# The Strange Case explained — The Mind of Mr. J. G. Reeder

> Chapter companion for The Mind of Mr. J. G. Reeder by Edgar Wallace.

## What happens

Mr. Reeder investigates the murder of Lord Sellington, who was poisoned with aconitine after a heated argument with his nephew, Harry Carlin. The case involves a forged letter, a burnt will, and a complex web of deception. Reeder's past experience with the swindler Willie Eiter proves crucial, as he identifies Eiter as the true culprit behind the forgery and murder, leading to the arrest of Mr. Lassard, who is revealed to be Eiter.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Disguise

Willie Eiter adopts multiple aliases and roles, including that of Arthur Lassard, to perpetrate fraud and murder.

### Justice and Morality

Reeder's methodical investigation ensures that the true criminal is caught, despite the apparent suicide of the prime suspect.

### Greed and Materialism

The motive for the murder is financial gain, as Eiter seeks to inherit Lord Sellington's fortune through forgery and murder.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. J. G. Reeder

Investigates Lord Sellington's murder, uses his knowledge of criminal patterns and past cases to solve the crime.

### Lord Sellington

Found dead from aconitine poisoning; his will was burned, and he had a contentious relationship with his nephew.

### Mr. Harry Carlin

Lord Sellington's nephew and heir; suspected of murder but later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot.

### Mr. Arthur Lassard

Lord Sellington's secretary; revealed to be Willie Eiter, a known swindler and murderer.

### Willie Eiter

A criminal from Reeder's past, known for forgery and fraud; identified as the murderer due to his inability to spell 'able'.

### Miss Margaret Belman

A friend of Reeder who provided information about Harry Carlin and his wife.

## Key lines

> There is this identity to be discovered in every criminal, however ingenious he may be... there is a distinguishable weakness common to every character he affects, and especially is this observable in criminals who live by fraud and trickery.

Every criminal, no matter how clever, has a unique flaw that reveals their identity, particularly those who rely on deception.

_This principle guides Reeder's investigation and leads him to identify Eiter through his misspelling of 'able'._

> It was a very simple case really, sir... I remembered especially that he could not spell the word 'able,' and I recognised this peculiarity in our friend the moment I saw the letter.

Reeder explains that the case was straightforward because he noticed the suspect's inability to spell 'able,' a trait he remembered from a previous case.

_Reeder's attention to detail and memory of past criminals solves the murder._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mind_of_mr_j_g_reeder_se/chapters/the-strange-case
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mind_of_mr_j_g_reeder_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mind_of_mr_j_g_reeder_se/chapters