The Three Taps · Chapter
XII: The Makings of a Trap explained
Bredon and Leyland discuss their suspicions about Brinkman and Simmonds, and plan a fake conversation to trap Brinkman into revealing his involvement.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Fraud
The central plot involves a planned deception to trap Brinkman, highlighting the theme of deception in investigation.
Detection and Rationality
Leyland and Bredon use rational deduction and bluffing as tools of detection, contrasting with Bredon's moral qualms.
Morality and Amorality
Bredon struggles with the morality of the underhanded trap, while Leyland justifies it as necessary for justice.
Characters to notice
- Miles Bredon
Bredon is uneasy about the deceptive trap they plan to set for Brinkman, but agrees to help Leyland.
- Mr. Leyland
Leyland devises the plan to bluff Brinkman into betraying himself, and observes Simmonds with the barmaid.
- Mr. Brinkman
Brinkman is the target of the trap; he has been eavesdropping and is suspected of having a hidden interest in Mottram's death.
- Simmonds
Simmonds is seen in a lovers' lane with the barmaid, suggesting a possible accomplice; Leyland suspects him of murder.
- Angela Bredon
Angela enthusiastically supports the trap and plans to talk to the barmaid to gather information.
Key passages
“To Bredon, events seemed to be closing in like a nightmare. Here was he pledged to uphold the theory of suicide; and he had depended largely for his success on Leyland’s inability to produce a suitable candidate for the position of murderer. But now there seemed to be a perfect embarras of murderers.”
Bredon felt trapped by the mounting evidence, as he had relied on Leyland not finding a plausible murderer to support his suicide theory, but now multiple suspects were emerging.
Highlights Bredon's growing anxiety and the shift in the investigation.
“But half, or say a third at least, of the big businesses we clear up are cleared up by bluff, by leading the suspected man on and encouraging him to give himself away.”
Leyland explains that many cases are solved by tricking suspects into revealing their guilt through deception.
Illustrates Leyland's pragmatic approach to detective work.
“I wonder you haven’t wormed yourself into her confidence already. Wasn’t interested in her. But tonight, at supper, she was jumpy—even you must have noticed it. She almost dropped the soup-plates, and the ‘shape’ was quivering like a guilty thing surprised.”
Angela notes the barmaid's nervous behavior at supper, deducing she is hiding something.
Shows Angela's observational skills and her role in the investigation.