# Lord Beckenham's Story explained — A Bid for Fortune

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

## What happens

Lord Beckenham recounts his abduction by Dr. Nikola and Mr. Draper after a chance encounter in the botanical gardens. He describes being mesmerized by Nikola and held captive, while Hatteras and the Inspector investigate Draper's house.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearances

Dr. Nikola and Draper use false pretenses and mesmerism to abduct Lord Beckenham.

### Good Versus Evil

The struggle between Hatteras and the Inspector against Nikola's criminal plans.

## Character check-ins

### Lord Beckenham

Narrates his abduction and mesmerism by Dr. Nikola.

### Dr. Nikola

Mesmerizes and holds Beckenham captive; orchestrates the abduction.

### Richard Hatteras

Receives news of Draper's house discovery; accompanies Inspector to investigate.

### Mr. Mathew Draper

Ally of Nikola; his house is discovered and raided.

### Mr. Inspector

Leads the investigation and raid on Draper's house.

### Eastover

Delivers a letter to Nikola during Beckenham's captivity.

## Key lines

> Put down that axe! ... Sit down in that chair. You cannot disobey me.

Nikola commands Beckenham to drop the hatchet and sit, using mesmerism to enforce obedience.

_Demonstrates Nikola's hypnotic control over Beckenham._

> I am an old South-Sea merchant myself, and I have amassed a large collection of beautiful objects from the islands.

The stranger in the gardens claims to be a merchant of South Sea artifacts to lure Beckenham.

_Part of the deception to abduct Beckenham._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/chapters/part-ii-iii-lord-beckenham-s-story
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/chapters