The Greene Murder Case · Chapter
The Lost Poisons explained
Vance explains his reasoning behind finding the galoshes in the linen-closet, arguing that the footprints were deliberately made by someone in the Greene household to mislead the police.
What happens
Vance explains his reasoning behind finding the galoshes in the linen-closet, arguing that the footprints were deliberately made by someone in the Greene household to mislead the police. He and Markham discuss the implications, concluding that the murderer must be a member of the household. Later, Doctor Von Blon reports that morphine and strychnine have been stolen from his medical case while he was at the Greene house, adding a new layer of suspicion.
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
- Aftermath
- Closing
This chapter marks the dramatic climax because it delivers the long-dreaded attack on Ada, the last surviving…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Detection and Rational Inquiry
Vance's logical analysis of the footprints and the hidden galoshes exemplifies the theme of rational deduction.
- Secrecy and Hidden Truth
The hidden galoshes and the stolen poisons underscore the theme of concealed evidence and hidden motives within the household.
- Psychological Motivation and Insanity
Vance's discussion of the murderer's calculated behavior and the inexplicable aspects of Rex's death highlight the psychological complexity of the crimes.
Characters to notice
- Philo Vance
Explains his deductive reasoning about the footprints and galoshes, and discusses the psychological profile of murderers.
- John F.-X. Markham
Listens to Vance's theory, expresses horror at the idea that the murderer is a household member, and receives Von Blon's report about the stolen poisons.
- Doctor Von Blon
Reports to Markham that morphine and strychnine were stolen from his medical case while he was at the Greene house.
- Rex Greene
Mentioned as having been shot in his room; his peaceful expression and the fact that no one upstairs heard the shot are noted as puzzling.
- Sproot
Mentioned as having heard the shot that killed Rex Greene from the butler's pantry downstairs.
Key passages
“I never put any stock in the burglar theory, and so was able to approach the problem with a virgin mind, as it were.”
Vance says he never believed the burglar theory, which allowed him to think about the case without preconceptions.
Vance explains his unbiased approach to the investigation.
“Nothing has 'just happened' in this case. There's a terrible logic about everything—a carefully planned reason behind each detail.”
Vance asserts that every event in the case is deliberate and logically connected, not random.
Vance emphasizes the meticulous planning behind the murders.
