The Vicar of Bullhampton · Chapter
The Police at Fault explained
Sam Brattle is remanded for a third week as the police fail to capture the Grinder.
What happens
Sam Brattle is remanded for a third week as the police fail to capture the Grinder. Mr. Fenwick secures legal aid and bail support, while the mill repairs resume under Gilmore's urging. The old miller remains despondent, and the police's inability to find evidence against Sam leads to growing calls for his release.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Prejudice
Sam Brattle is held without direct evidence, highlighting tensions between legal procedure and presumption of innocence.
Community and Gossip
The community's opinions on Sam's guilt shift as the police fail to produce evidence, reflecting local gossip and judgment.
Family Duty and Forgiveness
The miller's grief over his children and the family's struggle to support Sam despite suspicion underscore themes of duty and fractured bonds.
Characters to notice
- Sam Brattle
Remanded to gaol for a third week; police still lack direct evidence against him.
- Mr. Fenwick
Arranges legal assistance for Sam, presses the miller for authority, and later offers to stand as bail.
- George Brattle
The old miller; initially resistant to legal help, later yields to repairs but remains deeply sorrowful and withdrawn.
- Harry Gilmore
Visits the mill to urge resumption of repairs; expresses caution about releasing Sam on bail.
- Agnes Pope
Questioned repeatedly by police; admits love for Sam but denies telling him about Trumbull's box.
- Head Constable Toffy
Leads the investigation; tracks the Grinder to a cottage but fails to capture him; requests multiple remands.
Key passages
“The magistrates sat at Heytesbury on the Tuesday, and Sam Brattle was remanded.”
On Tuesday, the magistrates in Heytesbury ordered Sam Brattle to be held in custody again.
This marks the beginning of the legal proceedings against Sam.
“The head constable declared that he had never met a more stubborn or a more artful young woman.”
The chief constable said Agnes Pope was the most obstinate and cunning young woman he had ever encountered.
Reflects the police's frustration with Agnes's refusal to incriminate Sam.
“The more I think of it, the more I feel that he had nothing to do with the murder.”
Fenwick becomes increasingly convinced that Sam is innocent of the murder.
Shows Fenwick's evolving opinion in contrast to the police's stance.