The Talleyrand Maxim · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The Talleyrand Maxim by J. S. Fletcher.
Chapter 1
I: Death Brings Opportunity
Linford Pratt, a senior clerk at Eldrick & Pascoe, is alone in the office when old Antony Bartle arrives with a startling discovery: he has found the last will and testament of John Mallathorpe, who died intestate two years earlier, leaving his fortune to his sister-in-law and her children. The will, made on the day of Mallathorpe's death, could overturn the current inheritance.
Chapter 2
II: In Trust
Linford Pratt discovers John Mallathorpe's will, which leaves the bulk of the estate to the Mayor and Corporation of Barford for education, and only small sums to the family. He hides the will and decides to use it for his own advantage, beginning a scheme of blackmail and deception.
Chapter 3
III: The Shop-Boy
Pratt meets Bartle Collingwood at Eldrick & Pascoe's office and recounts the circumstances of Antony Bartle's sudden death. Collingwood then visits his grandfather's shop in Quagg Alley, where he speaks with the housekeeper Mrs. Clough and the shop-boy Jabey Naylor. Naylor reveals that before his death, Antony Bartle discovered a closely written paper in a book belonging to the late John Mallathorpe, wrote a letter to Mrs. Mallathorpe, and then went out. Collingwood searches the old man's clothes but finds no such paper, sparking suspicion about Pratt's account. He decides to visit Normandale Grange to speak with Mrs. Mallathorpe.
Chapter 4
IV: The Fortunate Possessors
Collingwood visits Normandale Grange to inquire about his grandfather's last letter to Mrs. Mallathorpe. He meets Nesta and Harper Mallathorpe, observing their contrasting attitudes toward inherited wealth. Mrs. Mallathorpe explains the letter as a request about local books. Collingwood later discovers a list of pamphlets in his grandfather's book, resolving his suspicions. Meanwhile, Pratt learns of Collingwood's visit and grows anxious, deciding to question Mrs. Mallathorpe.
Chapter 5
V: Point-Blank
Pratt visits Mrs. Mallathorpe at Normandale Grange, revealing that he has discovered John Mallathorpe's will, which would dispossess her family of their wealth. He proposes a scheme to suppress the will in exchange for being appointed steward of the estate. Mrs. Mallathorpe demands to see the original will before agreeing. After leaving, Pratt is accosted in a lane by a fellow clerk.
Chapter 6
VI: The Unexpected
Pratt is confronted by James Parrawhite, a disreputable clerk who witnessed him steal John Mallathorpe's will and the death of Antony Bartle. Parrawhite blackmails Pratt, demanding a share of the profits from the will. A violent struggle ensues, and Pratt accidentally kills Parrawhite by throwing him against a rock. Pratt is left to hide the body and face the consequences.
Chapter 7
VII: The Supreme Inducement
Pratt, having killed Parrawhite, frames him for theft from Eldrick & Pascoe by stealing money and cheques from Eldrick's unlocked drawer. He then visits Parrawhite's lodgings to cover his tracks, paying off the landlady. After seeing Nesta Mallathorpe in town, he decides to pursue his original plan of securing the stewardship at Normandale Grange, despite the risks.
Chapter 8
Terms
Mrs. Mallathorpe, realizing the seriousness of Pratt's discovery of John Mallathorpe's will, attempts to buy the document from him for cash. Pratt refuses all monetary offers, insisting instead on being appointed steward of the Mallathorpe estate for life. He dictates an advertisement for the position, planning to apply and secure the role through a prearranged scheme. Mrs. Mallathorpe outwardly complies but harbors deep hatred and resentment, signaling future conflict.
Chapter 9
Until Next Spring
After Antony Bartle's funeral, his grandson Bartle Collingwood settles the estate, sells the bookshop, and becomes richer by £25,000. Eldrick advises him to leave London and practice law in Barford, suggesting he might also marry Nesta Mallathorpe. Collingwood visits Normandale Grange to say goodbye, discusses Harper's lack of occupation, and proposes building a golf course. He then departs for a four-month trip to India with Sir John Standridge, leaving Pratt suspicious of his intentions.
Chapter 10
X: The Footbridge
Collingwood, preparing to leave for India, reads of Harper Mallathorpe's fatal accident on a rotten footbridge at Normandale Grange. He rushes back to Barford to offer support, meets with Eldrick, and visits Nesta. At the bridge, Pratt explains finding the body, and an old woodman reveals he warned Mrs. Mallathorpe about the bridge's danger the day before the accident.
