The Middle of Things · Chapter
XXV: Through the Telephone explained
Viner receives a phone call from Felpham, who reveals that Hyde insists the man calling himself Cave is actually the actor Nugent Starr.
What happens
Viner receives a phone call from Felpham, who reveals that Hyde insists the man calling himself Cave is actually the actor Nugent Starr. Felpham plans to find another actor, George Bellingham, to confirm the identification. Miss Penkridge, suspicious of Cave, leaves to investigate a clue at a stationer's. Viner then receives a call from Mrs. Killenhall, who asks him to meet her and Miss Wickham at an address in Whitechapel. Upon arriving, he is led into a quiet house and, after being shown into a back room, hears the door lock behind him.
Themes in this chapter
Identity and Secrecy
The central question of whether Cave is an impostor or Nugent Starr drives the chapter, with characters doubting who is who.
Crime and Detection
Felpham and Miss Penkridge pursue clues and suspects, while Viner is drawn into a potentially dangerous situation.
Characters to notice
- Richard Viner
Receives phone calls from Felpham and Mrs. Killenhall, discusses developments with Miss Penkridge, and travels to Whitechapel where he is locked in a room.
- Mr. Pawle
Not directly present in this chapter.
- Langton Hyde
Persists that the man calling himself Cave is Nugent Starr; his sisters visit Viner.
- Miss Bethia Penkridge
Suspicious of Cave, she leaves to investigate a clue at Bigglesforth the stationer's.
- Felpham
Telephones Viner with news that Hyde identifies Cave as Nugent Starr; plans to find George Bellingham.
- Mrs. Killenhall
Calls Viner to meet her and Miss Wickham in Whitechapel; leads Viner into a house where he is locked in.
- Miss Wickham
Present with Mrs. Killenhall in the Whitechapel house, looking anxious.
Key passages
“Viner! ... Is that man Cave still with you? ... I believe he's a rank impostor!”
Felpham calls Viner to ask if Cave is still there, declaring his belief that Cave is a fraud.
Felpham's suspicion sets the chapter's main conflict.
“My lunch can wait—I've had a biscuit and a glass of sherry. I'm going round to Bigglesforth the stationer's, to follow up that clue I suggested just now.”
Miss Penkridge decides to skip lunch and investigate a clue at the stationer's shop.
Shows Miss Penkridge's determination and independent detective work.
“Can you run down at once and join us? So sorry to trouble you, but we really do want a gentleman here.”
Mrs. Killenhall asks Viner to come quickly to Whitechapel because they need a man's help.
Leads to Viner's entrapment in the locked room.