The Patient in Room 18 · Chapter
XIV: A Matter of Evidence explained
O'Leary interrogates Corole Letheny about her presence near Room 18 on the night of the murders, revealing that Higgins had told him she and Dr.
What happens
O'Leary interrogates Corole Letheny about her presence near Room 18 on the night of the murders, revealing that Higgins had told him she and Dr. Hajek were together in the orchard. Corole admits meeting Hajek but denies returning to Room 18. Later, O'Leary is found unconscious after being attacked, and the radium disappears again. Miss Keate recounts finding the radium, and O'Leary questions Maida Day. The chapter ends with O'Leary planning to visit Corole Letheny the next morning.
Themes in this chapter
Secrecy and Suspicion
Corole Letheny's lies and evasions, O'Leary's hidden motives, and the general atmosphere of mistrust permeate the chapter.
Truth and Justice
O'Leary's persistent interrogation aims to uncover the truth behind the murders and the radium theft.
Characters to notice
- Corole Letheny
Interrogated by O'Leary about her actions near Room 18; admits meeting Dr. Hajek in the orchard but denies returning.
- Lance O'Leary
Conducts interrogations; is attacked and found unconscious; continues investigation despite injury.
- Jim Gainsay
Provides information about Higgins; seen sitting disconsolately near the bridge; suspected of theft.
- Sarah Keate
Narrates events; assists O'Leary; recounts finding the radium and letting Gainsay out the south door.
- Dr. Balman
Finds O'Leary unconscious with Dr. Hajek; expresses distress over ongoing events.
- Dr. Fred Hajek
Present when O'Leary is found; questioned about his actions; appears secretive.
Key passages
“You are lying. I warned you not to lie. The man you saw crawling through the window of Room 18 was not Dr. Letheny.”
O'Leary accuses Corole of lying about the identity of the man she saw entering Room 18.
O'Leary confronts Corole with the truth from Higgins.
“Higgins told me. Now then, tell me. What did you and Dr. Hajek do?”
O'Leary reveals that Higgins informed him of Corole and Hajek's actions, demanding an explanation.
O'Leary uses Higgins's testimony to pressure Corole.
“I know that Louis Letheny was in Room 18 that night!”
Corole asserts her belief that Dr. Letheny was inside Room 18.
Corole maintains her claim despite O'Leary's contradiction.
“What on earth happened to you?”
Dr. Balman asks O'Leary how he was injured.
Dr. Balman discovers O'Leary unconscious.