# XXVII: Two Blackguards 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 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 wife. He argues that Morton forged typewritten letters, faked his own kidnapping, and used Skinner as an accomplice to extort money, concluding that both men are blackguards.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Forgery

The Old Man argues that the case hinges on forged typewritten letters and a staged assault, highlighting the role of deception in the crime.

### Greed and Motive

Morton's motive is identified as greed, seeking access to his wife's fortune through blackmail, with Skinner as a greedy accomplice.

### Justice and Impunity

The Old Man suggests that Morton and Skinner will escape justice, as Morton plans to return to his wife and the Comte will never be heard of again.

## Character check-ins

### Polly Burton

Polly listens to the Old Man's analysis of the case, initially skeptical but eventually convinced by his reasoning.

### The Old Man in the Corner

The Old Man presents his theory that Morton and Skinner conspired to blackmail Morton's wife, using forged letters and a staged assault.

### Mr. Francis Morton

Morton is accused of forging the Comte de la Tremouille's letters, staging his own kidnapping, and blackmailing his wife with Skinner's help.

### Edward Skinner

Skinner is identified as Morton's accomplice, who rented a room in Russell House and helped stage the assault.

### Comte Armand de la Tremouille

The Comte is referenced as the deceased first husband of Morton's wife, whose identity was forged in the blackmail scheme.

## Key lines

> Doesn't it strike you that there are at least two very strong points against that theory?

The Old Man challenges Polly's assumption by pointing out two flaws in the theory that the blackmailer was the real Comte de la Tremouille.

_He questions why a wealthy count would settle for £10,000 and why he would use typewritten letters._

> Seek the motive!

The Old Man emphasizes that finding the motive is key to solving the case.

_He argues that Morton's motive was to access his wife's fortune, which he could not control._

> I think, if you will allow me, that we will go through the points—the sensible, tangible points of the case.

The Old Man proposes to systematically examine the concrete evidence of the case.

_He lists the suspicious details of Morton's disappearance and the staged assault._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_man_in_the_corner_se/chapters/xxvii-two-blackguards
- 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