# XXI: The Dublin Mystery explained — The Old Man in the Corner

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

## What happens

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 everything, while his brother Murray is left a pittance and claims the later will is a forgery.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Forgery

The central conflict revolves around the alleged forgery of Millionaire Brooks's will, highlighting the theme of deception.

### Greed and Motive

The dispute over the inheritance and the murder of the solicitor underscore greed as a motive for crime.

### Justice and Impunity

The murder of Patrick Wethered and the forged will remain unsolved, reflecting the theme of justice evaded.

## Character check-ins

### The Old Man in the Corner

Narrates the Dublin Mystery, analyzing the forged will and the murder of Patrick Wethered.

### Polly Burton

Listens to the Old Man's account and engages with his insights on the case.

### Percival Brooks

Eldest son of Millionaire Brooks, inherits the bulk of the estate and is named sole executor of the contested will.

### Murray Brooks

Younger son, left a pittance of £300 a year, claims the later will is a forgery.

### Patrick Wethered

Solicitor to Millionaire Brooks, murdered in Phoenix Park on the same day as Brooks's death.

## Key lines

> I always thought that the history of that forged will was about as interesting as any I had read

The Old Man considers the forged will case one of the most fascinating he has encountered.

_Sets up the chapter's focus on the Dublin Mystery._

> That is why I always try to persuade you to give our poor ignorant police the benefit of your great insight and wisdom

Polly jokingly urges the Old Man to share his analytical skills with the police.

_Highlights the dynamic between Polly and the Old Man._

> Mr. Murray Brooks, namely, had entered a claim for probate of a will, made by his father in 1891, declaring that the later will made the very day of his father's death and proved by his brother as sole executor, was null and void, that will being a forgery.

Murray Brooks challenges the validity of the will that favored his brother, claiming it is a forgery.

_Introduces the central legal dispute of the chapter._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xxi-the-dublin-mystery
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters