The Three Taps · Chapter
XVIII: The Barmaid Is Brought to Book explained
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.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Fraud
Emmeline fabricates a story to protect Simmonds, and the group uncovers the layers of deceit.
Appearance vs. Reality
Pulteney's scholarly facade hides a desire for adventure; Emmeline's innocent appearance masks her cunning eavesdropping and lies.
Detection and Rationality
Bredon and Leyland rationally dismantle Emmeline's testimony and refocus on Brinkman using logical deduction.
Characters to notice
- Angela Bredon
Leads the interrogation of Emmeline, extracts her confession, and explains the barmaid's motives to the group.
- Miles Bredon
Deduces that Emmeline's story was fabricated and that Brinkman is now the prime suspect.
- Mr. Pulteney
Expresses delight at being mistaken for a criminal, then participates in the tense tea with Brinkman.
- Mr. Eames
Correctly deduces that the eavesdropper was the barmaid, noting her stained fingers from purloined cigarettes.
- Mr. Leyland
Accepts that Emmeline's testimony is discredited and shifts focus to Brinkman as the quarry.
- Emmeline
The barmaid who eavesdropped and lied to protect Simmonds; confesses to Angela after being confronted.
Key passages
“The uneducated do not take Mr. Pulteney’s view about curiosity. I daresay this young lady often listens at keyholes.”
Eames suggests that the barmaid, unlike Pulteney, is not above eavesdropping out of curiosity.
Eames explains the barmaid's habit of listening at keyholes.
“She really believed that the man who had been making love to her, the man she was in love with, was a cold-blooded murderer. She acted I think, very well.”
Angela recounts that Emmeline genuinely thought Simmonds was a murderer and acted bravely to protect him.
Angela describes Emmeline's motivation for lying.