Chapter 11
XI: The Prevalent Atmosphere
Collingwood attends the inquest into Harper Mallathorpe's death, which is brief and formal, returning a verdict of accidental death. He senses an underlying mystery, heightened by village gossip suggesting the footbridge may have been tampered with. He visits Nesta, who is worried about her mother's health and asks Collingwood to attend the inquest and report back. Later, at the Normandale Arms, he overhears the blacksmith James Stringer questioning the official account, hinting at possible foul play.
Chapter 12
XII: The Power of Attorney
Collingwood decides to stay in Barford instead of going to India, motivated by his feelings for Nesta and his suspicion of Pratt. He settles into local life and work, while Pratt continues to insinuate himself into the Mallathorpe affairs. Months later, Collingwood returns from a business trip to find Nesta angry and troubled: Pratt visited her mother in her absence, leaving Mrs. Mallathorpe frightened and refusing to disclose what was discussed.
Chapter 13
XIII: The First Trick
Pratt reveals to Eldrick that he has obtained a general power of attorney from Mrs. Mallathorpe, giving him control over her personal affairs. Eldrick, Robson, and Collingwood discuss the implications, and Pratt defends his actions by claiming a familial relationship with Mrs. Mallathorpe. Nesta is furious and vows to prevent Pratt from seeing her mother.
Chapter 14
XIV: Cards on the Table
Nesta Mallathorpe confronts Linford Pratt in his office, accusing him of blackmailing her mother. Pratt remains calm and evasive, hinting at a secret that could ruin Mrs. Mallathorpe. He recounts events leading up to Harper Mallathorpe's death, including Mrs. Mallathorpe's actions to secure a dangerous footbridge, implying she had a set purpose. Nesta is determined to uncover the truth, but Pratt's veiled threats and revelations unsettle her.
Chapter 15
Pratt Offers a Hand
Nesta Mallathorpe confronts Linford Pratt at his office, where he reveals a letter from her mother, Mrs. Richard Mallathorpe, that he claims proves she plotted to kill him by luring him to a sabotaged footbridge. Pratt shows the letter and keys as evidence, asserting that Mrs. Mallathorpe intended him to die like Harper Mallathorpe. He refuses Nesta's offer to buy him out, insisting he holds a double hold over her mother and will keep the secret to protect them. Nesta rejects his handshake and leaves, heading to Eldrick & Pascoe's offices.
Chapter 16
XVI: A Headquarters Conference
Eldrick and Collingwood hold a strategy meeting after Nesta Mallathorpe reveals Pratt's blackmail and accusations against her mother. They decide to keep their investigation secret, let Pratt believe he is safe, and work backwards to uncover the document and secret he holds over Mrs. Mallathorpe.
Chapter 17
XVII: Advertisement
Eldrick and Collingwood discuss Pratt's possible theft of a document from Antony Bartle. Eldrick decides to search parish registers and places an advertisement offering a reward for information about James Parrawhite. He receives a response from Halstead & Byner, inquiry agents, and meets their representative, Gerald Byner, who reveals that £20,000 is waiting for Parrawhite. Byner investigates the missing banknotes and cheques, and Eldrick warns him to keep his presence secret from Pratt. A local man, George Pickard, arrives in response to the advertisement.
Chapter 18
XVIII: The Confiding Landlord
George Pickard, landlord of the Green Man at Whitcliffe, visits Eldrick and Byner to share information about James Parrawhite. Pickard reveals that Parrawhite owed him money and claimed he would get it from Pratt, whom he planned to meet near Pratt's lodgings on the night of November 23rd. Parrawhite never returned, and Pickard lost his money. Byner places advertisements for Parrawhite and sends a coded message to his London partner. Eldrick and Byner then consult with Collingwood, who connects the events to the time of Antony Bartle's death and suggests that Parrawhite's hold on Pratt may be linked to Pratt's hold on Mrs. Mallathorpe. They agree to focus on finding Parrawhite.
Chapter 19
XIX: The Eyewitness
Collingwood discovers that his landlord, Cobcroft, witnessed the catastrophic chimney collapse at Mallathorpe's Mill that killed John Mallathorpe, his manager, and his cashier. Through conversation, Cobcroft reveals he saw John Mallathorpe sign a document shortly before the accident, which Collingwood deduces was likely John Mallathorpe's will. Collingwood further theorizes that a duplicate copy of the will was placed in a book and later fell into Linford Pratt's hands via Antony Bartle.
