# XVIII explained — The Murder at the Vicarage

> Chapter companion for The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie.

## What happens

The inquest into Colonel Protheroe's murder is held at the Blue Boar. Lawrence Redding and Anne Protheroe give evidence, and the pistol is identified by Mrs. Archer. The coroner's verdict is murder by person or persons unknown. Afterward, the narrator accompanies Dr. Stone to the station, where he departs for London, and they discuss the case and Lawrence Redding's character.

## Themes in this chapter

### Gossip and Community

The village's excitement and speculation about the murder are evident in the comments overheard at the inquest.

### Appearance vs. Reality

Mrs. Archer's confident identification of the pistol contrasts with her earlier vagueness, highlighting the gap between public testimony and private uncertainty.

## Character check-ins

### The Narrator

Attends the inquest and later accompanies Dr. Stone to the station.

### Lawrence Redding

Gives evidence at the inquest, identifying the pistol as his.

### Anne Protheroe

Gives evidence at the inquest about her last sighting of her husband.

### Dr. Stone

The narrator accompanies him to the station; he departs for London.

### Miss Cram

Present in Dr. Stone's room, typing; comments on the inquest and Dr. Stone's habits.

### Mrs. Archer

Witness at the inquest who identifies the pistol as belonging to Lawrence Redding.

## Key lines

> The local excitement was, I need hardly say, tremendous. There had been no murder in St. Mary Mead for at least fifteen years.

The village was in a state of high excitement, as there hadn't been a murder in St. Mary Mead for over fifteen years.

_Highlights the rarity and sensational nature of the crime in the community._

> Mrs. Archer was shown the pistol and recognized it as the one she had seen in Mr. Redding’s sitting-room 'over against the bookcase, he kept it, lying about.'

Mrs. Archer identified the pistol as the one she had seen lying on a shelf in Lawrence Redding's sitting room.

_Key evidence linking the murder weapon to Lawrence Redding._

## Links

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