The Three Taps · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The Three Taps by Ronald A. Knox.
Chapter 1
Dedication
The book is dedicated to Susan and Francis Baker, with a playful warning that Francis must not stay up too late reading it.
Chapter 2
The Three Taps
The chapter introduces the setting and the mysterious death of Mr. Mottram, whose body is found in a locked room. The investigation begins, with Miles Bredon arriving to assist Inspector Leyland. The chapter explores themes of deception, detection, and the contrast between appearance and reality.
Chapter 3
I: The Euthanasia Policy
This chapter introduces the Indescribable Insurance Company and its innovative Euthanasia policy, which provides both a death benefit and an annuity. The reader meets Mr. Mottram, a wealthy but ailing client who attempts to negotiate a cancellation of his policy in exchange for half his premiums, but is refused by the company representative.
Chapter 4
II: The Detective Malgré Lui
This chapter introduces Miles Bredon, the private detective for the Indescribable insurance company, and his wife Angela. It explains Bredon's background, his role investigating fraud for the company, and his capricious but brilliant methods. After dinner one evening, Angela takes a phone call from the office about a case involving a man named Mottram, who died in a locked room at an inn in Chilthorpe, possibly by suicide. Bredon deduces the details from Angela's side of the conversation, and they prepare to travel to Chilthorpe the next morning.
Chapter 5
III: At the Load of Mischief
Miles and Angela Bredon arrive at the Load of Mischief inn in Chilthorpe, where they learn from a fishing old gentleman that Mr. Mottram has been found dead, apparently by suicide. The landlady, Mrs. Davis, is voluble and distressed, and the Bredons settle in, with Angela noting that Mottram's signature in the visitors' book is dated June 13th with a blank end date, which Miles observes is unusual since visitors typically sign only upon departure.
Chapter 6
IV: The Bedroom
Miles Bredon and his wife Angela arrive at the Load of Mischief inn and are shown to their room by Mrs. Davis. Bredon encounters Inspector Leyland, an old war comrade, who is investigating Mottram's death. Leyland shares details of the scene: the gas was turned off, the window open, the door locked from inside, and Mottram had taken a mild sleeping draught. They debate whether it was suicide, murder, or accident, examining evidence like a clean shirt with studs, a wound watch, and a solitary match. Leyland shows Bredon a letter Mottram wrote to a local newspaper.
Chapter 7
V: Supper, and Mr. Brinkman
During supper at the Load of Mischief, the guests discuss Mottram's death. Brinkman deflects the old gentleman's ironic comments about Mottram's wealth and fishing habits, revealing that Mottram was from Chilthorpe. Later, Bredon privately questions Brinkman about the suicide, the locked room, the gas tap, and Mottram's health and insurance, while Brinkman insists it was suicide and provides details of the discovery.
Chapter 8
VI: An Ear at the Keyhole
Bredon and Angela discuss the case in their room, debating suicide versus murder. Bredon presents evidence for suicide (locked door, match usage, gas tap marks), while Angela playfully challenges him. They suspect someone was listening at the keyhole. Bredon later warns Leyland about eavesdroppers.
Chapter 9
VII: From Leyland’s Notebook
Inspector Leyland, having placed a bet with Bredon on his theory, begins to doubt his own conclusions. He meticulously records his reasoning, focusing on the turned-off gas tap and the open window as evidence of foul play. He argues that the window was deliberately opened after death, the match found in the grate was not used by the maid, and the sleeping draught glass was staged to suggest suicide. Leyland reconstructs the murderer's actions, including winding the watch and leaving a half-finished letter, and considers motives involving Mottram's wealth and a possible local vendetta. He remains confident in murder despite the locked-room puzzle.
Chapter 10
VIII: The Bishop at Home
Miles Bredon visits the Bishop of Pullford to discuss Mottram's death. The Bishop reveals that Mottram was a friend and neighbor, had seemed in good health, and had invited him to fish at Chilthorpe. Bredon shares that Mottram had misgivings about his health and was heavily insured. The Bishop, unaware of Mottram's health concerns, reflects on the possibility of suicide. Despite Bredon's intention to leave, the Bishop insists he stay for dinner.
