# A Night at the Laurels explained — The Man in Lower Ten

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

## What happens

The narrator and Hotchkiss travel to Cresson in a storm to investigate the Curtis estate, known as 'The Laurels.' After a difficult journey, they arrive at the dark, shuttered mansion, where they discover an open window and enter to find a candle that had been lit within the last ten minutes, suggesting recent occupancy.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Hidden Agendas

The narrator's mission to spy on Alison West and the mysterious circumstances at the Curtis estate highlight hidden truths and deceptive appearances.

### The Role of Chance and Coincidence

The storm, the horse's injury, and the discovery of the open window all contribute to a sense of chance guiding the investigation.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

Reluctantly accompanies Hotchkiss to Cresson; expresses dread and discomfort about spying on a woman.

### Wilson Budd Hotchkiss

Energetic detective who interrogates a priest on the train and leads the investigation at the Curtis estate.

### Alison West

Mentioned as part of the party that boarded the train with Mrs. Curtis and Sullivan; subject of the investigation.

### Mrs. Curtis

Wealthy widow whose estate 'The Laurels' is the destination; she and her brother Sullivan were believed killed on the Flier.

### Henry Pinckney Sullivan

Brother of Mrs. Curtis; mentioned as having lower berth seven on the train.

### Mr. Peck

Livery stable owner in Cresson who provides a horse and buggy for the journey.

## Key lines

> I had always held that a man who played the spy on a woman was beneath contempt.

The narrator believes spying on a woman is dishonorable.

_Reflects the narrator's moral conflict about the investigation._

> Within ten minutes, this candle has been burning. Look at the wax! And the wick! Both soft.

Hotchkiss deduces the candle was lit very recently.

_Indicates someone was in the house shortly before their arrival._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_man_in_lower_ten_se/chapters/xxiii-a-night-at-the-laurels
- 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