# The Middle Temple Murder — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Middle Temple Murder by J. S. Fletcher.

- [I: The Scrap of Grey Paper](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/i-the-scrap-of-grey-paper.md): On the morning of June 22, 1912, Frank Spargo, a sub-editor for the Watchman, stumbles upon a murder scene in Middle Temple Lane. A well-dressed elderly man is found dead in an entry, apparently struck from behind. The b
- [His First Brief](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/ii-his-first-brief.md): Spargo accompanies Detective-Sergeant Rathbury to visit Ronald Breton, whose name and address were found on a scrap of paper in the murdered man's pocket. Breton denies knowing the victim and agrees to view the body at t
- [III: The Clue of the Cap](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/iii-the-clue-of-the-cap.md): Spargo meets Ronald Breton at the Law Courts and is introduced to his fiancée Evelyn Aylmore and her sister Jessie. After Breton wins his first case, Spargo is introduced to Mr. Elphick, who is deeply interested in the m
- [IV: The Anglo-Orient Hotel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/iv-the-anglo-orient-hotel.md): Spargo, Rathbury, and Breton visit the Anglo-Orient Hotel near Waterloo Station, where they learn that John Marbury had checked in the previous morning, went out late with a tall, grey-bearded gentleman, and never return
- [V: Spargo Wishes to Specialize](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/v-spargo-wishes-to-specialize.md): Spargo and Breton discuss the murder case, with Spargo deciding to focus on the scrap of paper found on the body rather than the detective's line of inquiry. They visit Mr. Cardlestone, who initially shows irritation but
- [VI: Witness to a Meeting](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/vi-witness-to-a-meeting.md): Ronald Breton visits Frank Spargo at the Watchman office to congratulate him on his innovative write-up of the Marbury murder. Spargo reveals his singular goal: to find the murderer. A farmer, William Webster, arrives cl
- [Mr. Aylmore](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/vii-mr-aylmore.md): Spargo confirms that Mr. Aylmore was the man seen with Marbury on the night of the murder. He visits the Anglo-Orient Hotel, where a diamond is found in Marbury's room, and then meets Aylmore at his club. Aylmore explain
- [The Man from the Safe Deposit](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/viii-the-man-from-the-safe-deposit.md): Spargo meets with Detective Rathbury to share progress on the Marbury case. He reveals that Stephen Aylmore, a Member of Parliament, has been identified as the man who accompanied Marbury on the night of the murder. Aylm
- [IX: The Dealer in Rare Stamps](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/ix-the-dealer-in-rare-stamps.md): Spargo and Rathbury interview Mr. Myerst, who reveals that Marbury made a cryptic remark about being 'buried deep-down for many a year.' Spargo then visits stamp dealer James Criedir, who recounts Marbury's visit to his 
- [X: The Leather Box](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/x-the-leather-box.md): Spargo and Rathbury, with official authorization, open the leather box deposited by John Marbury at the London and Universal Safe Deposit, only to find it completely empty. The discovery deepens the mystery, as Myerst co
- [Mr. Aylmore Is Questioned](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xi-mr-aylmore-is-questioned.md): At the adjourned inquest, the evidence is recapitulated, leading to the testimony of Mr. Aylmore, M.P., who recounts his past acquaintance with the deceased John Marbury. Under cross-examination by Treasury Counsel, Aylm
- [XII: The New Witness](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xii-the-new-witness.md): At the inquest, a new witness, David Lyell, a Scottish traveller, testifies that he saw Mr. Aylmore with John Marbury near Waterloo Bridge on the night of the murder and followed them to the Embankment entrance of Middle
- [XIII: Under Suspicion](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xiii-under-suspicion.md): At the inquest, a porter named David Lyell testifies that he knew Stephen Aylmore only as 'Mr. Anderson' and saw him enter the Temple around midnight on June 21st–22nd with a man in a grey suit. Aylmore returns to the wi
- [XIV: The Silver Ticket](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xiv-the-silver-ticket.md): Spargo meets Jessie Aylmore for tea after the inquest, where she pleads with him to be careful in his reporting about her father. Spargo reassures her that he does not believe Stephen Aylmore is guilty of murder, though 
- [Market Milcaster](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xv-market-milcaster.md): Spargo visits the Octoneumenoi club to meet the old sporting journalist Crowfoot. He shows Crowfoot the silver ticket found on the body, and Crowfoot identifies it as one of the original silver stand tickets for the old 
- [XVI: The “Yellow Dragon”](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xvi-the-yellow-dragon.md): Spargo arrives in Market Milcaster and settles into the 'Yellow Dragon' Hotel. He observes the quiet, sleepy town and decides to investigate the silver ticket found in Marbury's leather box. In the evening, he witnesses 
- [Mr. Quarterpage Harks Back](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xvii-mr-quarterpage-harks-back.md): Spargo shows the silver ticket to a group of old gentlemen in Market Milcaster, causing great astonishment. Mr. Quarterpage explains that the ticket is one of fifty original burgess tickets from the town's defunct race-m
- [XVIII: An Old Newspaper](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xviii-an-old-newspaper.md): Spargo reads an old newspaper report of John Maitland's trial for embezzlement at Market Milcaster Quarter Sessions in 1891. The report details Maitland's position as trusted bank manager, his embezzlement of over £221,0
