# The Red House Mystery — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Red House Mystery by A. A. Milne.

- [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/dedication.md): A. A. Milne dedicates the book to his father, John Vine Milne, acknowledging his love for detective stories and expressing gratitude and affection.
- [The Red House Mystery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/the-red-house-mystery.md): Antony Gillingham arrives at the Red House and, upon hearing a shot and discovering a locked-room murder, decides to investigate the crime as an amateur detective.
- [I: Mrs. Stevens Is Frightened](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/i-mrs-stevens-is-frightened.md): On a drowsy summer afternoon at the Red House, the household staff discusses the surprising news that Mr. Mark Ablett's brother, Robert, is expected for a visit after fifteen years. Audrey Stevens, the parlourmaid, shows
- [Mr. Gillingham Gets Out at the Wrong Station](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/ii-mr-gillingham-gets-out-at-the-wrong-station.md): The chapter introduces the Red House guests at breakfast, where Mark Ablett receives a letter announcing the unexpected arrival of his brother Robert. Meanwhile, Antony Gillingham, a curious and observant young man with 
- [III: Two Men and a Body](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/iii-two-men-and-a-body.md): Antony Gillingham, having arrived at the Red House to visit his friend Bill Beverley, encounters Matthew Cayley in a state of agitation. Cayley reports hearing a shot from a locked office. Together they force entry throu
- [IV: The Brother from Australia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/iv-the-brother-from-australia.md): Inspector Birch questions Cayley about the events leading up to Robert's death, including the letter Mark received announcing his brother's arrival. Cayley describes hearing a shot and discovering the locked office with 
- [Mr. Gillingham Chooses a New Profession](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/v-mr-gillingham-chooses-a-new-profession.md): Antony Gillingham decides to become an amateur detective, realizing he is the only unbiased person in the house. Inspector Birch begins questioning the servants, including Audrey and Elsie, while Antony reflects on Cayle
- [VI: Outside or Inside?](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/vi-outside-or-inside.md): Antony, Bill, and Cayley discuss the murder and the key's location. Antony suggests the key was on the outside of the office door, complicating the theory of accidental killing. Cayley reveals the Inspector is getting a 
- [VII: Portrait of a Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/vii-portrait-of-a-gentleman.md): Antony and Bill discuss the characters of Mark Ablett and Matthew Cayley while walking through the park. Bill describes Mark as a meticulous host who arranges everything for his guests, leaving them feeling 'on parade.' 
- [VIII: “Do You Follow Me, Watson?”](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/viii-do-you-follow-me-watson.md): Antony and Bill discuss the murder case after dinner, with Antony revealing his suspicion that Cayley manipulated the keys to cover up the truth. Antony explains how he tricked Cayley into moving the billiard-room key, e
- [IX: Possibilities of a Croquet Set](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/ix-possibilities-of-a-croquet-set.md): Antony and Bill discuss the ghostly appearance of Miss Norris on the bowling-green, questioning how she could have appeared suddenly without being seen crossing the open park. Antony deduces there must be a secret passag
- [X: Mr. Gillingham Talks Nonsense](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/x-mr-gillingham-talks-nonsense.md): Antony Gillingham, in good humor at breakfast, discusses the investigation with Cayley, who mentions the inspector plans to drag the pond for Mark's body. Antony and Bill Beverley later stroll to the pond, where Antony d
- [XI: The Reverend Theodore Ussher](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/xi-the-reverend-theodore-ussher.md): Antony and Bill discuss the practical limitations of searching for a secret passage in the Red House, concluding that the library is the most likely location. Antony deduces the passage's entrance by noticing that Mark r
- [XII: A Shadow on the Wall](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/xii-a-shadow-on-the-wall.md): Antony recreates the scene of the murder in the office, focusing on a shadow he saw on the wall when Cayley left to get water. He realizes Cayley closed the door quietly as an afterthought, suggesting he was hiding somet
- [XIII: The Open Window](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/xiii-the-open-window.md): Antony Gillingham shares his evolving theory with Bill Beverley, suggesting that after Mark Ablett shot Robert, he consulted Matthew Cayley, who then locked the office door and staged the scene to make it appear Mark esc
- [Mr. Beverley Qualifies for the Stage](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/xiv-mr-beverley-qualifies-for-the-stage.md): Bill Beverley covers for Antony Gillingham when Matthew Cayley unexpectedly returns to the library while Antony is exploring the secret passage. Bill cleverly taps a warning code on the bookshelves, allowing Antony to es
- [XV: Mrs. Norbury Confides in Dear Mr. Gillingham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/xv-mrs-norbury-confides-in-dear-mr-gillingham.md): Antony and Bill visit Jallands to deliver a letter from Cayley to Miss Norbury. While there, Mrs. Norbury confides in Antony about her daughter's relationship with Mark Ablett, revealing that she had warned Mark off from
- [XVI: Getting Ready for the Night](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/xvi-getting-ready-for-the-night.md): Antony and Bill discuss their theories about the murder, concluding that Cayley likely killed Mark in a sudden passion and hid his body in the secret passage. They plan to secretly observe the pond that night, expecting 
- [Mr. Beverley Takes the Water](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/xvii-mr-beverley-takes-the-water.md): Antony and Bill discuss theories about the murder and Mark's disappearance while examining a key found in the copse. They consider whether Cayley helped Mark escape or if Cayley is the murderer. Later, they observe Cayle
- [XVIII: Guesswork](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/xviii-guesswork.md): Antony and Bill discuss the inconsistencies in Mark's story about his brother Robert's arrival. Antony deduces that Mark knew about Robert's visit on Monday, not Tuesday, and that the letter may have been received earlie
- [XIX: The Inquest](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/xix-the-inquest.md): The inquest into Robert Ablett's death is held. The Coroner outlines the case, calling witnesses including Bill Beverley, Andrew Amos, Parsons, Stevens, Elsie, and Matthew Cayley. The jury returns a verdict that Robert d
- [Mr. Beverley Is Tactful](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/xx-mr-beverley-is-tactful.md): After the inquest, Bill Beverley waits for Antony Gillingham. Antony deduces clues from a theatrical poster and learns about Mark's dentist and swimming habits. He sends Bill to investigate a visitor at the Plough and Ho
- [XXI: Cayley's Apology](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/xxi-cayley-s-apology.md): Matthew Cayley writes a letter to Antony Gillingham confessing to the murder of Mark Ablett. He explains his long-standing resentment toward Mark, stemming from Mark's refusal to help Cayley's brother Philip, which led t
- [XXII: Mr. Beverley Moves On](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_house_mystery_se/chapters/xxii-mr-beverley-moves-on.md): Antony explains to Bill how he deduced that Mark Ablett had disguised himself as his brother Robert, revealing the plot orchestrated by Cayley. Antony recounts his reasoning about the clothes, the collar, the secret pass

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