# The Back Way explained — The Middle of Things

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

## What happens

Viner and Miss Wickham find themselves trapped in a well-furnished room after being lured by Mrs. Killenhall under the pretense of meeting Dr. Martincole. Viner discovers a locked outer door and a window facing a blank wall, leading him to suspect foul play. He notices the room's expensive furnishings, inconsistent with an East End doctor's practice, and suspects a double life. After finding a hidden staircase, they escape through a back entrance, encountering Perkwite and Millwaters, who reveal that Carless and Lord Ellingham are at the front. Viner hurries Miss Wickham away to her bank before it closes.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance vs. Reality

The shabby exterior of the district contrasts with the luxurious interior of the room, and Mrs. Killenhall's seemingly benign role masks a trap.

### Identity and Secrecy

Viner suspects Dr. Martincole leads a double life, and Mrs. Killenhall's veiled attendance at court suggests hidden motives.

### Crime and Detection

Viner's investigation of the locked room, hidden staircase, and suspicious circumstances reflects detective work.

## Character check-ins

### Richard Viner

Suspicious of the trap, discovers hidden staircase, and leads Miss Wickham to safety.

### Miss Wickham

Lured by Mrs. Killenhall, remains calm, and follows Viner's lead.

### Mrs. Killenhall

Disappears after locking Viner and Miss Wickham in; suspected of deception.

### Mr. Roland Perkwite

Appears at the back entrance with Millwaters, informing Viner of Carless and Lord Ellingham's presence.

### Millwaters

Accompanies Perkwite at the back entrance, points out Carless at a window.

### Mr. Carless

Reported to be at the front with Lord Ellingham and detectives.

## Key lines

> Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall’s retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.

Viner immediately checked the door after hearing a lock-like sound when Mrs. Killenhall left.

_Highlights Viner's suspicion and the initial sense of entrapment._

> “It’s just as I supposed,” he remarked quietly. “We’re trapped! Anyway, the door of that anteroom is locked⁠—and it’s a strong lock. There’s something wrong.”

Viner confirms they are locked in and suspects foul play.

_Key moment establishing the chapter's tension._

> “Do you know what I think? I think this man is some West End man, who for purposes of his own has this place down here⁠—a man who probably lives a double life, and may possibly be mixed up in some nefarious practices.”

Viner speculates that Dr. Martincole is a wealthy man using the East End location for secret activities.

_Reveals Viner's deductive reasoning and the theme of hidden identities._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters/xxvii-the-back-way
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_of_things_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_of_things_se/chapters