# Case II: The Sleeping Companion explained — Call Mr. Fortune > Chapter companion for Call Mr. Fortune by H. C. Bailey. ## What happens Dr. Reginald Fortune attends to his patient Birdie Bolton, a music hall performer who complains of troubling dreams. The next morning, Birdie is found murdered, and her companion May Weston is arrested. Reggie investigates the scene, encounters various characters including the solicitor Donald Gordon, and begins to uncover inconsistencies in the case. ## Themes in this chapter ### The Amateur Detective Dr. Fortune, though a medical doctor, takes on the role of an amateur sleuth, examining the crime scene and questioning witnesses despite the official police investigation. ### Appearance vs. Reality Birdie Bolton's stage persona contrasts sharply with her daytime appearance as a 'brisk British spinster,' and the seemingly straightforward murder case is revealed to be more complex. ### Crime and Morality The murder of Birdie Bolton raises questions about guilt, innocence, and the moral implications of the relationships among the suspects. ## Character check-ins ### Mr. Reginald Fortune The amateur detective and doctor who examines Birdie Bolton and investigates her murder. ### Birdie Bolton The eccentric music hall performer and patient of Dr. Fortune, found murdered in her boudoir. ### May Weston Birdie Bolton's companion, arrested for the murder, found disheveled and distressed. ### Donald Gordon The solicitor from Moss and Gordon, Birdie Bolton's legal representative, who arrives at the scene. ### Flora Birdie Bolton's lady's maid, who claims to have slept soundly and heard nothing. ### Samuel Baker Dr. Fortune's chauffeur and factotum, who assists him by fetching the car and camera. ## Key lines > Birdie screamed like a seagull and leapt on to the stage. The audience rumbled the usual applause, and Dr. Reginald Fortune put up his opera-glasses. Birdie Bolton made a dramatic entrance on stage, and Dr. Fortune observed her performance through his opera glasses. _Introduces Birdie's theatrical style and Reggie's role as a spectator._ > She was no longer young, and had never been pretty. A helmet of black hair, a gaunt face which never smiled, a body as lean as a boy’s, which sometimes slouched and sometimes jerked⁠—such were her charms. Birdie was not conventionally attractive, with a lean figure and a serious expression, yet she had a unique appeal. _Describes Birdie's unconventional appearance and stage presence._ > She began to sing in a voice wildly unfit for the strange creature she looked⁠—a small, sweet voice⁠—and what she sang was a simple ditty about her true love forsaking her. Her singing voice was surprisingly soft and sweet, contrasting with her wild appearance, and she sang a simple song about lost love. _Highlights the contrast between Birdie's appearance and her voice._ > It was not a pretty dance, but it had meaning. Her dance was not aesthetically pleasing but conveyed a deeper significance. _Suggests that Birdie's performance was expressive and meaningful._ > She’s a bit of a wonder, you know,” he said to the naval lieutenant who was his companion. “It’s a wild bird,” the lieutenant agreed. Reggie remarked to his friend that Birdie was remarkable, and the lieutenant concurred, calling her a wild bird. _Shows Reggie's appreciation for Birdie's unique talent._ > By daylight Miss Bolton dressed, and even overdressed, the part of a brisk British spinster. She was very tailor-made and severely tweedy, and thus looked leaner than ever. But her eyes retained a gleam of devilment. In daytime, Birdie dressed as a proper British spinster, but her eyes still showed a mischievous spark. _Contrasts her stage persona with her everyday appearance._ > “Dreams,” said Miss Bolton. “Why do I have dreams? I never dreamed in my life till now.” Birdie complained to Reggie about having unusual dreams, which she had never experienced before. _Introduces the motif of dreams as a possible clue to her state of mind._ > “You’re a bright boy, doc. Be good!” She shook hands and gripped like a man. The big emerald she always wore ground into his fingers. “Birdie, the strong girl. Bye-bye,” she laughed. Birdie said goodbye to Reggie with a firm handshake, her emerald ring pressing into his hand, and laughed as she left. _Shows Birdie's forceful personality and her signature emerald ring._ > “One of my patients murdered. No, not by me. Quite unusual case. Yes, it is the Birdie Bolton case.” Reggie called Superintendent Bell to report that his patient had been