Deception and Fraud

Where it surfaces

• Marion D'Arblay at Home

  The cut brake wire suggests deliberate sabotage, possibly linked to the murder; the coin found in the pond hints at forgery or deception.

• Enlarging Thorndyke's Knowledge

  The discussion of a hypothetical fraudulent coin-making scheme highlights the theme of deception, with the sculptor potentially being used unknowingly.

• Simon Bendelow, Deceased

  Mrs. Morris's suspicious efficiency and the unusual promptness of the cremation arrangements hint at potential deceit.

• A Strange Misadventure

  The gold coin is revealed to be a copy, suggesting a scheme involving stolen originals and forged replicas.

• A Dramatic Discovery

  The mask reveals that Julius D'Arblay had secret dealings with Morris, hinting at hidden or questionable transactions.

• A Narrow Escape

  The photograph's resemblance to Bendelow and the unknown attacker suggests hidden identities and possible fraud.

• Thorndyke Proposes a New Move

  The chapter revolves around the suspicion that the identity of the deceased Crile is fraudulent, and that the official story is not what it seems.

• A Surprise for the Superintendent

  The empty coffin reveals a deliberate deception involving a mock funeral and substitution of the body.

• A Chapter of Surprises

  The chapter revolves around a staged identification using a waxwork, highlighting the deceptive nature of appearances and the fraud surrounding Bendelow's death.

• The Last Act

  The suspect's use of makeup to disguise his identity, fooling even those who knew him.

• Thorndyke Disentangles the Threads

  The chapter reveals the fraudulent scheme involving a forged guinea and a wax mask, as well as the deceptive practices surrounding Bendelow's cremation.