The Story of Ivy · Chapter
X explained
Inspector Orpington interviews Dr.
What happens
Inspector Orpington interviews Dr. Roger Gretorex about Jervis Lexton's death. Gretorex lies about his knowledge of the circumstances and denies any involvement, but Orpington suspects him of murder driven by his passion for Ivy Lexton.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Justice
Orpington's investigation into Lexton's death and his suspicion of Gretorex as the murderer.
Love and Obsession
Gretorex's passion for Ivy Lexton is presented as a motive for murder.
Deception and Self-Deception
Gretorex lies to Orpington about his knowledge and actions; Orpington questions Ivy's truthfulness.
Characters to notice
- Inspector Orpington
Investigates Jervis Lexton's death; interviews Gretorex and suspects him of murder.
- Roger Gretorex
Lies to Orpington about his knowledge of Lexton's death; admits past attraction to Ivy Lexton but denies giving arsenic.
- Ivy Lexton
Orpington considers her possibly innocent; she admitted Gretorex's unwanted attentions.
- Jervis Lexton
Deceased; death due to arsenic, suspected murder.
- Dr. Berwick
Attended Jervis Lexton; expressed belief in Ivy's innocence.
- Nurse Bradfield
Suggested Gretorex see Lexton; reported Gretorex's dismay at Lexton's appearance.
Key passages
“I did, I admit very foolishly, once try to tell her—" He stopped, and the other interjected, not unkindly, "How much she attracted you?" Gretorex nodded, and then he gasped out the lying words—"She made me feel at once she was not that kind of woman."”
Gretorex admits he once confessed his attraction to Ivy, but lies that she rebuffed him.
Gretorex's deception about his relationship with Ivy.
“I have no more idea of how poor Lexton got at the arsenic which caused his death—if it did cause it—than you have, and that the one thing of which I am quite sure is that it did not come out of my surgery.”
Gretorex denies knowing how Lexton ingested arsenic and insists it didn't come from his supplies.
Gretorex's defense against the murder accusation.
“Long experience had convinced Inspector Orpington that there are only two outstanding motives for secret murder—money, and the passion called love.”
Orpington believes murder is driven by either financial gain or romantic obsession.
Orpington's investigative philosophy.