Deception and Fraud

Where it surfaces

• I: The Euthanasia Policy

  The policy explicitly warns against suicide to prevent fraud, and the company's refusal to cancel suggests a rigid system that may invite deceptive behavior.

• II: The Detective Malgré Lui

  The chapter details the Indescribable's approach to insurance fraud and Bredon's role in uncovering fraudulent claims, such as the motor-bicycle mother-in-law case and the bootlegger's seawater cargo.

• V: Supper, and Mr. Brinkman

  Bredon probes whether Mottram's story about a specialist was a lie, and Brinkman insists it was genuine.

• VII: From Leyland’s Notebook

  The chapter focuses on the murderer's staged suicide scene—the half-finished letter, wound watch, and sleeping draught glass—as acts of deception.

• VIII: The Bishop at Home

  Bredon uses the alias Mr. Brendan and conceals his true purpose, while the Bishop unknowingly provides information about Mottram's insurance and health.

• X: The Bet Doubled

  Bredon's theory centers on Simmonds' fraudulent scheme to murder Mottram and collect the insurance money.

• XI: The Generalship of Angela

  Angela's entire scheme is a carefully orchestrated deception to secretly inspect the men's cigarettes without their knowledge.

• XII: The Makings of a Trap

  The central plot involves a planned deception to trap Brinkman, highlighting the theme of deception in investigation.

• XIII: A Morning with the Haberdasher

  Leyland and Bredon stage a deceptive conversation to trap Brinkman; Bredon pretends to shop for handkerchiefs to observe Simmonds.

• XIV: Bredon Is Taken for a Walk

  Angela deceives Emmeline by pretending to be the advice columnist Aunt Daphne to extract information about Simmonds.

• XV: A Scrap of Paper

  Simmonds's attempt to destroy the will to inherit the Euthanasia policy involves deception and fraudulent intent.

• XVI: A Visitor from Pullford

  Bredon theorizes that Brinkman planted a fake clue (the burnt will fragment) as double bluff to mislead Leyland.

• XVII: Mysterious Behaviour of the Old Gentleman

  Pulteney's false excuse for missing the funeral and Brinkman's secret preparations highlight deception.

• XVIII: The Barmaid Is Brought to Book

  Emmeline fabricates a story to protect Simmonds, and the group uncovers the layers of deceit.

• XIX: How Leyland Spent the Evening

  The elaborate ruse involving the cinema party and staged departure to trap Brinkman.

• XXI: How Eames Spent the Evening

  Brinkman's furtive actions and flight suggest ongoing deception.

• XXII: At a Standstill

  Brinkman's elaborate escape plan involves false names, a pre-arranged car, and paying bills to maintain appearances, illustrating calculated deception.

• XXIII: Leyland’s Account of It All

  Leyland's theory revolves around Brinkman's attempt to fake suicide to defraud the insurance company, and the chapter explores the deception involved in the murder plot.

• XXIV: Mottram’s Account of It All

  Mottram attempts to conceal his suicide to ensure the insurance payout, and the Bishop initially keeps the letter secret.

• XXV: Bredon's Account of It All

  Mottram and Brinkman's elaborate plan to test the Bishop's honesty involves deception, including a fake codicil and a staged suicide.