# Deception and Betrayal in The Borough Treasurer

> Theme guide for The Borough Treasurer by J. S. Fletcher.

The plot is built on layers of deception: the partners deceive the town for decades, Cotherstone betrays Mallalieu by testifying against him, and characters like Stoner and the Petts scheme for personal gain.

## Where it surfaces

- [VI: The Mayor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/vi-the-mayor): The cut cord evidence suggests a deliberate attempt to frame Harborough, pointing to deception.
- [VII: Night Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/vii-night-work): Mallalieu deliberately lies about knowing Kitely's identity and manipulates the investigation to frame an innocent man, betraying justice to protect Cotherstone.
- [VIII: Retained for the Defence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/viii-retained-for-the-defence): The possibility that the cord was deliberately cut from Harborough's coil to frame him.
- [X: The Hole in the Thatch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/x-the-hole-in-the-thatch): Cotherstone's feigned ignorance and possible betrayal of his partner Mallalieu are central to Brereton's suspicions.
- [XI: Christopher Pett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xi-christopher-pett): The murder investigation involves deceptive appearances, as Christopher Pett's sly demeanor and Kitely's hidden profession suggest layers of deceit.
- [XIII: The Anonymous Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xiii-the-anonymous-letter): Pett's deceptive familiarity and the anonymous nature of the letter suggest layers of deception and potential betrayal.
- [XV: One Thing Leads to Another](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xv-one-thing-leads-to-another): The revelation that Mallalieu and Cotherstone are likely the former Mallows and Chidforth, living under false identities.
- [XVI: The Lonely Moor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xvi-the-lonely-moor): Stoner betrays his employers by threatening to expose their secret; Mallalieu's violent reaction is a betrayal of trust.
- [XVII: The Medical Opinion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xvii-the-medical-opinion): Mallalieu's anxiety about the stick and his secret return to the quarry reveal his deceptive efforts to conceal evidence of his crime.
- [The Scrap Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xviii-the-scrap-book): Mallalieu and Cotherstone have hidden their criminal identities for years, betraying the trust of their community.
- [XIX: A Tall Man in Grey Clothes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xix-a-tall-man-in-grey-clothes): Avice's revelation of Mallalieu's unwanted advances and Harborough's anger suggests potential deception and betrayal in the case.
- [At Bay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xx-at-bay): Cotherstone's betrayal by Mallalieu in the Wilchester fraud and Mallalieu's alleged murders reveal layers of deception.
- [The Interrupted Flight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxi-the-interrupted-flight): Mallalieu deceives the town by using a committee meeting as cover for his escape, betraying his public role.
- [XXII: The Hand in the Darkness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxii-the-hand-in-the-darkness): Mallalieu deceives the superintendent to facilitate his escape, and the partnership with Cotherstone shows signs of mutual distrust.
- [Comfortable Captivity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxiii-comfortable-captivity): Miss Pett deceives Mallalieu with drugged drink and secretly searches his possessions.
- [Strict Business Lines](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxiv-strict-business-lines): Christopher spreads false information about his purpose in town to conceal the harboring of Mallalieu.
- [No Further Evidence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxv-no-further-evidence): Cotherstone's testimony betrays Mallalieu, shifting blame entirely onto his partner.
- [The Virtues of Suspicion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxvi-the-virtues-of-suspicion): Christopher and Miss Pett deceive Mallalieu about the seriousness of his situation and their true intentions, while Mallalieu himself begins to suspect betrayal.
- [Without Thought of Consequence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxix-without-thought-of-consequence): Miss Pett and Christopher Pett drug and plot against Mallalieu, who in turn deceives them about his awareness and readiness.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/themes/deception_and_betrayal
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/themes