# II: On the Trail explained — A Bid for Fortune

> Chapter companion for A Bid for Fortune by Guy Boothby.

## What happens

Hatteras and Wetherell return home from Government House, hoping to find Phyllis safe, but she is not there. They question the coachman Thompson, who reveals he was drugged by a man matching Dr. Nikola's description. Hatteras and a police inspector go to the Canary Bird Hotel to investigate.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearances

The sham Beckenham and Dr. Nikola's cunning disguise highlight the theme of deception, as they manipulate appearances to kidnap Phyllis.

### Adventure and Exploration

Hatteras's determined pursuit of the kidnappers across Sydney reflects the adventurous spirit of the narrative.

## Character check-ins

### Richard Hatteras

Takes charge of the investigation, questions Wetherell and Thompson, and leads the police to the Canary Bird Hotel.

### Lord Beckenham

Referred to as Mr. Wetherell; distraught over his daughter's disappearance, cooperates with Hatteras and the police.

### Phyllis

Missing; believed to have been taken by the gang, now in Nikola's hands for three hours.

### Dr. Nikola

Identified by Hatteras as the man who drugged Thompson; described as tall, slim, sallow, with dark eyes and a snake ring.

### Mr. Inspector

Police inspector who accompanies Hatteras to the Canary Bird Hotel to investigate.

### Dawson

The coachman Thompson, who was drugged by Nikola and gives a detailed account of the events.

## Key lines

> As soon as Wetherell was able to speak again he said as feebly as an old man of ninety, "Take me home, Mr. Hatteras, take me home, and let us think out together there what is best to be done to rescue my poor child."

Wetherell, barely able to speak, asks Hatteras to take him home so they can plan how to save his daughter.

_Wetherell's desperation and reliance on Hatteras are evident._

> Then it was Nikola," I cried in an outburst of astonishment, "and he followed us to Australia after all!"

Hatteras realizes that Dr. Nikola has followed them to Australia, expressing shock.

_Key revelation linking Nikola to the kidnapping._

> Phyllis had been in Nikola's hands three hours.

Phyllis has been with Nikola for three hours by the time they start their investigation.

_Heightens the urgency of the search._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/chapters/part-ii-ii-on-the-trail
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/chapters