# XI: In Which Lakington Plays His Last "Coup" explained — Bulldog Drummond

> Chapter companion for Bulldog Drummond by H. C. McNeile.

## What happens

Drummond and Toby Sinclair drive to Laidley Towers, where Drummond anticipates the end of his hunt against Peterson and Lakington. After narrowly escaping an assassination attempt, Drummond infiltrates a party where Lakington, disguised as an Indian entertainer named Ram Dar, performs a daring theft of a Chinese cabinet containing a pearl necklace. Drummond later confronts Lakington, forcing him into a bath of acid, but Lakington escapes only to be killed by his own booby-trapped staircase. The chapter ends with Drummond and the American noting that only Peterson and Irma remain.

## Themes in this chapter

### Villainy and Moral Ambiguity

Lakington's cold, theatrical villainy is contrasted with Drummond's ruthless but justified retribution, blurring the line between justice and vengeance.

### Deception and Disguise

Lakington's flawless impersonation of an Indian entertainer and the theft of the cabinet highlight the theme of disguise as a tool for crime.

### Heroism and Masculinity

Drummond's physical courage, strategic thinking, and willingness to face danger alone embody a traditional masculine heroism.

## Character check-ins

### Captain Hugh Drummond

Drives to Laidley Towers, narrowly avoids assassination, infiltrates the party, and ultimately confronts and causes Lakington's death.

### Henry Lakington

Disguised as Indian entertainer Ram Dar, steals a Chinese cabinet, and later dies after being forced into an acid bath and struck by his own booby-trap.

### Toby Sinclair

Accompanies Drummond to Laidley Towers but is sent back with the car; expresses concern about the plan.

### Irma Peterson

Attends the party and conceals the stolen Chinese cabinet under her cloak.

### Carl Peterson

Mentioned as remaining at large after Lakington's death.

### Phyllis Benton

Mentioned as safely asleep in Drummond's flat in London; Drummond thinks of marrying her soon.

## Key lines

> story which reflected considerable glory on the predatory nature of a previous Duke. At the moment, however, he was not concerned with its past history, but with its present fate; and it was the consummate quickness of the girl that made him rub his eyes.

The tale highlighted the thieving tendencies of an earlier Duke, but Hugh was focused on the current situation, and the girl's swift actions amazed him.

_Drummond observes Irma's quick substitution of the cabinet._

> It was an Indian who stood there, and when a few days later Hugh returned her pearls to the Duchess, for a long time neither she nor her husband would believe that Ram Dar had been an Englishman disguised.

Lakington's disguise as an Indian was so convincing that the Duchess and Duke initially refused to believe he was actually an Englishman in costume.

_The perfection of Lakington's disguise is emphasized._

> And thus did the invention of which he was proudest break the inventor's own neck. Truly, the retribution was just.

The very booby-trap Lakington had designed and taken pride in ended up killing him, a fitting punishment.

_Lakington's death is caused by his own device._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulldog_drummond_se/chapters/xi-in-which-lakington-plays-his-last-coup
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulldog_drummond_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulldog_drummond_se/chapters