# The Old Man in the Corner — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Old Man in the Corner by Baroness Orczy.

- [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/dedication.md): The author dedicates the book to their dear Uncle and Aunt, Count and Countess Wass of Czege, in remembrance of happy days spent in Transylvania in October 1908.
- [The Old Man in the Corner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/the-old-man-in-the-corner.md): Polly Burton, a journalist, encounters an eccentric old man in a corner of a restaurant who claims to have solved famous unsolved mysteries through logic and observation. He recounts the details of several cases, includi
- [I: The Fenchurch Street Mystery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/i-the-fenchurch-street-mystery.md): Polly Burton, a journalist for the Evening Observer, encounters the eccentric Old Man in the Corner at an Aërated Bread Company shop. He challenges her belief that the Fenchurch Street mystery is unsolvable, arguing that
- [II: A Millionaire in the Dock](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/ii-a-millionaire-in-the-dock.md): The Old Man in the Corner recounts the case of Francis Smethurst, a millionaire arrested for the murder of William Kershaw. Despite strong circumstantial evidence, Smethurst proves he never wrote the incriminating letter
- [III: His Deduction](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/iii-his-deduction.md): The Old Man in the Corner explains his deduction that William Kershaw was not murdered but instead murdered Francis Smethurst and assumed his identity. He points to the letters, the visit to the Torriani Hotel, and the u
- [IV: The Robbery in Phillimore Terrace](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/iv-the-robbery-in-phillimore-terrace.md): Polly Burton returns to the A.B.C. shop and meets the Old Man in the Corner, who recounts the details of a diamond robbery at No. 22 Phillimore Terrace. The story involves a tramp caught by a constable and a frantic serv
- [A Night’s Adventure](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/v-a-night-s-adventure.md): The Old Man in the Corner recounts the investigation into the double robbery at Phillimore Terrace. He describes the police's initial focus on the servants, the discovery of diamonds trampled in the garden, and the detec
- [VI: All He Knew](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/vi-all-he-knew.md): The Old Man in the Corner reveals the intricate scheme behind the Phillimore Terrace diamond theft, explaining how Mr. Knopf and his servant Robertson—likely twin brothers—orchestrated a double impersonation to steal Mr.
- [VII: The York Mystery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/vii-the-york-mystery.md): The Old Man in the Corner recounts the York Mystery, a case involving the murder of bookmaker Charles Lavender during the York racing week. Lord Arthur Skelmerton initially appears as a hero who captured the assassin, bu
- [VIII: The Capital Charge](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/viii-the-capital-charge.md): At the inquest into Charles Lavender's murder, evidence mounts against Lord Arthur Skelmerton. Bookmaker James Terry testifies that Lavender had threatened to expose something about Lord Arthur to secure a £500 debt. The
- [IX: A Brokenhearted Woman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/ix-a-brokenhearted-woman.md): The Old Man in the Corner analyzes the murder of Charles Lavender, arguing that Lady Arthur Skelmerton was the true culprit. He points to overlooked evidence: a lady's voice interrupting the argument, Lavender's sudden c
- [X: The Mysterious Death on the Underground Railway](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/x-the-mysterious-death-on-the-underground-railway.md): A young woman is found dead in a first-class compartment of the Metropolitan Railway at Aldgate station. The guard discovers her body, and the subsequent inquest reveals she died from prussic acid poisoning. Her husband,
- [XI: Mr. Errington](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xi-mr-errington.md): The Old Man in the Corner reveals to Polly Burton the true culprit behind the mysterious death on the Underground Railway. He explains that Frank Errington was framed by Edward Hazeldene, who meticulously copied Erringto
- [XII: The Liverpool Mystery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xii-the-liverpool-mystery.md): The Old Man in the Corner recounts the Liverpool Mystery to Polly Burton, detailing how a young German clerk named Mr. Schwarz was duped by a man posing as Prince Semionicz. Schwarz, sent by his uncle Mr. Winslow to deli
- [A Cunning Rascal](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xiii-a-cunning-rascal.md): The Old Man in the Corner recounts the Liverpool Mystery, where a young jeweler named Schwarz is tricked by a man posing as a Russian police officer into handing over £10,500 in banknotes intended for Prince Semionicz. D
- [XIV: The Edinburgh Mystery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xiv-the-edinburgh-mystery.md): The Old Man in the Corner recounts the Edinburgh Mystery, the murder of Lady Donaldson and theft of her diamonds, focusing on the family dynamics, the arranged marriage between David Graham and Edith Crawford, and the su
- [A Terrible Plight](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xv-a-terrible-plight.md): Edith Crawford is committed for trial in Edinburgh for the murder of Lady Donaldson. Public opinion turns against her, viewing her as a mercenary girl willing to kill for jewels. The trial lasts six days, with key testim
- [XVI: “Non Proven”](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xvi-non-proven.md): The man in the corner recounts the trial of Edith Crawford for the murder of Lady Donaldson. He describes how public sympathy turned against her after she broke off her engagement with David Graham, and how the prosecuti
- [XVII: Undeniable Facts](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xvii-undeniable-facts.md): Polly Burton and the Old Man in the Corner debate the Edinburgh Mystery, focusing on the guilt of Edith Crawford and the possible role of David Graham. The Old Man argues that the thief and the murderer were different pe
