The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America Part II, Chapter 4 Summary

Remains of the Day

  • Julia tells Holmes she's pregnant.
  • Holmes convinces her marriage comes first, then children. He persuades her to have an abortion and says he'll perform the operation himself.
  • On Christmas Eve, Julia tucks Pearl into bed. The neighbor Mrs. Crowe takes notes of how excited Pearl is for Christmas Day to arrive tomorrow.
  • Holmes smothers Julia with chloroform and does the same to Pearl.
  • The Crowes become suspicious when Julia and Pearl are not at Christmas the next day, and Holmes tells them they decided to visit friends. You know, spur-of-the-moment trip.
  • Holmes pays his associate Charles Chappell to deliver Julia and Pearl's bodies to science, as cadavers were in high demand and Holmes knows he can profit financially from such business.