The Footsteps at the Lock · Chapter
XXIII: Bredon Plays Patience Again explained
Nigel, now recovering, engages Angela in a philosophical debate about murder and moral responsibility, while Bredon investigates the alias 'Luke Wallace' and discovers that someone using that name stayed at a Witney hotel on the Sunday befo
What happens
Nigel, now recovering, engages Angela in a philosophical debate about murder and moral responsibility, while Bredon investigates the alias 'Luke Wallace' and discovers that someone using that name stayed at a Witney hotel on the Sunday before the canoe trip. Bredon deduces that the real Derek Burtell is alive and has been using the alias.
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 Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
This excerpt is the dramatic climax because it reveals the full psychological reversal: the narrator, previous…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Inheritance and Moral Responsibility
Nigel argues Derek has no right to exist and that killing him would not be wrong, while Angela counters that all lives deserve respect.
- Deception and Identity
Bredon uncovers that someone has been using the alias 'Luke Wallace' and deduces it is Derek Burtell, highlighting the theme of false identity.
- Appearance vs. Reality
Nigel's philosophical posturing about murder contrasts with his actual behavior; the hotel register reveals a hidden truth about Derek's survival.
Characters to notice
- Nigel Burtell
Sits up for the first time, debates morality of murder with Angela, admits he would have killed Derek if he could avoid hanging.
- Angela
Knits while visiting Nigel, engages in philosophical discussion, later accompanies Bredon to Witney to investigate.
- Miles Bredon
Investigates the Luke Wallace alias, discovers the hotel register entry, deduces Derek Burtell is alive.
- Mr. Leyland
Reports finding Nigel's passport photographs but no passport, discusses investigation with Bredon.
- Edward Farris
Present at the Gudgeon, confused when Bredon mentions Luke Wallace crossing the Channel, protests he has not left England.
Key passages
“Would you be shocked if you thought I'd done it?”
Nigel asks Angela if she would be shocked to believe he was a murderer.
Opens the philosophical debate about moral judgment.
“I would cheerfully have murdered my cousin at any time, if I could have made quite sure of not being hanged for it.”
Nigel admits he would have killed Derek if he could avoid punishment.
Reveals Nigel's ruthless pragmatism.
“The rack, the rack! Luke Wallace on the letter-rack! That's it, that does it all.”
Bredon exclaims that the hotel register entry for Luke Wallace solves the puzzle.
Key moment of deduction linking the alias to the crime.
“Is, of course, Derek Burtell.”
Bredon reveals that the real name behind the Luke Wallace alias is Derek Burtell.
Climactic revelation that Derek is alive.
