The Past Haunting the Present

Where it surfaces

• VI: Witness to a Meeting

  Webster's testimony brings a past sighting of Marbury into the present investigation, suggesting that events from the previous night are key to solving the murder.

• The Man from the Safe Deposit

  Aylmore's past acquaintance with Marbury resurfaces, and Marbury's remark about the box having been buried 'for many and many a year' hints at hidden history.

• XIII: Under Suspicion

  Aylmore's reference to a document kept for twenty years and his refusal to discuss events of twenty years ago indicate that past actions are now resurfacing.

• Market Milcaster

  The silver ticket, a relic from a defunct race meeting, links the present murder investigation to events decades old.

• XVI: The “Yellow Dragon”

  The old-timers' nightly reminiscences and the silver ticket from a bygone racecourse highlight how past events and objects continue to influence the present investigation.

• Mr. Quarterpage Harks Back

  The discovery of the silver ticket brings the history of Market Milcaster and the forgotten figure of John Maitland into the present investigation.

• XVIII: An Old Newspaper

  Spargo's discovery of the old newspaper reveals past events that continue to influence the current mystery.

• XIX: The Chamberlayne Story

  The unresolved Maitland case and the mystery of Chamberlayne's death continue to affect current events.

• XX: Maitland Alias Marbury

  The twenty-year-old Chamberlayne case resurfaces and is linked to the current murder investigation.

• Arrested

  Maitland's old photograph and his criminal history resurface, directly influencing the current murder investigation and Aylmore's arrest.

• XXII: The Blank Past

  Both Aylmore's and Marbury's pasts threaten to destroy their present lives and reputations.

• XXIII: Miss Baylis

  Maitland's criminal past and his treatment of the Baylis family continue to affect Miss Baylis's present life and the investigation.

• XXIV: Mother Gutch

  Jane Baylis's past actions regarding Maitland's son continue to affect the present investigation.

• XXVIII: Of Proved Identity

  Aylmore's criminal past from thirty years ago resurfaces to threaten his present life and reputation, while Elphick is terrified by the exposure of secrets long buried.

• XXIX: The Closed Doors

  Aylmore's past as Ainsworth is exposed, and Elphick's actions imply his own history is catching up with him.

• XXX: Revelation

  Maitland's murder and the discovery of the stamps connect past events to the present investigation; the plan to open Chamberlayne's grave shows the past's unresolved impact.

• XXXI: The Penitent Window-Cleaner

  The investigation into the stick and the impending grave opening at Market Milcaster suggest that past events are crucial to solving the murder.

• XXXII: The Contents of the Coffin

  The exhumation of a grave from 1891 brings old secrets to light, directly impacting the current investigation and the lives of those involved.

• XXXIII: Forestalled

  The journey to the remote cottage is driven by the need to confront Elphick and Cardlestone, whose past actions are central to the mystery.

• Myerst Explains

  The Market Milcaster bank fraud and Chamberlayne's fake death continue to affect the present, leading to blackmail and murder.

• The Final Telegram

  Cardlestone's past as Chamberlayne and the unresolved murder of Maitland continue to drive the plot, culminating in Cardlestone's death.