# XIV: Another Richmond in the Field explained — The Mystery of a Hansom Cab

> Chapter companion for The Mystery of a Hansom Cab by Fergus Hume.

## What happens

Calton and Kilsip discuss the murder case, with Kilsip eager to prove Gorby wrong. Calton reveals that Fitzgerald refuses to provide an alibi because he was visiting a dying woman who had sent for him. They deduce that the letter summoning Fitzgerald came from stolen stationery linked to a burglary at Talbot Villa, Toorak, and decide to investigate Mother Guttersnipe's crib in the slums.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Deception

Fitzgerald's refusal to reveal his alibi and the hidden letter point to secrets surrounding the dying woman's message.

### Urban Life and Crime

The chapter highlights the connection between Melbourne's slums and criminal activities like burglary and murder.

## Character check-ins

### Duncan Calton

Calton hires Kilsip to investigate the letter and the slum connection, revealing Fitzgerald's secret visit to a dying woman.

### Mr. Kilsip

Kilsip agrees to help Calton, motivated by rivalry with Gorby, and deduces the link to the burglary at Talbot Villa.

### Brian Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald is the accused who refuses to reveal his whereabouts, having visited a dying woman who sent for him.

### Mr. Gorby

Gorby is Kilsip's rival; he arrested Fitzgerald and is confident in his guilt.

### Mother Guttersnipe

Her crib in Little Bourke Street is where the stolen swag from the Toorak burglary was hidden.

### Malcolm Royston

The cabman Royston is mentioned as a witness who can place Fitzgerald at Russell Street at one o'clock.

## Key lines

> There were four men engaged in that burglary, and they hid the swag at Mother Guttersnipe’s crib, in a lane off Little Bourke Street

Four burglars stashed the stolen goods at Mother Guttersnipe's hideout in a Little Bourke Street alley.

_Calton explains the origin of the letter paper to Kilsip._

> He refuses absolutely to say where he was on that night.

Fitzgerald will not disclose his whereabouts during the murder.

_Calton reveals Fitzgerald's stubborn silence to Kilsip._

> He went to see a dying woman, who wished to tell him something.

Fitzgerald visited a dying woman who had an important message for him.

_Calton explains the reason for Fitzgerald's secret meeting._

## Links

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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_a_hansom_cab_se/chapters