The Old Man in the Corner · Chapter
I: The Fenchurch Street Mystery explained
Polly Burton, a journalist for the Evening Observer, encounters the eccentric Old Man in the Corner at an Aërated Bread Company shop.
What happens
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 intelligence can unravel any crime. He then recounts the case: William Kershaw disappeared after meeting the Siberian millionaire Francis Smethurst, who Kershaw claimed was actually a murderer named Barker from thirty years prior. Kershaw's wife and friend Karl Müller reported his disappearance, and the Old Man reveals letters from Smethurst arranging a meeting at Fenchurch Street Station.
Themes in this chapter
Intelligence vs. Institutional Investigation
The Old Man in the Corner contrasts his own intelligence with the police's failure to solve the Fenchurch Street mystery, suggesting that clever reasoning can succeed where official methods fail.
Deception and Forgery
The case hinges on letters purportedly from Smethurst, which may be forged or deceptive, and Kershaw's own story about Smethurst's criminal past is unproven.
Greed and Motive
Kershaw's desire for money from Smethurst, and Müller's willingness to lend £2 for a share of the fortune, highlight greed as a driving force in the crime.
Characters to notice
- Polly Burton
A journalist for the Evening Observer, she is initially skeptical of the Old Man in the Corner but becomes fascinated by his account of the Fenchurch Street mystery.
- The Old Man in the Corner
A pale, thin, nervous man who fidgets with a piece of string. He claims that intelligence can solve any crime and proceeds to recount the details of the Fenchurch Street mystery.
- William Kershaw
The missing husband. He claimed that Smethurst was a murderer named Barker from thirty years ago and arranged a meeting at Fenchurch Street Station, after which he disappeared.
- Mrs. Kershaw
Kershaw's wife, who accompanied Müller to Scotland Yard to report her husband's disappearance. She was apprehensive about the meeting with Smethurst.
- Karl Müller
A fat, oily-looking German friend of Kershaw. He lent Kershaw £2 and accompanied Mrs. Kershaw to report the disappearance.
- Francis Smethurst
The Siberian millionaire whom Kershaw claimed was actually Barker, a murderer from thirty years ago. He wrote letters arranging a meeting at Fenchurch Street Station.
Key passages
“Mysteries! There is no such thing as a mystery in connection with any crime, provided intelligence is brought to bear upon its investigation.”
The Old Man in the Corner asserts that no crime is truly mysterious if one applies intelligence to its investigation.
This sets up the central theme of the chapter, contrasting the Old Man's confidence with the police's bafflement.
“I never for a moment ventured to suggest that there were no mysteries to the police; I merely remarked that there were none where intelligence was brought to bear upon the investigation of crime.”
He clarifies that he is not denying the police face mysteries, but that intelligence can solve any crime.
This reinforces the theme of intelligence versus institutional methods.
“As often as not my sympathies go to the criminal who is clever and astute enough to lead our entire police force by the nose.”
He admits he often sympathizes with clever criminals who outwit the police.
This reveals the Old Man's unconventional moral stance, which may color his narrative.
