The Door with Seven Locks · Chapter
V explained
Dick Martin's flat becomes a crime scene when Lew Pheeney's body is discovered.
What happens
Dick Martin's flat becomes a crime scene when Lew Pheeney's body is discovered. The police investigate the mysterious circumstances of the murder, and Dick is allowed to leave England after the inquest to pursue a dangerous mission.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the discovery of the key—the twin to the one locked in the ba…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Crime and Detection
The chapter focuses on the police investigation into Lew Pheeney's murder, with detectives examining the flat and theorizing how the killer entered.
- Secrecy and Deception
Lew's strange story is suppressed by the police, and Dick's mission remains shrouded in mystery as he departs England.
Characters to notice
- Dick Martin
Hosts the police investigation in his dining-room; discovers Lew Pheeney's body; later meets with Mr. Havelock and departs England.
- Inspector Sneed
Leads the investigation at Dick's flat; examines the kitchen door and service lift as possible entry points.
- Lew Pheeney
Found dead in Dick's flat; cause of death is strangulation or a broken neck.
- Mr. Havelock
Interviewed by Dick about the murder's impact on their plans; agrees to extend the timeline.
Key passages
“So far as I can tell by a superficial examination, he’s been dead for some hours, and was either strangled or his neck was broken.”
The doctor's initial assessment indicates Lew Pheeney died several hours ago, likely from strangulation or a broken neck.
Medical examination reveals cause of death.
“There’s only one way he could have come in, and that is through the kitchenette.”
Inspector Sneed concludes the killer's only possible entry was via the kitchenette door.
Sneed identifies the likely point of entry.
