. Reality

The apparent suicide is called into question by Jefferson's suspicious behavior and the discovery of Mrs. Plant at the safe.

### The Role of the Amateur Detective

Roger Sheringham begins to piece together clues and question the official narrative, embodying the amateur detective archetype.

## Character check-ins

### Roger Sheringham

Observes Jefferson's suspicious actions and catches Mrs. Plant at the safe; becomes increasingly puzzled.

### Major Jefferson

Shows nervousness, tries to move the body, and searches Stanworth's pockets; later attempts to get rid of others.

### Mrs. Plant

Faints upon hearing the news, but is later discovered tampering with the safe in the library.

### Alexander Grierson

Accompanies Roger; is shocked by the sight of the body but recovers.

### Lady Stanworth

Calmly informs the group that the police are coming; retires to her room.

### Victor Stanworth

Found dead in the library with a gunshot wound; a suicide note is discovered.

## Key lines

> Why was Jefferson so infernally anxious to get rid of the four of us in such a hurry? Why? Why? Why?

Roger repeatedly questions why Jefferson was so eager to send everyone away.

_Highlights Roger's growing suspicion of Jefferson._

> I've seen people more cut up at the death of a man they've lived with for twenty years than that gentleman

Roger remarks that Graves, the butler, showed little emotion at his master's death.

_Suggests that Graves may have had a motive or was not genuinely affected._

> It's a remarkably reticent document

Roger comments that the suicide note is unusually vague about the reasons for the act.

_Implies that the note may be a fabrication or that the true cause is being hidden._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/iii-mr-sheringham-is-puzzled
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters