Chapter 15 Summary

The next morning, as he approaches the Press, Frank sends two apprentices who have been waiting for the Press to open, with a message to Tvyordov telling him that there has been a break-in and that he need not come in that day—that his pay would not be docked. A police and an orderly appear, having been told of the break-in by the night watchman. Frank explains to them that it was nothing. He casts doubt on whether the night watchman actually heard shots. Selwyn comes in and says a copy of Birch Tree Thoughts is missing. The police are familiar with Selwyn. The Inspector asks, "What do birch trees think?" Selwyn, who thinks that all questions should be answered, says that they think in the same way as women, at the whim of the winds. Frank can see that the...