# The Name Was Sullivan explained — The Man in Lower Ten

> Chapter companion for The Man in Lower Ten by Mary Roberts Rinehart.

## What happens

Lawrence Blakeley returns home injured from the train wreck and is nursed by Mrs. Klopton. He learns of mysterious lights in the empty house next door. McKnight visits, and Blakeley recounts the theft of the notes and his suspicions about a bronze-haired girl, though he conceals Alison West's identity. They discuss the murder and the possibility that Sullivan is the killer. Mrs. Klopton reveals that a man named Sullivan called long distance.

## Themes in this chapter

### Crime, Guilt, and Moral Ambiguity

Blakeley is under suspicion for murder, and the chapter explores the theft of the notes and the identity of the real killer, Sullivan.

### Deception and Hidden Agendas

Blakeley conceals his encounter with Alison West, and the mysterious lights in the empty house suggest hidden activities.

### Male Friendship and Loyalty

McKnight's concern for Blakeley and their collaborative discussion of the case highlight their bond.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Blakeley

Returns home injured, recounts the theft and his suspicions, and discusses the case with McKnight.

### Richey McKnight

Visits Blakeley, expresses concern, and theorizes about the murder and the stolen notes.

### Mrs. Klopton

Nurses Blakeley, reports strange lights in the empty house, and mentions a call from a man named Sullivan.

### Henry Pinckney Sullivan

Identified as the suspected killer; his name is mentioned in a long-distance call.

## Key lines

> I had my arm done up temporarily in Baltimore and took the next train home. I was pretty far gone when I stumbled out of a cab almost into the scandalized arms of Mrs. Klopton.

Blakeley got his arm treated in Baltimore and then took a train home, arriving in a weak state and nearly collapsing into Mrs. Klopton's arms.

_Describes Blakeley's return home after the wreck._

> The notes are gone, Rich... Stolen, although I believe the theft was incidental to something else.

Blakeley tells McKnight that the notes were stolen, but he thinks the theft was secondary to another motive.

_Reveals the loss of the crucial evidence._

> somebody called up about noon, Mr. Lawrence. It was long distance, and he said he would call again. The name was—Sullivan.

Mrs. Klopton informs Blakeley that a man named Sullivan called long distance around noon and plans to call again.

_Introduces a new lead in the case._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters/xi-the-name-was-sullivan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters