# Fate and Consequence in The Borough Treasurer

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

The past inevitably catches up with the characters; Kitely's chance arrival in Highmarket triggers a chain of events leading to murder, flight, and ruin, illustrating that past crimes have inescapable consequences.

## Where it surfaces

- [III: Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/iii-murder): Cotherstone's wish for Kitely's death is immediately followed by the news of his murder, suggesting a grim chain of cause and effect.
- [XIV: The Sheet of Figures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xiv-the-sheet-of-figures): The calculations of interest over thirty years and Stoner's decision to investigate set in motion consequences tied to past actions.
- [XVI: The Lonely Moor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xvi-the-lonely-moor): Stoner's decision to blackmail leads directly to his fatal fall; Mallalieu's past crimes catch up with him.
- [The Scrap Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xviii-the-scrap-book): The past crimes of Mallows and Chidforth catch up with them decades later, leading to murder and impending disgrace.
- [XXII: The Hand in the Darkness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxii-the-hand-in-the-darkness): Mallalieu's escape attempt is interrupted by a mysterious hand in the darkness, suggesting an inescapable fate.
- [No Further Evidence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxv-no-further-evidence): Mallalieu's escape seals his perceived guilt, while Cotherstone's calculated defense leads to his discharge.
- [The Virtues of Suspicion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxvi-the-virtues-of-suspicion): Mallalieu's fate hangs in the balance as he faces the consequences of his actions, with the threat of the gallows looming over every decision.
- [Without Thought of Consequence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxix-without-thought-of-consequence): Mallalieu's impulsive shooting seals his fate, forcing him into a desperate flight with no thought of consequence.
- [The Barrister's Fee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxxi-the-barrister-s-fee): The characters have moved on from the tragedies; Brereton seeks to leave the past behind and start anew.

## Links

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