Chapter 23 Summary

Tom writes to Mr. Greenleaf about the last time he saw Dickie, who is now officially considered either missing, or hiding from the authorities. Tom says he last saw Dickie around February 2 in Rome. Dickie seemed depressed, and Tom fears he has killed himself, or gone into hiding. Tom also writes a friendly letter to Marge, inviting her to Venice, although she declines. The Oggi newspaper is running a life story of Dickie Greenleaf, spread over two weeks. Many papers speculate that Signor Greenleaf has fled to Tahiti, South America or Mexico.

Tom rents a palazzo on the canal in Venice. The only remotely modern part of the building is the bathroom. He types Dickie's will, bequeathing his trust fund and all his worldly possessions to his good friend, Tom Ripley. Tom decides not to risk trying to get a witness to the...