The Middle of Things · Chapter
XIV: The Ellingham Motto explained
Viner and Mr.
What happens
Viner and Mr. Pawle examine letters from the seventh Countess of Ellingham to her son, Lord Marketstoke, which came into Ashton's possession. They theorize that Wickham was the missing Lord Marketstoke, making Avice Wickham the probable rightful Countess of Ellingham. Pawle questions Avice about her father and learns Ashton gave her a locket bearing the Cave-Gray family motto 'Have and Hold,' confirming their theory. They conclude Ashton was murdered for papers proving Avice's identity.
Themes in this chapter
Identity and Secrecy
The chapter reveals that Avice Wickham may be the rightful Countess of Ellingham, a secret known only to Ashton and now pursued by Viner and Pawle.
Class and Inheritance
The discovery of the letters and locket ties Avice's identity to the Ellingham title and inheritance, highlighting class and succession issues.
Crime and Detection
Viner and Pawle deduce that Ashton was murdered for papers proving Avice's identity, advancing the investigation into the crime.
Characters to notice
- Richard Viner
Assists Pawle in examining the letters and proposes that Wickham was the missing Lord Marketstoke.
- Mr. Pawle
Discovers the letters linking Ashton to the missing Lord Marketstoke and identifies the locket's device and motto.
- Miss Wickham
Reveals she has twelve thousand pounds from her father and wears a locket given by Ashton with the Cave-Gray motto.
- Mrs. Killenhall
Recalls Ashton asking about the Ellingham succession case and mentions her knowledge of the peerage.
- Mr. Ashton
Deceased; his possession of the letters and locket suggests he knew the secret of Avice's identity.
Key passages
“In my opinion, Wickham was the missing Lord of Marketstoke!”
Viner suggests that Wickham is actually the lost Lord Marketstoke.
Key deduction linking Avice's father to the missing peer.
“That locket bears their device and motto. The device is a closed fist, grasping a handful of blades of wheat; the motto is 'Have and Hold.'”
Pawle identifies the locket's emblem as the Cave-Gray family crest with the motto 'Have and Hold.'
Confirms Avice's lineage through the locket.
“Ashton carried those papers on him, and that he was murdered for the possession of them!”
Viner believes Ashton was killed for the documents proving Avice's identity.
Central theory linking the murder to the inheritance secret.