The Middle Temple Murder · Chapters

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Chapter companions for The Middle Temple Murder by J. S. Fletcher.

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Chapter 1
I: The Scrap of Grey Paper
On the morning of June 22, 1912, Frank Spargo, a sub-editor for the Watchman, stumbles upon a murder scene in Middle Temple Lane. A well-dressed elderly man is found dead in an entry, apparently struck from behind. The body is stripped of valuables, and the only clue is a scrap of grey paper in the victim's waistcoat pocket bearing the address of Ronald Breton, a barrister in King's Bench Walk. Spargo, drawn by journalistic instinct, decides to investigate.
Chapter 2
His First Brief
Spargo accompanies Detective-Sergeant Rathbury to visit Ronald Breton, whose name and address were found on a scrap of paper in the murdered man's pocket. Breton denies knowing the victim and agrees to view the body at the mortuary, but fails to identify him. Spargo becomes increasingly curious about Breton and the case.
Chapter 3
III: The Clue of the Cap
Spargo meets Ronald Breton at the Law Courts and is introduced to his fiancée Evelyn Aylmore and her sister Jessie. After Breton wins his first case, Spargo is introduced to Mr. Elphick, who is deeply interested in the murder. Spargo and Breton then meet Detective Rathbury, who reveals that the cap worn by the victim was traced to Fiskie's hatter and sent to Mr. Marbury at the Anglo-Orient Hotel. They decide to investigate further.
Chapter 4
IV: The Anglo-Orient Hotel
Spargo, Rathbury, and Breton visit the Anglo-Orient Hotel near Waterloo Station, where they learn that John Marbury had checked in the previous morning, went out late with a tall, grey-bearded gentleman, and never returned. The landlady confirms Marbury had a gold watch, ring, and a handful of gold, all missing from the body found in Middle Temple Lane. Rathbury searches Marbury's room but finds no papers or clues to his identity, and the trail now leads to finding the mysterious companion.
Chapter 5
V: Spargo Wishes to Specialize
Spargo and Breton discuss the murder case, with Spargo deciding to focus on the scrap of paper found on the body rather than the detective's line of inquiry. They visit Mr. Cardlestone, who initially shows irritation but becomes interested upon learning the victim came from Australia and had Breton's name. Cardlestone and Elphick view the body but claim not to recognize it. Spargo then convinces his editor to let him specialize in covering the case, securing two columns for the next day's paper.

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I: The Scrap of Grey Paper

His First Brief

III: The Clue of the Cap

IV: The Anglo-Orient Hotel

V: Spargo Wishes to Specialize