Bulldog Drummond · Chapter
In Which the Last Round Takes Place explained
Drummond and the American detective examine Peterson's ledger, revealing a vast revolutionary organization funded by crime and led by Peterson, who manipulates various radicals and intellectuals.
What happens
Drummond and the American detective examine Peterson's ledger, revealing a vast revolutionary organization funded by crime and led by Peterson, who manipulates various radicals and intellectuals. Potts arrives, recovering from his drugging, and recounts his ordeal. The group debates whether to hand Peterson over to the police.
Themes in this chapter
Criminal Conspiracy and Revolution
Peterson's ledger reveals a vast revolutionary network manipulating radicals and intellectuals for his own gain.
Class and Social Order
Discussion of workingmen being duped by self-serving leaders, and the failure of the upper classes to guide them.
Villainy and Moral Ambiguity
Peterson's scheme is criminal yet not technically illegal; the group debates whether to use police or handle it themselves.
Characters to notice
- Captain Hugh Drummond
Examines Peterson's ledger, discusses the revolutionary scheme, and plans to hand Peterson to police.
- Mr. Jerome K. Green
The American detective who analyzes the ledger and explains Peterson's manipulation of revolutionary leaders.
- Mr. Hiram Potts
Recovers from drugging, recounts his kidnapping and refusal to sign a document, and learns of the plot against him.
- Ted Jerningham
Brings Potts to The Elms and jokes about Drummond's upcoming wedding.
- Carl Peterson
Mentioned as the mastermind behind the revolutionary organization; expected at the meeting.
- Irma Peterson
Mentioned alongside Carl Peterson as a concern for what to do with them.
- Peter Darrell
Suggests involving the police to handle Peterson.
- Algy Longworth
Briefly mentioned as speaking to Drummond on the phone about Phyllis and her father.
Key passages
“Why, if these are the sums of money Peterson has blown, the man must have spent a fortune. Two thousand pounds to Ivolsky.”
Drummond marvels at the large payments recorded in Peterson's ledger, such as two thousand pounds to Ivolsky.
Highlights the scale of Peterson's financial operations.
“He's got the money—and we know where he got it from; he's got the organisation—all either red-hot revolutionaries, or intellectual windstorms, or calculating knaves.”
Green explains that Peterson controls both the funds and a diverse group of revolutionaries, intellectuals, and schemers.
Summarizes Peterson's manipulative control over the revolutionary network.
“The workingman—the decent fellow—”
Drummond laments that ordinary workingmen are being misled by revolutionary leaders.
Reflects the theme of class and social order.
“Their proper leaders have sure failed them, so they're running after that bunch of cross-eyed skaters.”
Green says the working class has been abandoned by their natural leaders and now follows incompetent radicals.
Critique of societal leadership and class dynamics.
“It would be an outrage to let the scoundrel go.”
Potts insists that Peterson must not be allowed to escape justice.
Shows Potts' desire for retribution after his ordeal.
