# Chapter VI explained — The Lost Stradivarius

> Chapter companion for The Lost Stradivarius by John Meade Falkner.

## What happens

In the autumn term, John Maltravers and Mr. Gaskell resume their musical studies, noting that the wicker chair no longer creaks during the gagliarda. They begin to doubt their earlier supernatural experiences. John discovers that his bookcase is heated by a chimney flue, and with Gaskell's advice, moves it. On the evening of November 14th, after playing music, John notices a picture hanging askew and, while adjusting it, discovers a hidden panel in the wall. Forcing it open, he finds a violin covered in dust and cobwebs.

## Themes in this chapter

### Supernatural and the Occult

The lingering mystery of the apparition and the chair's silence, leading to doubt and eventual discovery of a hidden object.

### Music as a Dangerous Force

The gagliarda and the 'Areopagita' suite are central to the events, with the echo of the gagliarda heard just before the discovery.

### The Power of the Past

The hidden panel and the violin suggest a sealed history that resurfaces, influencing the present.

## Character check-ins

### John Maltravers

Discovers the hidden violin behind a panel in his room.

### Mr. Gaskell

Advises moving the bookcase and notices the acoustical improvement; present during the discovery.

### Constance Temple

Thought of by John while sitting by the fire.

## Key lines

> He rebuked my brother for having agitated me unnecessarily by telling me at all of so idle a tale; and was pleased to write a few lines to me at Worth Maltravers, felicitating me on my shrewdness of perception, but speaking banteringly of the whole matter.

Gaskell scolded John for upsetting me with the story, but wrote to me jokingly, praising my insight.

_Gaskell dismisses the supernatural event as a trivial matter._

> While you were playing the gagliarda tonight, I could almost have imagined that someone in an adjacent room was playing the same air with a sordino, so distinct was the echo.

Gaskell remarks that during the gagliarda, he heard an echo as if someone else was playing the same tune with a mute.

_The echo hints at a hidden presence or acoustic anomaly._

> He put one hand behind the picture to steady it, and as he did so his finger struck a very slight projection in the wall.

While adjusting the picture, John felt a small bump on the wall behind it.

_This projection leads to the discovery of the hidden panel._

> The cupboard was small but very deep, and in the obscure light seemed at first to contain nothing except a small heap of dust and cobwebs.

The cupboard appeared empty except for dust and cobwebs, but was actually deep.

_Initial disappointment before finding the violin._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/vi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters