# XII: Bone'm and His Master explained — The Vicar of Bullhampton

> Chapter companion for The Vicar of Bullhampton by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Mr. Fenwick speaks to the Squire in Sam Brattle's favor, but the next morning Farmer Trumbull is found murdered and his money stolen. The dog Bone'm has been poisoned. Suspicion falls on Sam Brattle, who admits to being out the night of the murder. Fenwick questions Agnes Pope about whether she mentioned the money-box to Sam.

## Themes in this chapter

### Justice and Prejudice

Sam Brattle is immediately suspected due to his past associations and nocturnal wanderings, highlighting prejudice in the pursuit of justice.

### Community and Gossip

The murder spreads quickly through the village, and everyone is drawn into the investigation and speculation.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Fenwick

Visits the Squire to speak for Sam, learns of Trumbull's murder, questions Agnes Pope.

### Sam Brattle

Under suspicion for Trumbull's murder; admits to being out the night of the crime.

### Harry Gilmore

Disagrees with Fenwick about Sam's character.

### Agnes Pope

Servant at Trumbull's; questioned by Fenwick about the money-box and Sam Brattle.

### George Brattle

Silent and stricken at the mill when the magistrate arrives.

### Farmer Trumbull

Murdered during the night; his body found on the stairs.

## Key lines

> He was hard at work now, at any rate; and seemed inclined to stick to his work. And there had been an independence about him which the parson had half liked, even while he had been offended at it.

Fenwick notes that Sam is working diligently and shows a self-reliance that the parson finds admirable, despite earlier irritation.

_Fenwick's conflicted view of Sam's character._

> I told 'um how it be—I did, I did, when he would 'a all that money by 'um.

Trumbull's sister claims she warned him about keeping so much money at home.

_Foreshadowing of the motive for the murder._

> He had not, however—so he said—been any nearer to Bullhampton than the point of the road opposite to the lodge of Hampton Privets, from whence the lane turned down to the mill.

Sam claims he only went as far as the road near Hampton Privets lodge, not into Bullhampton.

_Sam's alibi for the night of the murder._

## Links

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