Chapter 11
IX: The Late Rector of Hipley
Bredon dines with the Bishop and his clergy, meeting Mr. Eames, the Bishop's secretary and former rector of Hipley. After dinner, Eames accompanies Bredon to Mottram's house, where the housekeeper provides little new information. Bredon learns from Leyland that Mottram's latest will leaves his Euthanasia policy proceeds to the Bishop. Eames recalls Mottram's unusual insistence on the Bishop's company and hints at possible suicide or premonition of violence.
Chapter 12
X: The Bet Doubled
Bredon and Leyland discuss the implications of Mottram's will and the Euthanasia policy, leading Bredon to double the bet. Bredon presents his theory that Simmonds is the murderer, motivated by the insurance money and the need to avoid a suicide verdict. The inquest proceeds with testimony from Brinkman, the doctor, the Boots, and others.
Chapter 13
XI: The Generalship of Angela
Angela Bredon devises a clever social scheme to inspect the cigarette cases of Brinkman and Pulteney, hoping to find evidence of a rare brand of cigarettes. Through dinner conversation and a blindfolded tasting game, she successfully identifies Brinkman's cigarette as a 'Callipoli,' while also maneuvering to check Pulteney's case, which turns out to be empty.
Chapter 14
XII: The Makings of a Trap
Bredon and Leyland discuss their suspicions about Brinkman and Simmonds, and plan a fake conversation to trap Brinkman into revealing his involvement. Bredon is uneasy about the underhanded tactics, but Leyland persuades him. Later, they spot Simmonds with the barmaid from the Load of Mischief, suggesting a possible accomplice. Angela enthusiastically supports the plan and offers to investigate the barmaid.
Chapter 15
XIII: A Morning with the Haberdasher
The morning after the inquest, Bredon and Leyland stage a conversation for a hidden listener (Brinkman) in which Leyland outlines his case against Simmonds for Mottram's murder, citing motive, disposition, threat, occasion, and facility, while also expressing suspicion of Brinkman's evasiveness. Bredon then visits Simmonds's shop under the pretext of buying handkerchiefs to observe him.
Chapter 16
XIV: Bredon Is Taken for a Walk
Angela Bredon, having befriended the barmaid Emmeline by posing as the advice columnist 'Aunt Daphne,' extracts a story about Emmeline's friend (actually herself) whose fiancé—revealed to be Simmonds—offered to release her from their engagement after learning he was cut out of a rich relative's will. This proves Simmonds knew about the codicil and had no financial motive for murder, though he remains nervous. Later, Brinkman invites Bredon for a walk to the gorge, seemingly seeking a private conversation, but meanders through trivial topics, leaving Bredon uncertain of his intentions.
Chapter 17
XV: A Scrap of Paper
Leyland reveals a burnt fragment of paper found in Mottram's room, which appears to be a corner of a will copy referencing the Euthanasia policy. Bredon and Leyland discuss its implications, concluding that Simmonds, knowing he was cut out of the will, likely burned the document in a hurry after murdering Mottram. Bredon explains that Angela informed him of Simmonds's knowledge, which initially seemed to exonerate Simmonds but actually strengthens the case against him. The chapter ends with Bredon and Leyland doubling their bet on the solution.
Chapter 18
XVI: A Visitor from Pullford
Eames arrives at the Load of Mischief, representing the Bishop at Mottram's funeral. The group discusses Mottram's will, the funeral, and village gossip. Bredon plans to play patience to clear his mind, and later confides in Angela about Leyland's discovery of a burnt will fragment and his theory that Brinkman planted it as double bluff. Their conversation is interrupted by a mysterious sneeze.
