The Three Taps · Chapter
VI: An Ear at the Keyhole explained
Bredon and Angela discuss the case in their room, debating suicide versus murder.
What happens
Bredon and Angela discuss the case in their room, debating suicide versus murder. Bredon presents evidence for suicide (locked door, match usage, gas tap marks), while Angela playfully challenges him. They suspect someone was listening at the keyhole. Bredon later warns Leyland about eavesdroppers.
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 Exposition.
- Setup
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This chapter marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of tension thr…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Detection and Rationality
Bredon and Angela analyze clues (locked door, gas tap marks, match usage) to deduce suicide vs. murder.
- Appearance vs. Reality
Bredon suspects Brinkman's innocence is feigned; the locked door appears to indicate suicide but may be deceptive.
- Marriage and Partnership
Angela and Bredon work as a team, using 'Watson work' and playful banter to solve the mystery.
Characters to notice
- Miles Bredon
Debates suicide theory with Angela, examines door, suspects eavesdropper, warns Leyland.
- Angela Bredon
Plays ingénue with Pulteney, engages in Watson work, discusses case with Miles.
- Mr. Pulteney
Found filling crossword in coffee room; Angela's favorite; suspected of listening at keyhole.
- Mr. Brinkman
Bredon thinks he knows more than he says; his explanation for the gas tap is dismissed.
- Mr. Leyland
In bar parlour listening to gossip; Bredon warns him about eavesdroppers.
Key passages
“I think he’s a bit deep. I think he knows just a little more about all this than he says.”
Bredon suspects Brinkman is hiding information.
Bredon shares his impression of Brinkman with Angela.
“Miles, I forbid you to suspect Mr. Pulteney; he’s my favourite man.”
Angela defends Pulteney and asks Bredon not to suspect him.
Angela expresses fondness for Pulteney.
“If Mottram had gone to bed in the ordinary way, as he must have in the event of foul play or accident, we should have seen where he turned it off as well as where he turned it on.”
Bredon argues that the absence of a turn-off mark on the gas tap suggests suicide, not murder or accident.
Bredon explains his reasoning about the gas tap marks.
“I could have sworn I heard footsteps going softly away. It must have been somebody actually at the keyhole.”
Bredon believes someone was eavesdropping outside their door.
Bredon detects a listener at the keyhole.
