The Paradise Mystery · Chapter
XIX: The Subtlety of the Devil explained
Bryce reveals to Inspector Mitchington and Sergeant Jettison his detailed theory about the Wrychester Paradise mystery.
What happens
Bryce reveals to Inspector Mitchington and Sergeant Jettison his detailed theory about the Wrychester Paradise mystery. He explains that John Braden was actually John Brake, a former bank manager who was tricked and imprisoned, and that Dr. Ransford's wards Mary and Richard Bewery are Brake's children. Bryce theorizes that Ransford ran away with Brake's wife and children, and that Brake sought revenge. He also suggests that Collishaw was blackmailing Braden's assailant and was poisoned with hydrocyanic acid in a pill. Bryce admits his personal motive: he wants to marry Mary Bewery and has been investigating to clear up the mystery.
Themes in this chapter
Secrecy and Deception
Bryce uncovers the hidden identities of Braden as Brake and the Bewery siblings as Brake's children, revealing Ransford's long-held secrets.
Justice and Morality
Bryce's theory suggests that Brake was wrongfully imprisoned due to Ransford's deception, and that Collishaw was murdered to cover up the truth.
Greed and Ambition
Bryce's personal motive to marry Mary Bewery drives his investigation, intertwining personal ambition with the pursuit of justice.
Characters to notice
- Mary Bewery
Bryce reveals that Mary Bewery is actually John Brake's daughter, raised as Ransford's ward; Bryce wants to marry her.
- Dr. Mark Ransford
Ransford is implicated as the close friend who tricked Brake, possibly ran away with Brake's wife, and is now hiding the truth from his wards.
- Inspector Mitchington
Mitchington listens to Bryce's theory and is surprised by the revelations about Brake and Ransford.
- Mr. John Braden
Braden is identified as John Brake, a former bank manager who was imprisoned and later killed in Paradise.
- Collishaw
Collishaw is theorized to have been blackmailing Braden's assailant and was poisoned with hydrocyanic acid.
- Barthorpe
Barthorpe (Simpson Harker) is mentioned as the detective who arrested Brake and can provide information about the case.
Key passages
“I know more of this Wrychester Paradise mystery... than any man living—because, though you don't know it, Mitchington, I've gone right into it.”
Bryce claims he has investigated the mystery more thoroughly than anyone else.
Bryce asserts his superior knowledge to gain credibility with the police.
“Ransford was the close friend who tricked and deceived Brake. He probably tricked him in some money affair, and deceived him in his domestic affairs.”
Bryce accuses Ransford of betraying Brake both financially and personally.
This is the core of Bryce's theory about the motive for the crime.
“Where should Collishaw get fifty pounds, all of a sudden? He was a mason's labourer, earning at the very outside twenty-six or eight shillings a week.”
Bryce questions how a low-paid labourer could suddenly deposit fifty pounds.
This evidence supports Bryce's theory that Collishaw was bribed to keep silent.