# Guilt and Innocence in Murder by the Clock

> Theme guide for Murder by the Clock by Rufus King.

The investigation revolves around determining who is guilty, but the characters' own admissions—like Mrs. Endicott's confession of intent to kill—complicate the notion of innocence, and the police themselves are unsure whether the true criminal is still at large.

## Where it surfaces

- [VIII: 11:28 p.m.—Mrs. Endicott Screams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/viii-11-28-p-m-mrs-endicott-screams): Valcour's investigation into who caused Endicott's shock and Roberts's suspicious behavior point to questions of guilt and hidden knowledge.
- [XVIII: 3:00 a.m.—Thin Haze of Dread](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xviii-3-00-a-m-thin-haze-of-dread): Hollander's denial of guilt and Valcour's attempts to establish his culpability, while also considering Mrs. Endicott's potential involvement.
- [XIX: 3:15 a.m.—The Properties of Horror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xix-3-15-a-m-the-properties-of-horror): Valcour's questioning of Vickers and Roberts explores who might be guilty, with Roberts's hysterical behavior suggesting possible guilt or trauma.
- [XX: 3:24 a.m.—On Private Heights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xx-3-24-a-m-on-private-heights): Roberts's contradictory statements and her admission of hiding a gun raise questions about her guilt and innocence.
- [XXI: 3:51 a.m.—A Woman’s Slipper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxi-3-51-a-m-a-woman-s-slipper): Roberts's confession of intent to kill and her accusations against Mrs. Endicott blur the lines.
- [XXIII: 4:29 a.m.—A Turn of the Screw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxiii-4-29-a-m-a-turn-of-the-screw): Mrs. Endicott's guilt is implied by her arrest, yet she maintains her innocence.
- [XXIV: 4:41 a.m.—As the Colours of Dawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxiv-4-41-a-m-as-the-colours-of-dawn): Valcour's internal debate about Mrs. Endicott's guilt, despite the evidence, highlights the theme.
- [XXVI: 5:25 a.m.—There Was a Sailor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxvi-5-25-a-m-there-was-a-sailor): Valcour grapples with the guilt of Endicott's actions versus the innocence of the servant girl, and the potential guilt of her husband.
- [XXIX: 6:30 a.m.—As Is Mirage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxix-6-30-a-m-as-is-mirage): Valcour lays out a case against Marge Myles and Mrs. Endicott, exploring the question of who is truly guilty of the murder.
- [XXXI: 8:37 p.m.—Five Years Later](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxxi-8-37-p-m-five-years-later): Valcour's reflections reveal his belief that Mrs. Hollander escaped justice, highlighting the theme of guilt unpunished.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/themes/guilt_and_innocence
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/themes