The Midnight Guest · Chapter
No. 1 Fitzjohn Square explained
Ravenspur accompanies the distraught Mrs.
What happens
Ravenspur accompanies the distraught Mrs. Delahay to the Grand Hotel, then proceeds to the crime scene at Fitzjohn Square. There, Inspector Dallas reveals that the electric cable was deliberately cut, suggesting the murderer was present while Ravenspur was in the house. A torn photograph of a woman, found clenched in Delahay's hand, points to a secret appointment and a possible female involvement.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Mystery
The chapter focuses on the murder investigation, the cut cable, and the torn photograph as key clues.
Secrecy and Deception
Delahay's secret late-night appointment and the hidden photograph suggest a web of deceit.
Characters to notice
- Lord Ravenspur
Accompanies Mrs. Delahay to the hotel, then visits the crime scene and discusses evidence with Inspector Dallas.
- Mrs. Delahay
In a state of shock, she is given a sedative by a doctor at the Grand Hotel.
- Inspector Dallas
Leads the investigation at Fitzjohn Square, shows Ravenspur the cut cable and the torn photograph found in Delahay's hand.
- Luigi Silva
Not directly present, but the glass stiletto mentioned by Dallas is associated with Corsican weapons, hinting at Silva's potential involvement.
Key passages
“It was as if thousands of strange rough hands were pressing upon the still bleeding wound.”
The public's morbid fascination felt like an assault on the fresh tragedy.
Ravenspur's perception of the crowd's reaction to the murder.
“The cable had been clean cut with some sharp instrument, a fracture which must have been recently made, for the main wire to the cable gleamed like gold.”
The electric cable was neatly sliced, and the fresh cut showed shiny copper, proving it was done recently.
Inspector Dallas demonstrates that the murderer was present while Ravenspur was in the house.
“In the hand of the dead man we found something that might be useful to us.”
The victim was clutching a clue that could aid the investigation.
Dallas reveals the torn photograph found in Delahay's grip.