# Marryatt Breaks the Pledge explained — The Viaduct Murder > Chapter companion for The Viaduct Murder by Ronald A. Knox. ## What happens Reeves learns that Davenant has confessed to murdering Brotherhood, and that Marryatt, after being told via speaking tube, has fled to London. Gordon and Reeves discuss the situation, and later Marryatt returns, explaining he fled due to a combination of seeing Brotherhood's stick in Reeves' room and hearing a voice on the tube that he thought said 'Brotherhood.' Gordon reveals the stick was found on the railway line and that he and Reeves were in the secret passage, causing the breathing Marryatt heard. ## Themes in this chapter ### Deception and Secrecy The chapter revolves around misunderstandings and hidden truths: Reeves' message to Marryatt is misinterpreted, and the secret passage and stick are initially unknown to Marryatt, leading to his flight. ### Appearance vs. Reality Marryatt's perception of Brotherhood's ghostly presence is revealed to be a trick of the imagination combined with real objects (the stick) and sounds (Reeves breathing in the secret passage). ### Fate and Coincidence The coincidence of Marryatt seeing the stick and hearing the speaking tube at the same time as Reeves' message leads to his dramatic flight, highlighting the role of chance in the plot. ## Character check-ins ### Mordaunt Reeves Reeves is dazed after learning of Davenant's confession and is distressed by Marryatt's flight; he later feels relief when Marryatt returns. ### Marryatt Marryatt flees to London after hearing Reeves' message through the speaking tube, believing he is being accused of murder; he returns later, explaining his fear was due to seeing Brotherhood's stick and hearing a voice. ### Mr. Carmichael Carmichael informs Reeves that he saw Marryatt running toward the station, and declines a round of golf due to his wife's return. ### Alexander Gordon Gordon plays golf with Reeves, discusses the situation, and later confronts Marryatt, revealing the truth about the stick and the secret passage. ### Gordon Davenant Davenant is mentioned as having confessed to the police that he murdered Brotherhood; his confession is the key event driving the chapter. ### Miss Rendall-Smith Mentioned as being under police suspicion, which may have prompted Davenant's confession. ## Key lines > I said, Davenant’s confessed. It’s an extraordinary thing, you know, the way we use ambiguous expressions, and expect the other man to interpret them in the right sense. Carmichael tells Reeves that Davenant has confessed, but notes how language can be ambiguous and lead to misunderstandings. _Highlights the theme of deception and the confusion caused by ambiguous communication._ > I believe you’ve convinced Marryatt, by sheer logic, that he’s a murderer, when he’s nothing of the kind. Gordon suggests that Reeves' logical argument has made Marryatt believe he is guilty, even though he is innocent. _Illustrates the theme of appearance vs. reality and the power of suggestion._ > I went to my room and locked myself in. You see, I’m psychic, rather. Always have been, from a kid. Marryatt explains that he locked himself in his room because he believes he is psychic and was frightened by the apparent ghostly presence. _Reveals Marryatt's superstitious nature and sets up the resolution of the mystery._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters/xxiii-marryatt-breaks-the-pledge - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters