# Elizabeth Morton — The Clue character guide

> Elizabeth Morton in The Clue by Carolyn Wells.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Miss Morton, Miss Elizabeth Morton, this Miss Morton, the Miss Morton, Morton, Dear Miss Morton

**First appearance:** 0001-ii-miss-morton-arrives

## Snapshot

A stern, imperious stranger with an old quarrel behind her, Miss Morton takes command of the Van Norman house the instant tragedy strikes.

## Who they are

Elizabeth Morton arrives as a guest at Madeleine's wedding, an old friend of the late Richard Van Norman whose history with the family is tangled and unresolved. Within minutes of the discovery she is telephoning doctors, dismissing servants, and assuming authority that no one quite granted her — a composure that reads as either strength or something far colder. When the question of the will arises, her too-quick denials make her the mystery's most unsettling witness.

## In the story

### [Miss Morton Arrives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/ii-miss-morton-arrives)

An eccentric, sharp-tongued older woman who arrives unexpectedly; she was once engaged to Richard Van Norman.

### [III: A Cry in the Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/iii-a-cry-in-the-night)

Confirms the handwriting is Madeleine's; takes charge by telephoning for a doctor and preventing Mrs. Markham from touching the body.

### [Suicide or ⸻?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/iv-suicide-or)

Takes charge of telling Tom the news, shows emotional breakdown, and later asserts authority in the household.

### [VI: Fessenden Comes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/vi-fessenden-comes)

Enters excitedly to announce the coroner has been summoned.

### [VII: Mr. Benson’s Questions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/vii-mr-benson-s-questions)

Sits bolt upright with assumed placidity but is observed trembling, suggesting suppressed fear or terror.

### [A Soft Lead Pencil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/viii-a-soft-lead-pencil)

Volunteers to fetch Cicely and shows an officious, proprietorial manner toward her.

### [IX: The Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/ix-the-will)

Inherits the Van Norman house and residuary fortune under Madeleine's will; assumes an air of importance.

### [X: Some Testimony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/x-some-testimony)

Testifies about her past engagement to Richard Van Norman and her surprise at inheriting the house.

### [XV: Fessenden’s Detective Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xv-fessenden-s-detective-work)

Revealed as the heir to the Van Norman house; her burning of a paper raises suspicion.

### [Miss Morton's Statements](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xvii-miss-morton-s-statements)

Questioned about her movements on the night of the murder, her knowledge of her inheritance, and burning a paper from Madeleine's desk; she denies the accusations and gives contradictory statements.

### [Carleton Is Frank](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xviii-carleton-is-frank)

Now mistress of the Van Norman establishment, she enjoys her position and invites Kitty French to stay as her visitor.

### [The Truth About Miss Burt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xix-the-truth-about-miss-burt)

Discussed as a possible suspect; Carleton defends her, though Fessenden is suspicious of her behavior and inheritance.

### [XX: Cicely's Flight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xx-cicely-s-flight)

Informed of Cicely's departure but unaware of her destination; expresses disbelief at Cicely's possible guilt.

### [A Talk with Miss Morton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xxii-a-talk-with-miss-morton)

Reveals the burned paper was a bundle of old love letters from Richard Van Norman, which she burned to protect her privacy; explains her contradictory testimony as due to nervousness.

### [XXIII: Fleming Stone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xxiii-fleming-stone)

Hosts Fleming Stone at the Van Norman house; permits the tour of the rooms and mentions recent housecleaning.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/characters/elizabeth_morton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/characters