Chapter 19
XVII: Mysterious Behaviour of the Old Gentleman
Bredon and Angela, astonished that Brinkman might have been eavesdropping, discover he was at Mottram's funeral. They instead suspect Pulteney, who skipped the funeral on a false pretext. Eames reveals Pulteney's rod is untouched, and Pulteney later arrives with evidence of Brinkman's secret preparations for flight, including a disguised car and provisions.
Chapter 20
XVIII: The Barmaid Is Brought to Book
Angela reveals that the barmaid Emmeline was the eavesdropper at the millhouse, having overheard Leyland and Bredon's conversation and fabricated a story to protect Simmonds. The group realizes her testimony is unreliable, shifting suspicion back to Brinkman. Leyland plans to watch Brinkman's motor for an attempted escape, while Angela confronts Emmeline and extracts a tearful confession about her motives.
Chapter 21
XIX: How Leyland Spent the Evening
Leyland orchestrates a plan to trap Brinkman by using the cinema night as cover. The group stages a false departure, leaving Bredon at the inn to watch from his window while Angela and Eames secretly return to monitor Brinkman. Leyland and Pulteney wait at the garage. Brinkman leaves by the front door with a despatch-box, and Angela telephones Leyland. A tense vigil ensues as they await Brinkman's arrival at the garage.
Chapter 22
XX: How Bredon Spent the Evening
Bredon plays patience by the window while keeping watch for Brinkman. Angela returns from a stealthy outing with Eames and reports. Bredon spots Brinkman leaving with a despatch-box, and Angela telephones the police. A gust of wind blows three cards out the window; Bredon retrieves them and has a sudden insight into the mystery. He sends Angela to ask Mrs. Davis about sandwiches for Brinkman, and declares he is on the verge of solving the case.
Chapter 23
XXI: How Eames Spent the Evening
Eames follows Brinkman through a stormy night, observing him make a mysterious leap near a ledge in the gorge. Brinkman flees, and Eames retrieves an envelope addressed to the Bishop of Pullford. He reports to Leyland, and Angela arrives to drive them in pursuit.
Chapter 24
XXII: At a Standstill
The chapter opens with Angela returning late and refusing to share her movements unless Bredon reveals his theory. At breakfast, Leyland recounts the failed attempt to catch Brinkman, who cleverly arranged a car from the garage under a false name and escaped via the express train to Lowgill. The group discusses Brinkman's meticulous planning, including paying Mrs. Davis's bill and leaving his tip, and debates whether he is a murderer or if suicide is still possible. Bredon hints at a reasoning process that may explain the events without assuming Brinkman's guilt.
Chapter 25
XXIII: Leyland’s Account of It All
Leyland presents his theory of the murder, arguing that Brinkman killed Mottram for a combination of motives: the thousand pounds and anti-clerical sentiment. He explains that the locked door and turned-off gas tap led him to deduce that the gas came from an independent source, possibly from Brinkman's room above. Leyland describes Brinkman's plan to fake suicide, his failed attempt to turn off the gas first, and his subsequent flight. However, Bredon points out a fatal flaw: the gas tap showed marks of being turned on but not off, contradicting Leyland's theory. The chapter ends with the Bishop of Pullford arriving, claiming to have evidence that Mottram's death was suicide.
Chapter 26
XXIV: Mottram’s Account of It All
The Bishop of Pullford reveals Mottram's suicide letter, which explains his plan to take his own life due to an incurable disease and bequeath his insurance money to the diocese. Bredon deduces the letter was copied, and ultimately declares Mottram's death an accident, not suicide, ensuring the insurance claim is paid.
Chapter 27
XXV: Bredon's Account of It All
Bredon reveals the truth behind Mottram's death, explaining it was an accident, not suicide or murder. He details Mottram's plan to test the Bishop's honesty, Brinkman's involvement, and the series of mishaps that led to the fatal gas leak. The chapter concludes with the group discussing the moral and practical aftermath, including the legacy to the diocese and Brinkman's escape.
Chapter 28
List of Illustrations
This chapter lists the illustrations in the book, specifically depicting the three taps as Brinkman found them and as they were found in the morning.