Chapter 20
XX: The Green Man
Byner places advertisements in Barford newspapers to pressure Pratt, then visits the Green Man to investigate Parrawhite's disappearance. Pickard shares a quarry worker's account of seeing Parrawhite and Pratt together on a moonlit night near Stubbs' Lane, leading Byner to inspect a water-filled quarry shaft.
Chapter 21
The Direct Charge
Byner presents a detailed accusation against Linford Pratt, alleging he murdered James Parrawhite and stole John Mallathorpe's will. Meanwhile, Collingwood visits Nesta Mallathorpe at Normandale Grange, sharing Cobcroft's story and discussing the possibility of a duplicate will. Nesta expresses her desire to end the mystery and her mother's dependence on Pratt, even at the cost of losing her inheritance. The chapter ends with a telegram from Byner's partner revealing that Parrawhite reportedly left for America.
Chapter 22
XXII: The Cat's Paw
Pratt reflects on his confrontation with Nesta Mallathorpe, feeling confident in his power over her and her mother. However, his complacency is shattered when he discovers advertisements in the Barford newspapers seeking information about James Parrawhite, placed by Eldrick and by a London firm. Alarmed, Pratt devises a plan to prevent any search for Parrawhite in Barford. He visits Reuben Murgatroyd, a struggling watchmaker and shipping agent, and offers him £100 to provide false information to anyone inquiring about Parrawhite, claiming that Parrawhite has already left for America. Murgatroyd, despite his misgivings, accepts the money and the task.
Chapter 23
Smooth Face and Anxious Brain
Eldrick and Byner investigate Parrawhite's disappearance, with Eldrick visiting Murgatroyd and then Pratt to gauge reactions. Byner decides to involve local detective Prydale, suspecting Pratt's involvement.
Chapter 24
XXIV: The Better Half
Pratt's scheme with Murgatroyd begins to unravel as detectives Prydale and Byner interrogate the watchmaker about Parrawhite's alleged passage to America. Murgatroyd, coached by Pratt, gives false answers but is terrified of being exposed when the detectives plan to check with the Royal Atlantic line. Mrs. Murgatroyd learns the truth and rebukes Pratt, then takes matters into her own hands by returning the money and declaring she will confess everything to the police.
Chapter 25
XXV: Dry Sherry
Pratt, aware that his schemes are collapsing, prepares for flight. He retrieves incriminating documents and money from his office, sends a coded telegram to Esther Mawson, and cycles to Normandale Grange. There, Esther meets him in a secluded summerhouse and leads him to a disused room. She brings him a bottle of dry sherry, but not before secretly drugging it. Pratt drinks heavily, falls into a deep sleep, and is left vulnerable.
Chapter 26
XXVI: The Telephone Message
Pratt remains unaware of Byner and Prydale's discovery of Parrawhite's body in the Whitcliffe quarry shaft. Byner and Prydale arrange with retired quarry-owner Shepherd to retrieve the body the next morning. The body is found, confirming Byner's theory of murder. Murgatroyd confesses about Pratt's involvement, but Pratt, having seen Byner and Prydale visit Murgatroyd, has disappeared. A telephone message from Normandale Grange reports Pratt is there and something extraordinary is happening, prompting Eldrick, Collingwood, and Nesta to rush to the scene.
Chapter 27
Restored to Energy
Esther Mawson drugs Linford Pratt, steals the will and other documents from him, then blackmails Mrs. Mallathorpe into giving her money and jewelry in exchange for the papers. After Mrs. Mallathorpe burns the documents, she orders the servants to seize Esther and calls the police.
Chapter 28
The Woman in Black
Nesta, Collingwood, and Eldrick rush back to Normandale Grange after learning that Pratt is there and wanted for murder. Upon arrival, they discover that Mrs. Mallathorpe has burned the original will, but a duplicate is brought by Mrs. Gaukrodger, a widow who found it among her late husband's effects. The will reveals that John Mallathorpe left most of his fortune to Barford for an educational trust, with only small legacies to his family. Nesta accepts the loss of the estate with relief, while Mrs. Mallathorpe struggles with the reality. The chapter ends with Collingwood and Nesta sharing a romantic moment in the park.
