# Justice and Innocence in The Borough Treasurer

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

The wrongful accusation of Harborough for Kitely's murder raises questions about legal justice versus actual innocence, with the barrister Brereton working to prove Harborough's innocence against circumstantial evidence.

## Where it surfaces

- [VI: The Mayor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/vi-the-mayor): Brereton's argument that the evidence is too obvious indicates a concern for true justice versus circumstantial guilt.
- [VIII: Retained for the Defence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/viii-retained-for-the-defence): Harborough's insistence on his innocence and the tension between legal presumption of innocence and circumstantial evidence.
- [Antecedents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/ix-antecedents): Harborough's refusal to provide an alibi and his insistence that the truth will come out highlight the tension between legal procedure and actual innocence.
- [X: The Hole in the Thatch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/x-the-hole-in-the-thatch): Brereton works to prove Harborough's innocence while exploring alternative suspects.
- [XIII: The Anonymous Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xiii-the-anonymous-letter): Brereton's determination to prove Harborough's innocence and the anonymous sender's insistence on finding the real murderer highlight the pursuit of justice.
- [XV: One Thing Leads to Another](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xv-one-thing-leads-to-another): Myler urges Stoner to pursue justice through legal channels rather than personal gain.
- [The Scrap Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xviii-the-scrap-book): Brereton is torn between his duty to defend an innocent man (Harborough) and the painful consequences of exposing the guilty.
- [XIX: A Tall Man in Grey Clothes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xix-a-tall-man-in-grey-clothes): The search for the tall man in grey clothes and Mrs. Hamthwaite's testimony aim to uncover the truth and potentially prove Harborough's innocence.
- [No Further Evidence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxv-no-further-evidence): Cotherstone seeks to clear his name publicly, contrasting with Mallalieu's flight.
- [Mr. Wraythwaite of Wraye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_borough_treasurer_se/chapters/xxvii-mr-wraythwaite-of-wraye): Wraythwaite's alibi promises to exonerate Harborough, advancing the theme of justice prevailing.

## Links

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