# XXIII explained — The Murder at the Vicarage

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

## What happens

The narrator and Miss Marple investigate the motive for Colonel Protheroe's murder, discovering that he had arranged for a valuation of his silver, which could have exposed Dr. Stone's theft. A suitcase containing the stolen silver is found, clearing Stone of murder but raising Miss Marple's doubts about the timing. The narrator later explores a trail in the woods, suspecting it was made by Stone or Miss Cram, and finds a disturbed clearing.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Secrets

Dr. Stone's theft of the silver and his imposture as an archaeologist are uncovered, revealing a secret scheme.

### Appearance vs. Reality

Dr. Stone appears to be a respected archaeologist but is actually a thief; Miss Marple questions whether his apparent innocence in the murder is real.

## Character check-ins

### The Narrator

Investigates the valuation of Old Hall's contents and explores a trail in the woods, suspecting Dr. Stone or Miss Cram.

### Miss Marple

Suggests that the silver theft might have been covered up by copies, raising doubts about Dr. Stone's innocence in the murder.

### Anne Protheroe

Confirms to the narrator that Colonel Protheroe had arranged for a valuation of Old Hall's contents.

### Inspector Slack

Discovers the stolen silver in a suitcase and concludes Dr. Stone is not involved in the murder.

### Griselda

Declines to join the narrator on his detour to the barrow, as she has things to do at home.

### Constable Hurst

In charge of searching the barrow for a cache, dismisses Miss Marple's sense of time.

## Key lines

> I see your idea,” I said. “I think we ought to find out for certain.” I went once more to the telephone. In a few minutes I was through to Old Hall and speaking to Anne Protheroe.

The narrator agrees with Miss Marple's suggestion to verify the valuation and calls Anne Protheroe to confirm.

_The narrator acts on Miss Marple's suspicion about the valuation motive._

> So that was the game,” he muttered. “Robbery. But I can’t make it out. There’s been no mention of these things being missing.”

Inspector Slack realizes the silver was stolen but is puzzled that no one reported it missing.

_Slack connects the suitcase to the theft but notes the lack of a missing items report._

> It really would seem so,” said Miss Marple. “Although one never can be quite certain, can one?”

Miss Marple agrees that Dr. Stone seems cleared of murder but expresses lingering doubt.

_Miss Marple's characteristic skepticism about apparent conclusions._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters/xxiii
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_murder_at_the_vicarage_se/chapters