# Beforehand explained — The Paradise Mystery

> Chapter companion for The Paradise Mystery by J. S. Fletcher.

## What happens

Bryce prepares to secretly excavate the tomb of Richard Jenkins in Paradise, but discovers that Inspector Mitchington, the Duke of Saxonsteade, and others are already searching the area. With Dick Bewery's help, Bryce observes the search and then fetches Harker, who reveals that the search is likely for the Duchess of Saxonsteade's stolen diamonds, linking the events to the robbery fifteen years prior and to the mysterious figure Glassdale.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Deception

Bryce's covert preparations to dig at the tomb and the secret correspondence between Dick and Betty highlight layers of hidden intentions and clandestine activities.

### Greed and Ambition

The pursuit of the stolen diamonds, with a £5,000 reward, drives Bryce, Harker, and the Duke's party, revealing the powerful motive of material gain.

### The Past Haunting the Present

The fifteen-year-old robbery at Saxonsteade resurfaces, linking the current events to unresolved crimes from the past.

## Character check-ins

### Mary Bewery

Bryce prepares to dig at the tomb, carrying a crowbar and lantern, and later observes the police search with Dick.

### Dick Bewery

Dick encounters Bryce in Paradise and reveals the ongoing search by Mitchington and others; he leads Bryce to a hidden vantage point.

### Inspector Mitchington

Mitchington is present at the excavation in Paradise, directing the search alongside the Duke and a mason.

### Duke of Saxonsteade

The Duke is one of the five men searching near the tomb, indicating his personal interest in the buried items.

### Barthorpe

Harker deduces that the search is for the stolen Saxonsteade diamonds and that Glassdale likely informed the Duke.

## Key lines

> In accordance with his undeniable capacity for contriving and scheming, Bryce had made due and careful preparations for his visit to the tomb of Richard Jenkins.

True to his scheming nature, Bryce carefully planned his trip to Richard Jenkins's tomb.

_Highlights Bryce's methodical and secretive approach._

> I was a fool not to go last night! We're forestalled, my friend!—that's about it!

I should have gone last night; someone else has gotten there first.

_Bryce's frustration at being beaten to the search._

> It's fifteen years since the famous robbery at Saxonsteade which has never been accounted for—robbery of the Duchess's diamonds—one of the cleverest burglaries ever known, doctor.

The Duchess of Saxonsteade's diamonds were stolen fifteen years ago in a clever burglary that was never solved.

_Harker reveals the historical context of the buried treasure._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se/chapters/xvi-beforehand
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_paradise_mystery_se/chapters