# Inheritance and Moral Responsibility in The Footsteps at the Lock

> Theme guide for The Footsteps at the Lock by Ronald A. Knox.

The book opens with a philosophical meditation on the ethics of wills and property disposal, and the entire plot revolves around a contested inheritance that drives the cousins' conflict and the mystery.

## Where it surfaces

- [I: Two Cousins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_footsteps_at_the_lock_se/chapters/i-two-cousins): The cousins' futures are tied to Sir John Burtell's will, with Derek's reckless spending and Nigel's anticipation of the fortune shaping their actions.
- [XIII: Pursued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_footsteps_at_the_lock_se/chapters/xiii-pursued): The motive of Aunt Alma's wealth and the cousins' potential inheritance drives much of the speculation about the disappearance.
- [XV: A New Legacy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_footsteps_at_the_lock_se/chapters/xv-a-new-legacy): The new will introduces a substantial inheritance that shifts motives and raises questions about moral duty and greed.
- [XIX: The Story Nigel Told](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_footsteps_at_the_lock_se/chapters/xix-the-story-nigel-told): The entire plot revolves around securing Aunt Alma's inheritance, with Nigel admitting he had 'no moral scruples' about the scheme.
- [XXII: Another Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_footsteps_at_the_lock_se/chapters/xxii-another-story): The chapter revolves around Mrs. Coolman's will, the inheritance of the Burtell cousins, and Farris's own stake in the estate.
- [XXIII: Bredon Plays Patience Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_footsteps_at_the_lock_se/chapters/xxiii-bredon-plays-patience-again): Nigel argues Derek has no right to exist and that killing him would not be wrong, while Angela counters that all lives deserve respect.
- [XXV: A Postscript](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_footsteps_at_the_lock_se/chapters/xxv-a-postscript): Nigel grapples with the temptation to let Derek die to inherit the fifty thousand pounds, ultimately choosing not to interfere.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_footsteps_at_the_lock_se/themes/inheritance_and_moral_responsibility
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_footsteps_at_the_lock_se/themes