# Smooth Face and Anxious Brain explained — The Talleyrand Maxim

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

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Secrecy

Pratt's calm facade hides his anxiety, while Byner and Eldrick employ subtle deception to test Pratt's reactions.

### Greed and Its Consequences

The twenty-thousand-pound inheritance drives the search for Parrawhite and intensifies Pratt's fear of exposure.

### Justice and Retribution

Byner's methodical investigation and decision to involve the police signal an impending reckoning for Pratt.

## Character check-ins

### Linford Pratt

Pratt maintains a calm exterior but is deeply perturbed by news of Parrawhite's inheritance and the search for him.

### Charles Eldrick

Eldrick acts as Byner's intermediary, visiting Murgatroyd and Pratt to gather information and deliver news.

### Halstead Byner

Byner orchestrates the investigation, decides to involve the police, and suspects Pratt of manipulating Murgatroyd.

### R. Murgatroyd

Murgatroyd reports booking Parrawhite's passage to America under the name Parsons, but his credibility is questioned.

### Prydale

Detective-Sergeant Prydale is identified as the best local detective and is seen entering Murgatroyd's shop.

### Bartle Collingwood

Collingwood questions the reliability of Murgatroyd's telegram, showing cautious skepticism.

## Key lines

> more rope yet⁠—for another four-and-twenty-hours, say. But⁠—it’ll come!

Byner decides to give Pratt more time before taking action, confident that justice will eventually catch up.

_Byner's strategic patience in the investigation._

> Pratt never turned a hair when I let out all that to him.

Eldrick reports that Pratt showed no visible reaction to the news about Parrawhite's inheritance.

_Highlights Pratt's self-control and deceptive calm._

> I think Pratt put up Murgatroyd to sending that telegram to us in London this morning.

Byner suspects that Pratt orchestrated Murgatroyd's telegram to mislead the investigation.

_Byner's growing suspicion of Pratt's manipulation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters/xxiii-smooth-face-and-anxious-brain
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_talleyrand_maxim_se/chapters