- [XVIII: The Theft at the English Provident Bank](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xviii-the-theft-at-the-english-provident-bank.md): The Old Man in the Corner discusses the role of motive and human passions in crime, arguing that a clever woman is behind the unsolved theft at the English Provident Bank. He details the bank's layout, the night watchman
- [XIX: Conflicting Evidence](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xix-conflicting-evidence.md): Public unease grows as James Fairbairn's evidence is scrutinized. Mrs. Ireland contradicts Fairbairn's account, claiming she did not see or speak to her husband at the time he described. Robert Ireland provides an alibi 
- [An Alibi](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xx-an-alibi.md): The old man in the corner reveals the true solution to the English Provident Bank theft, explaining that Mrs. Ireland perjured herself not for her husband but for her son, Robert Ireland, who was the actual thief. He det
- [XXI: The Dublin Mystery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xxi-the-dublin-mystery.md): The Old Man in the Corner recounts the Dublin Mystery, involving the sudden death of Millionaire Brooks, the murder of his solicitor Patrick Wethered, and a dispute over Brooks's will. Percival Brooks inherits nearly eve
- [XXII: Forgery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xxii-forgery.md): The chapter details the contested will case of the late Mr. Brooks, where Percival Brooks claims a will leaving him the bulk of the estate, while Murray Brooks argues it is a forgery. The court hears testimony, including
- [XXIII: A Memorable Day](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xxiii-a-memorable-day.md): The trial of Percival Brooks for forgery of his father's will unfolds. The Crown argues that the forged will solely benefits Percival, making him the prime suspect. However, defense counsel Mr. Oranmore presents two key 
- [XXIV: An Unparalleled Outrage](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xxiv-an-unparalleled-outrage.md): The Old Man in the Corner recounts the mysterious disappearance of Mr. Francis Morton, a wealthy Brighton resident, who vanished on March 17th. Despite his regular habits, he failed to return home, and police discovered 
- [The Prisoner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xv-the-prisoner.md): The Old Man in the Corner recounts the Brighton case of Edward Skinner, arrested for assaulting and robbing Mr. Francis Morton of £10,000. The trial reveals that Morton refused to prosecute, and his deposition hints at a
- [XVI: A Sensation](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xvi-a-sensation.md): In a dramatic courtroom scene, the magistrate questions a woman about blackmail letters allegedly from the Comte de la Tremouille, which she believes are genuine. The case against Edward Skinner collapses when Mr. Franci
- [XXVII: Two Blackguards](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xxvii-two-blackguards.md): The Old Man in the Corner explains to Polly Burton that the supposed return of the Comte de la Tremouille was a forgery orchestrated by Mr. Morton, who, with the help of Edward Skinner, staged an assault to blackmail his
- [XXVIII: The Regent's Park Murder](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xxviii-the-regent-s-park-murder.md): The Old Man in the Corner recounts the Regent's Park murder of Aaron Cohen, a wealthy gambler, on a foggy February night. The investigation reveals connections to the Harewood Club, high-stakes gambling, and young John A
- [The Motive](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xxix-the-motive.md): The Old Man in the Corner recounts the Regent's Park murder case, focusing on the seemingly damning circumstantial evidence against John Ashley—including a overheard conversation, a found revolver, and a valet's testimon
- [XXX: Friends](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xxx-friends.md): Polly and the Old Man in the Corner discuss the Regent's Park murder of Aaron Cohen. The Old Man reveals his theory that John Ashley and Walter Hatherell collaborated in the murder, with Ashley killing Cohen and Hatherel
- [The de Genneville Peerage](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xxxi-the-de-genneville-peerage.md): The Old Man in the Corner recounts the bizarre murder of the Hon. Robert Ingram de Genneville, a younger son who, on the advice of the disgraced solicitor Timothy Beddingfield, had claimed a joint title and revenues from
- [A High-Bred Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xxxii-a-high-bred-gentleman.md): The chapter details the coroner's inquest into the murder of the Hon. Robert de Genneville, focusing on the testimony of his brother, the Earl of Brockelsby, who identifies the body and describes their strained relations
- [XXXIII: The Living and the Dead](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-living-and-the-dead.md): The Old Man in the Corner unravels the de Genneville peerage murder, proposing that the Hon. Robert de Genneville murdered his lawyer Timothy Beddingfield, swapped clothes with the corpse, and fled to start a new life, w
- [The Mysterious Death in Percy Street](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-mysterious-death-in-percy-street.md): Polly Burton, increasingly drawn to the old man in the corner despite her journalist friend Dick Frobisher's jealousy, presses him for his views on the mysterious death of Mrs. Owen in Percy Street. He dismisses accident
- [XXXV: Suicide or Murder?](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xxxv-suicide-or-murder.md): The chapter delves into the mysterious death of Mrs. Owen, initially thought to be an accident but later suspected as murder. The old man in the corner reconstructs the crime, suggesting a nephew killed her for her money
- [XXXVI: The End](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xxxvi-the-end.md): Polly Burton experiences a sudden epiphany, realizing that the murderer in the Fenchurch Street case is the Old Man in the Corner himself, based on the distinctive knots in the string used to secure the window. She confr

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