The Middle of Things · Chapter
VII: What Was the Secret? explained
Viner and Pawle interview two Australian witnesses, Fosdick and Stephens, who reveal that Ashton claimed to possess a secret affecting one of the first families in England.
What happens
Viner and Pawle interview two Australian witnesses, Fosdick and Stephens, who reveal that Ashton claimed to possess a secret affecting one of the first families in England. They believe Ashton was murdered to suppress this secret. Pawle advises Viner to instruct Hyde's solicitor, Felpham, to ensure Hyde testifies at the inquest. At the resumed inquest, Hyde's confident testimony and the Australians' evidence impress the court, leading to an adjournment and growing public curiosity about Ashton's secret.
Themes in this chapter
Truth vs. Fiction
The Australians' testimony introduces a secret that may be fact or fabrication, casting doubt on the official narrative.
Crime and Detection
The investigation shifts as new evidence suggests a motive beyond robbery, pointing to a calculated murder.
Secrecy and Mystery
Ashton's undisclosed secret becomes the central enigma, driving the plot and characters' actions.
Characters to notice
- Richard Viner
Continues to advocate for Hyde's innocence; interviews the Australians with Pawle and later consults Felpham.
- Mr. Pawle
Hosts the Australians, receives their testimony, and advises Viner on legal strategy to help Hyde.
- Fosdick
Australian from Melbourne who, with Stephens, reveals Ashton's boast about a secret affecting a first family.
- Stephens
Australian companion of Fosdick; confirms Ashton used the word 'romantic' to describe the secret.
- Inspector Drillford
Skeptical of Viner's efforts; challenges him to find the mysterious man Hyde described.
- Felpham
Hyde's solicitor; agrees to have Hyde testify at the inquest and believes the mysterious man is the murderer.
Key passages
“He said that he was in possession—sole possession—of a most extraordinary secret, the revelation of which would affect one of the first families in England, and he was going to bring it out as soon as he'd got settled down in London.”
Ashton claimed to hold a unique secret that would impact a prominent English family, which he planned to reveal after settling in London.
Fosdick recounts Ashton's confidence about a secret that may be the motive for his murder.
“Our notion is that Ashton was murdered by somebody who didn't want that secret to come out.”
Fosdick theorizes that Ashton was killed to prevent the secret from being disclosed.
This introduces the central theory that the murder was premeditated to suppress information.
“A man who knew what he was doing. How long do you suppose it would take to strike the life out of a man and to snatch a few valuables from his clothing? Pooh! to a hand such as this evidently was, a minute.”
Felpham describes the murderer as a cool, efficient professional who could kill and rob in under a minute.
Felpham's assessment reinforces the idea of a calculated killer, not a panicked thief.