The Three Taps · Chapter
XVI: A Visitor from Pullford explained
Eames arrives at the Load of Mischief, representing the Bishop at Mottram's funeral.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Fraud
Bredon theorizes that Brinkman planted a fake clue (the burnt will fragment) as double bluff to mislead Leyland.
Detection and Rationality
Bredon uses patience to clear his mind and discusses deductive reasoning with Angela, weighing evidence and motives.
Characters to notice
- Miles Bredon
Greets Eames, discusses the will and his theory of double bluff with Angela.
- Angela Bredon
Converses with the group, later helps Bredon analyze the case.
- Mr. Eames
Arrives as the Bishop's representative, mentions Mottram's bequest to the diocese.
- Mr. Brinkman
Exchanges words with Eames, discusses Mottram's affairs and plans to go to London.
- Mr. Pulteney
Attends the funeral, makes darkly humorous remarks about death and village life.
Key passages
“I can keep a secret as well as most men, that is to say, I have the common human vanity which makes every man like to be in possession of a secret; and perhaps less than my share of the vulgar itch for imparting information.”
Pulteney claims he is discreet, but admits most people enjoy having secrets.
Pulteney's self-deprecating remark about discretion.
“If it is true that confession lightens our burdens, the Load of Mischief must sit easily on her.”
Eames jokes that Mrs. Davis must feel unburdened because she gossips so much.
Eames comments on Mrs. Davis's lack of discretion.
“The victim of sudden death is like a diver; no instinct of decency withholds us from watching his taking-off.”
Pulteney compares a sudden death victim to a diver, saying people cannot resist gawking.
Pulteney's macabre observation about public fascination with death.