# The Past Haunting the Present in The Middle Temple Murder

> Theme guide for The Middle Temple Murder by J. S. Fletcher.

Long-buried events, such as Maitland's imprisonment and the theft of the walking stick, resurface to shape current actions and relationships, driving the mystery and characters' fears.

## Where it surfaces

- [VI: Witness to a Meeting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/viii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xv-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”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xvii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xix-the-chamberlayne-story): The unresolved Maitland case and the mystery of Chamberlayne's death continue to affect current events.
- [XX: Maitland Alias Marbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xx-maitland-alias-marbury): The twenty-year-old Chamberlayne case resurfaces and is linked to the current murder investigation.
- [Arrested](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxi-arrested): Maitland's old photograph and his criminal history resurface, directly influencing the current murder investigation and Aylmore's arrest.
- [XXII: The Blank Past](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxii-the-blank-past): Both Aylmore's and Marbury's pasts threaten to destroy their present lives and reputations.
- [XXIII: Miss Baylis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxiv-mother-gutch): Jane Baylis's past actions regarding Maitland's son continue to affect the present investigation.
- [XXVIII: Of Proved Identity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxxv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxxvi-the-final-telegram): Cardlestone's past as Chamberlayne and the unresolved murder of Maitland continue to drive the plot, culminating in Cardlestone's death.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/themes/the_past_haunting_the_present
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/themes