The Murder at the Vicarage · Chapter
XXVII explained
The Vicar returns home alone, and Colonel Melchett visits with news that Protheroe's unfinished letter is a forgery.
What happens
The Vicar returns home alone, and Colonel Melchett visits with news that Protheroe's unfinished letter is a forgery. The Vicar recalls that Miss Marple had suspected as much. A mysterious telephone call comes in, with a voice hysterically confessing to the murder, but the call is cut off. The Vicar thinks he recognizes the voice and goes out to investigate.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Secrets
The revelation that Protheroe's letter is a forgery deepens the mystery and underscores the theme of hidden truths.
Appearance vs. Reality
What appeared to be Protheroe's own writing is now proven false, challenging initial assumptions about the crime.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
Returns home alone, receives Melchett, learns of the forgery, and answers the mysterious phone call.
- Colonel Melchett
Visits the Vicarage, shares the news that Protheroe's letter is a forgery, and tries to trace the telephone call.
- Miss Marple
Mentioned as having earlier said the note was 'all wrong,' which now proves prescient.
- Colonel Protheroe
The victim; his unfinished letter is revealed to be a forgery.
- Anne Protheroe
Mentioned as having remarked at the time that the handwriting was not like her husband's.
Key passages
“I've got one bit of news for you, Clement. Most astounding thing you've ever heard. But let that go for the minute. How are things going down here? Any more old ladies hot on the scent?”
Melchett teases that he has startling news but first asks how the investigation is progressing, sarcastically referring to the elderly women sleuths.
Melchett's casual tone contrasts with the gravity of the forgery revelation.
“Confound the woman, she couldn't know more about it if she had committed the murder herself.”
Melchett expresses frustration that Miss Marple's intuition about the letter seems almost too accurate.
Highlights Miss Marple's uncanny insight and Melchett's irritation.
“I want to confess. My God, I want to confess.”
An unidentified caller hysterically declares a desire to confess to the murder.
The call is cut off, adding suspense and a new twist to the investigation.