The Layton Court Mystery · Chapter
XXVII: Mr. Sheringham Hits the Mark explained
Roger Sheringham reveals to Alec Grierson that he has solved the murder of Victor Stanworth.
What happens
Roger Sheringham reveals to Alec Grierson that he has solved the murder of Victor Stanworth. He explains that the key clue was a strand of hair on the settee, which did not belong to Mrs. Plant but to a second woman in the library. From this, Roger deduces that the killer is a strong, burly man, and he ultimately confronts Alec, asking why he killed Stanworth. The chapter ends with the party leaving Layton Court and Roger disposing of the hair evidence.
Themes in this chapter
Fair Play in Detective Fiction
Roger presents his reasoning step by step, allowing the reader to follow the clues, adhering to the fair play tradition.
Justice and Morality
Roger decides to let the killer go free, arguing that Stanworth deserved death, highlighting a personal moral code over legal justice.
Secrecy and Deception Within Households
The murder is covered up, and the household's secrets (blackmail, hidden relationships) are kept from the police.
Characters to notice
- Roger Sheringham
Roger reveals his solution to the murder, explaining his reasoning and confronting Alec.
- Alexander Grierson
Alec listens to Roger's deductions and is ultimately accused of the murder.
- Mrs. Plant
Mentioned as a source of information about Stanworth's blackmail and as having darker hair than the clue hair.
- Major Jefferson
Roger previously suspected Jefferson but now dismisses him; they part amicably.
- Victor Stanworth
The victim, described as a scoundrel who blackmailed Mrs. Plant and others.
- Lady Stanworth
Mentioned as one of the people with reason to kill Stanworth.
Key passages
“I’ve really solved it this time.”
Roger insists that he has finally figured out the mystery.
Roger's confidence after his earlier mistaken suspicion of Jefferson.
“The key to the whole mystery was that there was a second woman in the library that night.”
The crucial clue is that an unknown woman was present in the library.
Roger's deduction based on the hair found on the settee.
“Why exactly did you kill Stanworth?”
Roger directly asks Alec why he committed the murder.
The climactic accusation at the end of the chapter.