# VI: Speculations explained — The Middle of Things

> Chapter companion for The Middle of Things by J. S. Fletcher.

## What happens

Mr. Pawle and Richard Viner discuss the mystery surrounding John Ashton's murder and the lack of information about his past. They learn that Miss Wickham has no papers to prove her identity and that Ashton was a reserved man who rarely spoke of his affairs. Fosdick and Stephens, two men who accompanied Ashton from Australia, arrive at Pawle's office. Miss Penkridge suggests that the murder's motive may be money and that the secret lies in Ashton's past. Pawle receives a cablegram from Melbourne confirming Ashton's respectable background but providing no information about Wickham.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Secrecy

Miss Wickham's lack of identifying papers and Ashton's secretive nature highlight the theme of hidden identities and unknown pasts.

### The Past Haunting the Present

Miss Penkridge suggests the murder's secret lies in Ashton's past, and the cablegram from Melbourne reveals a gap in his history.

### Crime and Detection

The chapter focuses on the investigative process: gathering information, interviewing witnesses, and theorizing about motives.

## Character check-ins

### Richard Viner

Engages with Mr. Pawle in investigating Ashton's murder; offers assistance to Miss Wickham; discusses the case with Miss Penkridge.

### Mr. Pawle

Ashton's solicitor; leads the investigation into Ashton's past; receives a cablegram from Melbourne and interviews Fosdick and Stephens.

### Miss Wickham

Ashton's ward; reveals she has no papers to prove her identity and that Ashton was secretive about his daily life.

### Mrs. Killenhall

Ashton's housekeeper; mentions Ashton's unexplained absence for several days.

### Miss Bethia Penkridge

Viner's aunt; offers shrewd observations about the murder, suggesting the motive is money and that the secret lies in Ashton's past.

### Langton Hyde

Mentioned as the young man accused of the murder; Mr. Pawle believes his story may be true.

## Key lines

> Now, it's a very curious thing, but Miss Wickham has no papers, has, in fact, nothing whatever to prove her identity.

It is strange that Miss Wickham lacks any documents to confirm who she is.

_Mr. Pawle highlights the lack of evidence regarding Miss Wickham's identity._

> The real thing to do, if you're to save him, is to find the real murderer.

To clear Hyde, the true killer must be discovered.

_Mr. Pawle emphasizes the need to find the actual murderer to exonerate Langton Hyde._

> Depend upon it, the real secret of this murder lies back in the past⁠—perhaps the far past.

The key to solving the murder is hidden in Ashton's history, possibly long ago.

_Miss Penkridge advises investigating Ashton's past to uncover the motive._

## Links

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