The Story of Ivy · Chapter
XX explained
The Home Secretary, Sir Edward Law, reviews new evidence in the Gretorex case, including Mrs.
What happens
The Home Secretary, Sir Edward Law, reviews new evidence in the Gretorex case, including Mrs. Huntley's statutory declaration and Ivy Lexton's love letters, leading to a postponement of execution and further investigation.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Self-Deception
Ivy Lexton's perjury and hidden letters reveal deep deception, while the inspector realizes he was misled.
Crime and Justice
The chapter focuses on the potential miscarriage of justice and the eleventh-hour review of evidence.
Love and Obsession
Gretorex's love letter to Ivy reveals a sincere, obsessive passion, contrasting with Ivy's manipulative behavior.
Characters to notice
- Sir Edward Law
The Home Secretary, reviewing new evidence and deciding to postpone execution.
- Sir Joseph Molloy
The advocate defending Gretorex, presenting new evidence to Sir Edward.
- Alfred Finch
Head clerk of Mr. Oram, providing key documents and insights.
- Mr. Justice Mayhew
The judge who tried the Lexton case, agreeing to further inquiries.
- Ivy Lexton
Revealed through her letters as a hypocritical and manipulative woman; under suspicion for poisoning her husband.
- Roger Gretorex
Condemned man whose execution is postponed due to new evidence suggesting his innocence.
Key passages
“Murder, though it hath no tongue, will speak!”
Even if a murder is committed in secret, the truth will eventually come out.
Sir Joseph Molloy uses this quote to argue that new evidence will reveal Gretorex's innocence.
“This Mrs. Lexton appears to be, in any case, a most hypocritical and abandoned woman.”
Mrs. Lexton seems to be a deceitful and morally corrupt person.
Sir Edward Law's assessment after reading Ivy's letters.