The Man in Lower Ten · Chapter
XIII: Faded Roses explained
Blakeley recovers at home under surveillance, visited by McKnight and later by Hotchkiss, who brings news that the murder of Simon Harrington is being reinvestigated by Pittsburg police, and reveals that the occupant of lower seven boarded
What happens
Blakeley recovers at home under surveillance, visited by McKnight and later by Hotchkiss, who brings news that the murder of Simon Harrington is being reinvestigated by Pittsburg police, and reveals that the occupant of lower seven boarded at Cresson, implicating Alison West.
Themes in this chapter
The Unreliability of Circumstantial Evidence
Hotchkiss's pillow evidence and the newspaper article revive the circumstantial case against Blakeley, despite the wreck destroying much of the original evidence.
Deception and Hidden Agendas
Blakeley is under surveillance by Johnson, and Hotchkiss's visit reveals that the occupant of lower seven boarded at Cresson, linking to Alison West's secret.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Blakeley
Recovering at home with a broken arm, composing letters to Miss West, and growing increasingly anxious as the murder investigation reopens.
- Richey McKnight
Visits daily, reports on the woman in Baltimore, plays double solitaire, and reveals that Johnson is watching Blakeley.
- Wilson Budd Hotchkiss
Survivor of the wreck who brings the pillow evidence and a newspaper article about the reopened murder case, and reveals lower seven was reserved from Cresson.
- Mr. Francis Johnson
Detective watching Blakeley from across the street; lifts his hat to Blakeley at the end of the chapter.
- Mrs. Klopton
Announces Hotchkiss's visit and later is told to throw out the dead roses.
Key passages
“I was in the house for a week. Much of that time I spent in composing and destroying letters of thanks to Miss West, and in growling at the doctor.”
Blakeley spent a week at home, writing and discarding thank-you notes to Alison West, and complaining to his doctor.
Highlights Blakeley's emotional preoccupation with Alison and his frustration with his recovery.
“To tell you the truth, Lollie, for the last two days he has been watching a well-known Washington attorney named Lawrence Blakeley. He's across the street now.”
McKnight reveals that detective Johnson has been surveilling Blakeley for two days from across the street.
Shows Blakeley is now a suspect under police observation.
“So the occupant of lower seven had got on the car at Cresson, probably with Alison West and her companion. There was someone she cared about enough to shield.”
Blakeley realizes the person in lower seven boarded at Cresson, likely with Alison West, and that she is protecting someone.
Deepens the mystery around Alison West's involvement and her motive for secrecy.