The Mystery of 31, New Inn · Chapter
The Portrait explained
Jervis struggles to focus on the Blackmore case, haunted by the circumstances of the will.
What happens
Jervis struggles to focus on the Blackmore case, haunted by the circumstances of the will. Thorndyke has Polton enlarge and mount signatures from cheques for comparison, adding a signature from the first will. He points out a striking pattern: early and later signatures are identical, but intermediate ones show a different style, suggesting forgery. Thorndyke also reveals a photograph of Mr. Graves from the Kennington case, which Jervis identifies. He discloses that Dr. H. Weiss ordered morphine from Darmstadt and hints that Weiss and the coachman may be the same person. Thorndyke urges Jervis to examine the reed pieces and spectacles from the empty house to form a coherent theory.
Themes in this chapter
Scientific Method and Forensic Investigation
Thorndyke systematically compares enlarged signatures to detect forgery, and uses physical evidence (reed pieces, spectacles) to build a theory.
Deception and Concealment
The signature discrepancies suggest forgery; Thorndyke suspects Weiss and the coachman are the same person, indicating deliberate disguise.
Characters to notice
- John Thorndyke
Directs the investigation, analyzes signature photographs, reveals the photograph of Graves, and discusses the Kennington case with Jervis.
- Dr. Jervis
Narrates the chapter, assists Polton with photographs, compares signatures, identifies Graves from the photograph, and is tasked by Thorndyke to analyze evidence from the empty house.
- Polton
Works steadily on enlarging and mounting the signature photographs, delivering the finished pack to Thorndyke.
- Mr. Graves
Identified by Jervis from a photograph produced by Thorndyke, linking him to the Kennington case.
- H. Weiss
Discussed as having ordered morphine from Darmstadt; Thorndyke suspects he may be the same person as the coachman.
Key passages
“The state of mind which Thorndyke had advised me to cultivate was one that did not come easily.”
Jervis finds it difficult to maintain the detached, analytical mindset Thorndyke recommended.
Jervis's struggle with objectivity is a recurring theme.
“It is a very simple fact and very obvious, but yet, as I have said, very significant.”
Thorndyke points out an easily overlooked but crucial detail in the signature series.
Highlights Thorndyke's keen observational skills.
“I think it can, and I think it is.”
Thorndyke agrees that the photograph is likely of Mr. Graves.
Confirms the identification linking Graves to the Kennington case.