# XXIII: Miss Baylis explained — The Middle Temple Murder

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

## What happens

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 cruelly, and robbed them of their inheritance. She reveals that Maitland's son died while in her care, and that she showed Maitland the door when he came to ask for the boy after his release from prison. Spargo confirms that the murdered man Marbury was indeed Maitland.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Secrecy

Spargo confirms that the murdered man Marbury was actually John Maitland, revealing a hidden identity central to the mystery.

### Family and Loyalty

Miss Baylis's fierce hatred of Maitland contrasts with her care for his son, highlighting fractured family bonds and conflicting loyalties.

### The Past Haunting the Present

Maitland's criminal past and his treatment of the Baylis family continue to affect Miss Baylis's present life and the investigation.

## Character check-ins

### Frank Spargo

Visits Miss Baylis in Bayswater to question her about John Maitland; learns of her intense hatred for Maitland and the fate of Maitland's son.

### Jane Baylis

Tall, masculine woman with white hair and dark eyes; expresses vehement dislike of John Maitland, accusing him of tricking her sister into marriage and robbing them; reveals that Maitland's son died in her care.

### John Maitland

Referred to as a thoroughly bad and unprincipled man; his son died while in Miss Baylis's care; his identity as the murdered man Marbury is confirmed.

### John Marbury

Identified by Spargo as the murdered man who was actually John Maitland.

### Mr. Cooper

Mentioned as the photographer in Market Milcaster who provided information to Spargo.

## Key lines

> I had⁠—and I have,” she answered. “He tricked my sister into a marriage with him when he knew that she would rather have married an honest man who worshipped her; he treated her with quiet, infernal cruelty; he robbed her and me of the small fortunes our father left us.

Miss Baylis states that Maitland deceived her sister into marriage, treated her cruelly, and stole their inheritance.

_Reveals the deep personal animosity Miss Baylis holds toward Maitland._

> I saw him, for he forced himself upon me⁠—I could not help myself. He was in my presence before I was aware that he had even been released.

Miss Baylis says Maitland came to her uninvited after his release from prison.

_Indicates Maitland's persistence and Miss Baylis's unwillingness to see him._

> No⁠—the boy was dead.

Miss Baylis reveals that Maitland's son had died.

_Key revelation about the fate of Maitland's child._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxiii-miss-baylis
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters