The Middle of Things · Chapter
XXI: The Marseilles Meeting explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Perkwite, a barrister recently returned from the Continent, meets with Mr. Pawle and Richard Viner to reveal that he spent time with Ashton in Marseilles three months prior. Ashton confided that Lord Marketstoke had lived in Australia under the name Wickham, married in his own name, and had a daughter, Avice Wickham, who is the rightful heir to the Ellingham title and estates. Ashton carried the crucial papers in a pocketbook, which have since been stolen. Perkwite suggests he testify at the adjourned inquest to expose the claimant who now holds the stolen documents. Viner considers attending Hyde's remand hearing, suspecting the mastermind behind the conspiracy might appear.
Themes in this chapter
Identity and Secrecy
Lord Marketstoke's hidden identity as Wickham in Australia, and the secret kept by Ashton and another man, are central to the chapter.
Class and Inheritance
The revelation that Avice Wickham is the rightful Countess of Ellingham highlights the class and inheritance stakes of the mystery.
Crime and Detection
Perkwite's testimony and the plan to trap the claimant at the inquest advance the detective work surrounding Ashton's murder.
Characters to notice
- Richard Viner
Present during Perkwite's revelation; considers attending Hyde's hearing to spot the mastermind.
- Mr. Pawle
Old lawyer who receives Perkwite's information and agrees to the plan for the inquest.
- Mr. Roland Perkwite
Barrister who met Ashton in Marseilles and learned the truth about Lord Marketstoke's identity and Avice's claim.
- Mr. Ashton
Deceased; revealed to have been the confidant of Lord Marketstoke and guardian of the secret papers.
- Miss Wickham
Avice Wickham is identified as the rightful Countess of Ellingham based on the papers Ashton showed Perkwite.
- Langton Hyde
Mentioned as being brought before the magistrate on remand; Viner hopes he might identify the conspirator.
Key passages
“I suggest that I should come forward as a witness and should prove that Ashton showed certain papers relating to the Ellingham peerage to me at Marseilles; I can tell the story, as a witness.”
Perkwite proposes to testify at the inquest that Ashton showed him documents about the Ellingham peerage in Marseilles.
Perkwite's plan to use the inquest to expose the claimant.
“He said that Marketstoke, after a final quarrel with his father, left England in such a fashion that no one could trace him, taking with him the fortune which he had inherited from his mother, and eventually settled in Australia, where he henceforth lived under the name of Wickham.”
Ashton explained that Marketstoke quarreled with his father, left England untraced, and settled in Australia as Wickham.
Key background on Lord Marketstoke's disappearance.
“He left it to Ashton—in whom he evidently had the most absolute confidence—as to whether this girl's claim to the title and estates should be set up.”
Marketstoke entrusted Ashton with the decision of whether to pursue Avice's claim to the title and estates.
Ashton's discretionary power over the inheritance.