# Crime and Injustice in The Trail of the Serpent

> Theme guide for The Trail of the Serpent by M. E. Braddon.

The narrative centers on a wrongful accusation and the pursuit of a murderer, exploring how suspicion and circumstantial evidence can condemn an innocent man (Richard Marwood) while the true criminal (the Count de Marolles) evades justice.

## Where it surfaces

- [The Usher Washes His Hands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/iii-the-usher-washes-his-hands): Jabez's poisoning of the boy and his mysterious nighttime expedition suggest a criminal act, while his position of trust allows him to evade suspicion.
- [IV: Richard Marwood Lights His Pipe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/iv-richard-marwood-lights-his-pipe): Richard is arrested on suspicion of murdering his uncle, despite his apparent innocence and bewilderment, highlighting the theme of wrongful accusation.
- [VI: Two Coroner’s Inquests](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/vi-two-coroner-s-inquests): The murder of Montague Harding and the subsequent inquest that wrongfully charges Richard Marwood, highlighting the flaws in the justice system and public prejudice.
- [The Dumb Detective a Philanthropist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/vii-the-dumb-detective-a-philanthropist): Richard Marwood awaits trial for a murder he did not commit, with every circumstance against him, highlighting the theme of potential miscarriage of justice.
- [Seven Letters on the Dirty Alphabet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/viii-seven-letters-on-the-dirty-alphabet): The trial of Richard Marwood highlights the tension between circumstantial evidence and actual innocence, as the prosecution builds a seemingly airtight case while Richard maintains his innocence.
- [IX: “Mad, Gentlemen of the Jury”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/ix-mad-gentlemen-of-the-jury): The trial process unfolds, with the prosecution building a case against Richard while the defense argues for diminished responsibility.
- [Book II: A Clearance of All Scores](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/book-ii-a-clearance-of-all-scores): The murder of Montague Harding and the subsequent arrest of Richard Marwood highlight themes of crime and potential miscarriage of justice.
- [VI: The Quiet Figure on the Heath](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/vi-the-quiet-figure-on-the-heath): The discovery of a dead body and the subsequent police investigation highlight the theme of crime and the search for justice.
- [Book III: Holy Institution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/book-iii-holy-institution): Richard's confinement in the asylum is a form of injustice, as he is punished for a crime he may not have committed, reflecting the failures of the legal and medical systems.
- [Bad Dreams and a Worse Waking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/viii-bad-dreams-and-a-worse-waking): Gaston de Lancy's death is suspected to be murder by poison, but no inquest is held; the crime goes unpunished as Paris quickly forgets.
- [I: The Boy from Slopperton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/i-the-boy-from-slopperton): Richard was convicted of murder and imprisoned in an asylum, yet the chapter questions the justice of such prolonged solitary punishment.
- [Mr. Augustus Darley and Mr. Joseph Peters Go Out Fishing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/ii-mr-augustus-darley-and-mr-joseph-peters-go-out-fishing): The mention of Richard Marwood's trial eight years ago evokes past injustice and the ongoing investigation.
- [V: The Cherokees Take an Oath](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/v-the-cherokees-take-an-oath): Richard seeks the Cherokees' help to find the real murderer of Montague Harding, highlighting his wrongful accusation and the quest for justice.
- [Mr. Peters Relates How He Thought He Had a Clue, and How He Lost It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/vi-mr-peters-relates-how-he-thought-he-had-a-clue-and-how-he-lost-it): Richard remains under the stigma of a false accusation despite his escape from prison; the real murderer is dead, leaving justice unattained.
- [Book V: The Dumb Detective](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/book-v-the-dumb-detective): The investigation into murders and wrongful accusations drives the plot.
- [II: Mr. Peters Sees a Ghost](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/ii-mr-peters-sees-a-ghost): Mr. Peters hints at a 'little outstanding matter' between him and the Count, implying unresolved criminal business.
- [III: The Cherokees Mark Their Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/iii-the-cherokees-mark-their-man): Richard Marwood, wrongly accused of murder, now works to identify the true culprit, the Count de Marolles, highlighting the theme of injustice and the pursuit of justice.
- [One Step Further on the Right Track](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/viii-one-step-further-on-the-right-track): Richard, though innocent, has been branded a criminal and lunatic; the investigation now seeks to expose the true murderer and clear his name.
- [IX: Captain Lansdown Overhears a Conversation Which Appears to Interest Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/ix-captain-lansdown-overhears-a-conversation-which-appears-to-interest-him): Valerie accuses Blurosset of complicity in murder, and Blurosset admits to providing poison for a test, highlighting the theme of criminal acts and the pursuit of justice.
- [Book VI: On the Track](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/book-vi-on-the-track): The pursuit of the true criminal underscores the miscarriage of justice suffered by Richard Marwood and the systemic flaws in the legal process.
- [I: Father and Son](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/i-father-and-son): Raymond's arrest for forgery and the exposure of his criminal past drive the chapter's conflict.
- [IV: What They Find in the Room in Which the Murder Was Committed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/iv-what-they-find-in-the-room-in-which-the-murder-was-committed): Peters investigates the murder scene, uncovering potential evidence that Richard Marwood may have been wrongly convicted due to overlooked details like blood dripping through the floor.
- [Mr. Peters Decides on a Strange Step, and Arrests the Dead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/v-mr-peters-decides-on-a-strange-step-and-arrests-the-dead): The pursuit and arrest of the murderer Raymond Marolles highlights the theme of crime and the quest for justice.
- [VI: The End of the Dark Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/vi-the-end-of-the-dark-road): The trial of Raymond de Marolles highlights the flaws of circumstantial evidence and the public's thirst for sensational justice, echoing Richard Marwood's earlier wrongful conviction.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/themes/crime_and_injustice
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/themes