- [XIX: The Chamberlayne Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xix-the-chamberlayne-story.md): Spargo visits Mr. Quarterpage in Market Milcaster to learn more about John Maitland and the silver ticket. Quarterpage recounts Maitland's trial, his imprisonment, and the disappearance of his sister-in-law Jane Baylis w
- [XX: Maitland Alias Marbury](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xx-maitland-alias-marbury.md): Spargo travels to Market Milcaster and meets with Mr. Quarterpage, who provides crucial background on John Maitland and the Chamberlayne affair. Spargo becomes convinced that John Marbury and John Maitland are the same p
- [Arrested](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxi-arrested.md): Spargo receives two telegrams: one confirming that John Marbury was actually John Maitland, an ex-convict from Market Milcaster, and another from Rathbury announcing Aylmore's imminent arrest. He visits photographer Coop
- [XXII: The Blank Past](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxii-the-blank-past.md): Spargo reveals that John Marbury was actually John Maitland, an ex-convict who served time for embezzlement. He urges Ronald Breton to convince Mr. Aylmore to disclose his past, as Aylmore's silence is endangering him. T
- [XXIII: Miss Baylis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxiii-miss-baylis.md): Frank Spargo visits a boarding house in Bayswater to interview Miss Baylis, the sister-in-law of John Maitland. He learns of her deep hatred for Maitland, who she claims tricked her sister into marriage, treated her crue
- [XXIV: Mother Gutch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxiv-mother-gutch.md): Spargo, after questioning Miss Baylis about John Maitland and his son, is approached by an eavesdropping old woman, Mother Gutch, who claims to know a secret about Miss Baylis. They meet at the 'King of Madagascar' taver
- [Revelations](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxv-revelations.md): Spargo brings Mother Gutch to the Watchman office where, after negotiating a weekly annuity of three pounds, she reveals that John Maitland's son did not die but was taken away by a man named Elphick, who was to raise hi
- [XXVI: Still Silent](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxvi-still-silent.md): Spargo reveals to his editor and proprietor that Ronald Breton, engaged to Aylmore's daughter, was raised by Septimus Elphick—the same Elphick who took the boy from Jane Baylis according to Mother Gutch. He suspects Bret
- [XXVII: Mr. Elphick's Chambers](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxvii-mr-elphick-s-chambers.md): Spargo visits the Temple at night to confront Mr. Elphick. He observes Miss Baylis entering Elphick's chambers and later knocks boldly. Inside, Elphick initially treats Spargo with condescension, but when Spargo reveals 
- [XXVIII: Of Proved Identity](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxviii-of-proved-identity.md): Spargo confronts Miss Baylis and Septimus Elphick with the revelation that Ronald Breton is the son of John Maitland, an ex-convict. Elphick is deeply shaken and begs Spargo not to tell Ronald or print the story until th
- [XXIX: The Closed Doors](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxix-the-closed-doors.md): Spargo arrives at Elphick's chambers for a scheduled appointment, only to find the door locked and no response. Ronald Breton joins him and uses his key to enter, discovering the rooms in disarray with papers burned and 
- [XXX: Revelation](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxx-revelation.md): Spargo reveals to Ronald Breton that his true identity is John Maitland's son, and that his guardian Septimus Elphick and Nicholas Cardlestone have fled after being implicated in the murder. Spargo finds a sheet of rare 
- [XXXI: The Penitent Window-Cleaner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxxi-the-penitent-window-cleaner.md): Spargo places a thousand-pound reward notice in the Watchman for information about a walking-stick used in the murder. Edward Mollison, a window-cleaner, confesses to taking the stick from Mr. Aylmore's chambers and sell
- [XXXII: The Contents of the Coffin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxxii-the-contents-of-the-coffin.md): Spargo, Breton, Home Office officials, and a solicitor travel to Market Milcaster to exhume the grave of James Cartwright Chamberlayne. The coffin is opened at dawn and found to contain only sawdust and lead weights, con
- [XXXIII: Forestalled](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxxiii-forestalled.md): Spargo and Breton travel to the Yorkshire fells to find Elphick and Cardlestone, but learn at the 'Moor Cock' inn that a mysterious serious-faced man has already gone ahead to their cottage. They press on through a diffi
- [The Whip Hand](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-whip-hand.md): Spargo and Breton confront Myerst as he attempts to blackmail Elphick and Cardlestone at a remote moorland cottage. Breton disarms and ties up Myerst, recovering stolen cheques and securities. The police are summoned, an
- [Myerst Explains](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxxv-myerst-explains.md): Spargo and Breton confront Myerst, who reveals his knowledge of the murder and his past involvement with Chamberlayne (Cardlestone). Myerst claims he does not know who killed Maitland but possesses Maitland's papers and 
- [The Final Telegram](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxxvi-the-final-telegram.md): Myerst confesses to finding Maitland's body first and stripping it of valuables, accusing Cardlestone of murder. Elphick reveals the events of the night Maitland visited Cardlestone's rooms, including Jane Baylis's prese

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