The novel begins in Marseille 'thirty years ago' (i.e. ca. 1826) with the notorious murderer Rigaud informing his cellmate that he has murdered his wife. There is also the character Arthur Clennam, who is returning to London to see his mother following the death of his father with whom he had lived for twenty years in China. As he died, his father had given Arthur a mysterious watch, murmuring, 'Your mother.' Naturally Arthur had assumed that it was intended for Mrs Clennam, whom he and the wor