Will refuses to say anymore, and Blundell sends him home. Wimsey is irritated by the perplexities of the case and blames Deacon. He says, “Curse the man! He’s a perfect nuisance, dead or alive, and whoever killed him was a public benefactor. I wish I’d killed him myself” (338).

During this time, Mrs. Wilbraham dies of natural causes and leaves her entire estate to Hilary Thorpe. The emeralds have been bequeathed to Wimsey. In addition, the old lady has appointed him as the trustee of Hilary’s estate. This gives Wimsey more control over her money than Uncle Edward, and he intends to use it for the girl’s benefit.

In the same month, Wimsey and his aristocratic family are called to preside at the opening ceremonies for the new Wash Cut to improve drainage in the fens. At the gathering, Wimsey speaks to the engineer in charge, who is confident the project will be a great success. His lordship also encounters the old sluice-keeper at the opening, who isn’t at all sure the new cut will be an improvement. The old man observes, “Once you starts interferin’ with things you got to go on. One thing leads to another. Let ’m bide, that’s what I say.