# The Summons explained — The Leavenworth Case

> Chapter companion for The Leavenworth Case by Anna Katharine Green.

## What happens

The narrator reads newspaper accounts of the murder, focusing on the missing maid Hannah. He attends the inquest and learns the verdict is murder by person or persons unknown. He visits Mary Leavenworth and persuades her to return home to support Eleanore. Later, he receives an urgent summons from Eleanore.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Truth

The narrator ponders the missing maid Hannah as a key witness, and the tension between what is known and what is hidden drives the chapter.

### Family and Loyalty

The narrator urges Mary to return home to support Eleanore, highlighting familial duty despite personal conflict.

## Character check-ins

### The Narrator

Reads newspaper accounts, attends inquest, visits Mary, and receives Eleanore's summons.

### Mary Leavenworth

Visited by the narrator; initially reluctant but agrees to return home to support Eleanore.

### Eleanore Leavenworth

Not seen directly but sends an urgent summons to the narrator; remains in her room after the inquest.

### Mr. Harwell

Informs the narrator of the inquest verdict; appears relieved.

### Mr. Gryce

Leaves the premises after the verdict; suspected of planning further action.

### Mr. Fobbs

Seen peering from a window across the street, suggesting surveillance.

## Key lines

> The detectives are upon the track of the missing girl, Hannah.

Police are searching for the missing maid, Hannah.

_Newspaper report indicates active pursuit of Hannah._

> Death by means of a pistol shot from the hand of some person unknown.

The jury ruled that the murder was committed by an unidentified shooter.

_Official inquest verdict._

> Come, Oh, come! I—

Please come immediately; I am desperate.

_Eleanore's urgent summons to the narrator._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xi-the-summons
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters