The Bishop Murder Case

Elderly Prof. Dillard and his servant discover the body of Joseph Robin, a family friend, with an arrow in his chest from his balcony. Dillard contacts district attorney Markham, beginning the investigation. Detective Philo Vance and Detective Heath are introduced to examine the scene and suspects.

Vance deduces that Robin’s death was staged; the arrow scene was fake, and Robin was actually bludgeoned inside the house. However, no clear suspect emerges, deepening the mystery surrounding the murder. Tensions grow among the residents as the investigation begins.

Sigurd Arnesson, Dillard’s adopted son and Belle’s boyfriend, arrives home from college after hearing about Robin’s murder. The family and nearby neighbors react to his return during the ongoing investigation, adding him as a person of interest.

Neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Drukker are scrutinized, as she has a possible motive due to an injury and might have seen the crime from her window. Her nervousness and her claims of seeing nothing add to the suspicion, especially since she admits to being in Dillard's house before the murder.

A typewritten note signed 'the Bishop' is found, hinting at the nursery rhyme 'Cock Robin' and connecting to Robin’s nickname. Despite investigating suspects like Sperling and others, the note is confirmed not to be from any of the known typewriters in the neighborhood.

John Pardee, a chess enthusiast and neighbor, is found murdered with a gunshot to the head. This death parallels the nursery rhyme 'Jack and Jill,' intensifying the sense of a calculated killer at large.

Followed by Drukker’s death, who is pushed off a wall in a park and is found with a chess bishop in her hand, matching the motif of the chess game. Her sister is also found dead, likely from fright, and a valuable research notebook is stolen.

Pardee’s mysterious death is confirmed; a house of cards is built after his death, with a chess bishop on top, symbolizing the nursery rhyme 'This Is the House That Jack Built.' This deepens the puzzle’s complexity and suggests a pattern.

Dillard expresses concerns over Arnesson, referencing 'The Pretenders' by Henrik Ibsen, which he believes is relevant to the case. This hints at deeper psychological themes within the story.

Later, Belle finds the typewriter used by 'the Bishop' in the attic, just before she is attacked and kidnapped. Vance’s insight about Arnesson’s connection to a character in 'The Pretenders' becomes crucial.

Vance and the police investigate and find Belle tied up in a cupola. Arnesson’s window is open, but he and Belle are missing, prompting a search. Vance quickly begins to connect the dots between the characters and the murder scheme.

Vance and the team confront Arnesson, who acts guilty. Dillard secretly prepares to poison Arnesson by switching wine glasses, revealing his own sinister motives rooted in jealousy and a desire for control.

It’s revealed that Dillard is the real murderer, orchestrating the killings to frame Arnesson. His jealous motives and elaborate schemes are exposed as he tries to fake Arnesson’s suicide and hide his own guilt.

As Vance and the police expose Dillard, Arnesson and Belle share a heartfelt embrace. Dillard’s plans are foiled, and the case concludes with the truth coming to light, ending the series of murders.

Vance prevents Dillard from poisoning Arnesson, ensuring justice is served. The mystery tied to the nursery rhyme and character references is fully unraveled, bringing closure to the investigation.