# V: Point-Blank explained — The Talleyrand Maxim

> Chapter companion for The Talleyrand Maxim by J. S. Fletcher.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Secrecy

Pratt and Mrs. Mallathorpe conspire to suppress the will, keeping its existence hidden from the family and the law.

### Greed and Its Consequences

Pratt's greed drives him to blackmail Mrs. Mallathorpe for personal gain, setting the stage for future conflict.

### Power and Manipulation

Pratt manipulates Mrs. Mallathorpe by leveraging the will's secret, while she seeks to maintain control over her family's wealth.

## Character check-ins

### Linford Pratt

Visits Mrs. Mallathorpe, reveals the discovery of John Mallathorpe's will, and proposes a blackmail scheme to become steward of the estate.

### Richard Mallathorpe

Receives Pratt's visit, learns of the will's existence, and is pressured into considering Pratt's scheme.

### Nesta Mallathorpe

Mentioned as playing billiards with Harper; Mrs. Mallathorpe fears she would expose the truth if she knew.

### Harper Mallathorpe

Mentioned as playing billiards with Nesta; Mrs. Mallathorpe believes she can control him but not Nesta.

### Bartle Collingwood

Mentioned as having visited Mrs. Mallathorpe earlier that day, inquiring about his grandfather's letter.

### James Parrawhite

Appears at the end of the chapter, accosting Pratt in the lane for a private word.

## Key lines

> I took the will out of his pocket.

Pratt admits to stealing the will from the deceased Antony Bartle.

_Reveals Pratt's theft and the origin of his leverage._

> Give me the job of steward here.

Pratt demands to be appointed estate steward as the price of his silence.

_Core of Pratt's blackmail scheme._

> I shall be at my lodgings at any time after five-thirty tomorrow evening.

Pratt arranges for Mrs. Mallathorpe to view the original will at his home.

_Sets up the next step in their negotiation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/v-point-blank
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters