The Three Taps · Chapters

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Chapter companions for The Three Taps by Ronald A. Knox.

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Chapter 1
Dedication
The book is dedicated to Susan and Francis Baker, with a playful warning that Francis must not stay up too late reading it.
Chapter 2
The Three Taps
The chapter introduces the setting and the mysterious death of Mr. Mottram, whose body is found in a locked room. The investigation begins, with Miles Bredon arriving to assist Inspector Leyland. The chapter explores themes of deception, detection, and the contrast between appearance and reality.
Chapter 3
I: The Euthanasia Policy
This chapter introduces the Indescribable Insurance Company and its innovative Euthanasia policy, which provides both a death benefit and an annuity. The reader meets Mr. Mottram, a wealthy but ailing client who attempts to negotiate a cancellation of his policy in exchange for half his premiums, but is refused by the company representative.
Chapter 4
II: The Detective Malgré Lui
This chapter introduces Miles Bredon, the private detective for the Indescribable insurance company, and his wife Angela. It explains Bredon's background, his role investigating fraud for the company, and his capricious but brilliant methods. After dinner one evening, Angela takes a phone call from the office about a case involving a man named Mottram, who died in a locked room at an inn in Chilthorpe, possibly by suicide. Bredon deduces the details from Angela's side of the conversation, and they prepare to travel to Chilthorpe the next morning.
Chapter 5
III: At the Load of Mischief
Miles and Angela Bredon arrive at the Load of Mischief inn in Chilthorpe, where they learn from a fishing old gentleman that Mr. Mottram has been found dead, apparently by suicide. The landlady, Mrs. Davis, is voluble and distressed, and the Bredons settle in, with Angela noting that Mottram's signature in the visitors' book is dated June 13th with a blank end date, which Miles observes is unusual since visitors typically sign only upon departure.

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Dedication

The Three Taps

I: The Euthanasia Policy

II: The Detective Malgré Lui

III: At the Load of Mischief