# Case V: The Hottentot Venus explained — Call Mr. Fortune

> Chapter companion for Call Mr. Fortune by H. C. Bailey.

## What happens

Reginald Fortune is drawn into a peculiar case at a girls' school run by Lomas's sister, Miss Evelyn Lomas, after mysterious disturbances and theft of photographs occur. Fortune discovers a Hottentot Venus figurine left behind, linking the incidents to the Prince of Ragusa, who is secretly courting Hilda Crowland (the Princess of Ragusa). Fortune orchestrates a reunion aboard the Prince's yacht, revealing the Prince's feigned injury and securing the figurine as a memento, much to Lomas's dismay.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Amateur Detective

Fortune applies his observational skills and deductive reasoning to solve the school mystery, identifying the Prince of Ragusa from the figurine.

### Appearance vs. Reality

The Prince feigns a broken arm to conceal his role; the school disturbances appear as ragging but are part of a romantic scheme.

### Family and Betrayal

Hilda Crowland defies her mother to meet her father, and the Princess is initially unaware of the Prince's involvement.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Reginald Fortune

Investigates the school mystery, deduces the Prince of Ragusa's involvement, and retrieves the Hottentot Venus figurine.

### Mr. Lomas

Reluctantly involves Fortune in his sister's school case; accompanies Fortune to the yacht and is left to explain the affair to his sister.

### Hilda Crowland

The Princess of Ragusa's daughter, who orchestrates her own disappearance to meet her father, the Prince.

### The Prince of Ragusa

Secretly courts Hilda Crowland; feigns injury to avoid detection and later expresses gratitude to Fortune.

### The Comte de Spoleto

Assists the Prince and is seen kissing Hilda Crowland aboard the yacht.

## Key lines

> “Did you ever want to marry, Fortune?” he murmured. “Often; but never one at a time.”

Lomas asks Fortune if he ever wanted to marry, and Fortune replies that he has often wanted to, but never to just one person at a time.

_Fortune's flippant response sets the tone for his irreverent approach to romance and investigation._

> “I think what annoyed me most was that anyone should have discovered my plans.”

The Prince of Ragusa expresses irritation that his secret plans were uncovered.

_Reveals the Prince's motive for secrecy and his respect for Fortune's acumen._

> “You have a great deal of acumen, Mr. Fortune,” said the Prince, and the sound of the cable broke off the conversation.

The Prince compliments Fortune's sharp insight, but their talk is interrupted by a cable message.

_Highlights Fortune's deductive skill and the Prince's acknowledgment of it._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/call_mr_fortune_se/chapters/case-v-the-hottentot-venus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/call_mr_fortune_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/call_mr_fortune_se/chapters