murdered, noting the unusual nature of the case. _Reggie's dry humor as he informs the police._ > “How she loved ’em, poor soul,” Reggie thought, and began to feel sentimental. Reggie reflected on Birdie's love for her roses, feeling a moment of sentimentality. _Reveals Reggie's emotional response to Birdie's death._ > “I think you are Mr. Ford.” Reggie came close to him. “I am Dr. Fortune. Miss Bolton was a patient of mine. I hardly expected to see you so soon.” “Miss Weston sent for me, sir.” Mr. Ford recoiled, for Reggie’s face was very close to his. “Did she, though!” Reggie murmured. “Did she really?” Reggie confronted Mr. Ford, who claimed May Weston had sent for him, but Reggie was skeptical. _Reggie's suspicion of Ford's story._ > “Well, let’s see the flowers,” Reggie said, and walked him into the garden and began to tell him all that he knew. Reggie led Donald Gordon into the garden to discuss the case privately. _Reggie uses the garden as a discreet setting for conversation._ > “So he’s pinched Miss Weston, has he?” the little Jew lisped. “He’s a hustler.” Donald Gordon commented that the inspector had arrested Miss Weston, calling him a hustler. _Gordon's opinion of the police investigation._ > “Yes. He’s a dark horse, ain’t he? I only met him once, doctor. You could see poor old Birdie was sweet on him.” Gordon described Ford as a mysterious figure, noting that Birdie was infatuated with him. _Suggests Ford's involvement and Birdie's feelings._ > “Oh, so Miss Weston was telling the truth about that.” “Why, didn’t you believe her, doctor?” “D’you know, I wonder if I believe anything I’ve heard in this house.” Reggie expressed doubt about the truthfulness of everyone in the house. _Reggie's growing suspicion of all the witnesses._ > “A general practitioner is not much use to her now. Rather beyond you, isn’t it?” “Well, I’ve not made up my mind,” Reggie said. The divisional surgeon dismissed Reggie's expertise, but Reggie remained confident in his own abilities. _Conflict between Reggie and the official medical examiner._ > “I am the divisional surgeon, sir,” said the little man loudly. “I was wondering who you were,” Reggie murmured. The divisional surgeon announced his title, and Reggie responded with a sarcastic remark. _Reggie's subtle defiance of authority._ > “Clear out, please.” The inspector followed him. “Zeal, all zeal,” Reggie murmured, and went. The inspector ordered Reggie to leave, and Reggie muttered about excessive zeal as he departed. _Reggie's commentary on the inspector's overzealousness._ > “I was so fond of her,” Flora sighed. “Well, I liked her. I suppose you heard nothing last night?” “Ah, no. She have sent me to bed. And I sleep so sound.” Flora expressed fondness for Birdie but claimed to have heard nothing because she was sent to bed early and slept deeply. _Flora's alibi and her relationship with Birdie._ > “Haven’t you heard?” she cried. “I’ve heard and seen,” Reggie said. “I can’t do any more there. But perhaps I can here.” May Weston asked if Reggie had heard the news, and he replied that he had seen the body and now wanted to help her. _Reggie's shift from investigating the crime to attending to May._ > “Sleep rather sound, don’t you?” “Oh!” She shuddered. “Why do you look at me like that?” Reggie bent suddenly closer, and as suddenly sat up again. Then he laughed. “Like what, my dear?” Reggie commented on May's deep sleep, and she reacted nervously to his intense gaze, but he dismissed it with a laugh. _Reggie's probing questions and May's anxious response._ > “You dined with Miss Bolton last night alone? After dinner you went to her boudoir? That would be about nine?” “Yes, yes. Mr. Ford came just after the coffee.” Reggie asked May about the events of the previous evening, and she confirmed that Mr. Ford arrived after coffee. _Establishes the timeline of the evening._ > “We⁠—he has been here a good deal,” she stammered. “Oh, Dr. Fortune, it isn’t his fault.” “Young or old, rich or poor⁠—what is he?” “Of course he’s young. I suppose he’s rich. His father makes engines or something in Leeds,” May stammered that Ford had visited often and defended him, describing him as young and wealthy from his father's engine business in Leeds. _May's defensiveness and information about Ford's background._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/call_mr_fortune_se/chapters/case-ii-the-sleeping-companion - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/call_mr_fortune_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/call_mr_fortune_se/chapters