# XVII: Mysterious Behaviour of the Old Gentleman explained — The Three Taps

> Chapter companion for The Three Taps by Ronald A. Knox.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Fraud

Pulteney's false excuse for missing the funeral and Brinkman's secret preparations highlight deception.

### Appearance vs. Reality

Pulteney appears harmless but may be eavesdropping; Brinkman's car disguised with black paint.

### Detection and Rationality

Bredon and Eames rationally analyze clues: Pulteney's rod, cigarette brand, and car evidence.

## Character check-ins

### Miles Bredon

Investigates the eavesdropper with Angela and Eames, suspects Pulteney.

### Angela Bredon

Accompanies Bredon, suggests Pulteney may have borrowed Brinkman's cigarette.

### Mr. Pulteney

Suspected of eavesdropping; skipped funeral on false fishing pretext; later brings evidence against Brinkman.

### Mr. Eames

Confirms Brinkman was at funeral; notes Pulteney's rod unused; discusses Pulteney's character.

### Mr. Brinkman

Absent from inn during funeral; suspected of preparing secret departure with disguised car and provisions.

## Key lines

> I can’t stand much of this,” he said. “Let’s go down toward the churchyard, and see if we can meet them coming back.

Bredon, feeling uneasy in the silent inn, suggests walking to the churchyard to intercept the funeral procession.

_Bredon's restlessness drives him to seek information about the funeral attendees._

> He’s no more out fishing than you or I.

Eames confirms Pulteney's rod is untouched, proving his fishing excuse is false.

_Eames exposes Pulteney's deception about his whereabouts._

> To think it was my Edward all the time.

Angela jokingly refers to Pulteney as 'Edward,' implying he is the eavesdropper.

_Angela's humor underscores the shift in suspicion from Brinkman to Pulteney._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_taps_se/chapters/xvii-mysterious-behaviour-of-the-old-gentleman
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_taps_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_taps_se/chapters