# The Police at Fault explained — The Vicar of Bullhampton

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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The old miller; initially resistant to legal help, later yields to repairs but remains deeply sorrowful and withdrawn.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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xv-the-police-at-fault
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters