The Murder of Roger Ackroyd · Chapter
VI: The Tunisian Dagger explained
Dr.
What happens
Dr. Sheppard meets Inspector Davis, who questions him about the stranger seen near the back door. The inspector reveals that Parker has mentioned blackmail, prompting Sheppard to confess the full story of the evening, including the blackmail letter. The inspector sees this as a motive for the murder. The Tunisian dagger is identified as the murder weapon by Major Blunt, and it is revealed that it was normally kept in the silver table in the drawing room. Dr. Sheppard recalls hearing the silver table lid shut before dinner. Miss Russell confirms she shut the open silver table but did not notice the dagger. The inspector suspects Parker and plans to involve the chief constable. Later, Geoffrey Raymond jokes about the investigation, and Dr. Sheppard returns home to share the events with Caroline, who dismisses the suspicion of Parker.
Themes in this chapter
Secrecy and Blackmail
Dr. Sheppard reveals the blackmail letter, providing a motive for the murder and highlighting the theme of hidden secrets.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
The stranger's disguised voice and the uncertainty about the dagger's presence in the silver table underscore the theme of deceptive appearances.
Characters to notice
- Dr. Sheppard
Narrates the chapter, confesses the blackmail story to Inspector Davis, and recalls hearing the silver table lid shut before dinner.
- Inspector Davis
Questions Dr. Sheppard and the servants, suspects Parker of the murder, and plans to involve the chief constable.
- Parker
Reported to have mentioned blackmail; suspected by the inspector of the murder and of listening at the door.
- Major Blunt
Identifies the Tunisian dagger as the murder weapon, confirming it was from the silver table.
- Geoffrey Raymond
Excitedly identifies the dagger, jokes about the investigation, and provides fingerprints to the inspector.
Key passages
“I met the inspector just coming from the door which led into the kitchen quarters.”
Dr. Sheppard encounters Inspector Davis as he exits the kitchen area.
Sets the scene for the inspector's questioning of the servants.
“I’m rather glad you’ve brought the matter up. I’ve been trying to decide whether to make a clean breast of things or not.”
Dr. Sheppard decides to confess the blackmail story to the inspector.
Reveals the motive for the murder.
“It is the Tunisian dagger.”
Geoffrey Raymond identifies the murder weapon as the Tunisian dagger.
Key piece of evidence linking the weapon to the house.
“Parker! said my sister. Fiddlesticks! That inspector must be a perfect fool.”
Caroline dismisses the inspector's suspicion of Parker as foolish.
Shows Caroline's skepticism and her own theories about the case.