Chapters 16-18 Summary

In Chapter 16, Mary wakes the following afternoon in the vicarage at Altarnun. Mr. Davey insisted she stay at his home the night before and he gave a medication in her drink to help her sleep. Mary goes downstairs and finds the house empty. Curious about the vicar, Mary looks at his paintings and in the drawers of his desk. Mary finds a caricature of Mr. Davey and his congregation that is disturbing. A moment later, Mr. Davey comes in. Mr. Davey directs Mary to set dinner on the table. During dinner, Mary finds it hard to look at Mr. Davey because the drawing has changed her opinion of him. Mr. Davey recognizes this and begins to tell Mary the truth about the murders of her aunt and uncle. Mr. Davey tells Mary that Jem has a nail that fell off the...