# XX: How Bredon Spent the Evening explained — The Three Taps

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

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Detection and Rationality

Bredon balances playing patience with solving the mystery, using observation and deduction to piece together clues.

### Marriage and Partnership

Angela and Bredon work together, with Angela carrying out tasks and Bredon directing the investigation, showing a collaborative dynamic.

### Appearance vs. Reality

Bredon's apparent idleness (playing patience) masks his active detective work; Brinkman's departure seems suspicious but may not be as expected.

## Character check-ins

### Miles Bredon

Plays patience by the window, keeps watch, retrieves blown cards, and has a breakthrough in the detective mystery.

### Angela Bredon

Returns from a stealthy outing with Eames, telephones the police after Bredon spots Brinkman, and later fetches information from Mrs. Davis.

### Mr. Brinkman

Seen leaving the inn with a despatch-box, heading toward the garage.

### Mr. Eames

Accompanies Angela on her stealthy return; later seen making for the turning.

### Mr. Leyland

Mentioned as having given Bredon instructions to sit at the window; Angela threatens to have him arrest Bredon.

### Mr. Pulteney

Mentioned in Bredon's card game and by Mrs. Davis as someone who takes sandwiches fishing.

## Key lines

> Bredon had undoubtedly secured the best occupation for the evening. For two whole days he had missed the feeling of cards between his hands, and now he returned with a great hunger to his favourite pastime.

Bredon was pleased to spend the evening playing patience, having missed card games for two days.

_Opens the chapter with Bredon's contentment at his chosen activity._

> There was a soft rustle at the door, and Angela came in. “Oo, I’ve been feeling so nice and stealthy,” she said. “ Mr. Eames and I crept back down the lane like burglars.”

Angela entered quietly, excitedly telling Bredon how she and Eames sneaked back like burglars.

_Angela reports her stealthy return with Eames._

> “Angela,” said Bredon suddenly, without turning round, “I don’t know if it interests you at all, but a stealthy figure has crept out into the moonlight. ... It is—our old friend Brinkman.”

Bredon announces that he has spotted Brinkman sneaking out with a despatch-box.

_Bredon spots Brinkman leaving, prompting Angela to telephone the police._

> When Angela came back from the telephone, she was astonished at the change that had come over her husband. He was standing on the fender with his back to the empty grate, swinging himself to and fro while he carolled a snatch from an out-of-date musical repertoire.

Angela returned to find Bredon elated, singing an old song and swinging on the fender.

_Bredon's mood shifts to excitement after his insight._

> “Good! The case progresses. Let me call your attention to this singular absence of ‘sangwich’-cutting on the part of Mrs. Davis. Angela, I’m right on the track of the beastly thing, and you mustn’t disturb me.”

Bredon tells Angela that Mrs. Davis never cut sandwiches for Brinkman, confirming his theory and asking not to be disturbed.

_Bredon shares a clue from Mrs. Davis and declares he is close to solving the mystery._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_taps_se/chapters/xx-how-bredon-spent-the-evening
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_taps_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_taps_se/chapters