# Mr. Tarkington Develops a Theory explained — The Starvel Hollow Tragedy

> Chapter companion for The Starvel Hollow Tragedy by Freeman Wills Crofts.

## What happens

After the inquest, Ruth feels a sense of relief but is troubled by a change in Pierce Whymper's manner. Mr. Oxley reveals that most of Mr. Averill's fortune, kept in cash in his safe, has been destroyed in the fire, leaving Ruth with only about £2,400. She plans to train for secretarial work in London but delays her departure, hoping to resolve her relationship with Whymper. Weeks later, Mr. Tarkington visits Mr. Oxley with a disturbing new theory about the Starvel Hollow fire.

## Themes in this chapter

### Greed and Materialism

Mr. Averill's miserly hoarding of cash in his safe, preferring to handle and count money rather than invest it, illustrates an extreme form of materialism.

### Class and Dependence

Ruth's financial future is entirely dependent on her uncle's estate; her plans for training and work reflect her need to secure an independent income.

### Love and Romance

Ruth's concern over Whymper's changed manner and her reluctance to leave Thirsby without resolving their relationship highlight the romantic subplot.

## Character check-ins

### Ruth Averill

Emerges from the inquest feeling lighthearted, but is puzzled and hurt by Whymper's changed manner. Learns of her uncle's lost fortune and calmly plans a secretarial course in London.

### Pierce Whymper

Waits to speak with Ruth after the inquest but seems embarrassed and less spontaneous than before, leaving Ruth confused about his feelings.

### Mr. Tarkington

The bank manager who informs Mr. Oxley about the destruction of Averill's paper money and later develops a disturbing new theory about the fire.

### Mr. Oxley

Solicitor who breaks the news of the lost fortune to Ruth and advises her on her financial future. Later consulted by Tarkington about a new development.

### Mrs. Oxley

Comforts Ruth after the news of the lost money and invites her to stay on at Thirsby, ostensibly to help with garden work.

## Key lines

> As Ruth emerged from the comparative gloom of the courthouse into the bright September sunshine her spirits seemed to rise.

Ruth felt her mood lift as she left the dark courthouse and stepped into the sunny September day.

_Shows Ruth's relief after the inquest._

> Tarkington assures me that it was not, that practically the whole sum was in Mr. Averill’s safe.

Tarkington confirmed that almost all of Averill's money was kept in his safe, not in securities.

_Reveals the extent of the financial loss._

> I begin to doubt if the matter is really over, after all.

Tarkington now suspects that the Starvel Hollow case may not be fully resolved.

_Foreshadows new developments in the investigation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/chapters/iii-mr-tarkington-develops-a-theory
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_starvel_hollow_tragedy_se/chapters