# Doctor Syn Has a "Call" explained — Doctor Syn

> Chapter companion for Doctor Syn by Russell Thorndike.

## What happens

Doctor Syn reveals to Sir Antony Cobtree his intention to leave Dymchurch, ostensibly as a missionary. The squire is furious, suspecting his son Denis's interest in Imogene is the cause. Syn defends Imogene, revealing her hidden wealth and Incan princess lineage, and confesses his true purpose: to recover the treasure of the pirate Clegg, Imogene's father, which he has kept secret as her guardian.

## Themes in this chapter

### Duality and Deception

Doctor Syn's missionary 'call' is a deception to hide his true mission of recovering Clegg's treasure, embodying the theme of hidden identities and false fronts.

### Social Class and Marriage

The squire's objection to Denis marrying Imogene due to her lowly status as a bargirl contrasts with the revelation of her noble Incan lineage and wealth, highlighting class tensions.

### Memory and Legacy

Clegg's secret treasure and the memory of his pirate legacy are central to the plot, as Doctor Syn acts as the keeper of that legacy for Imogene's future.

## Character check-ins

### Doctor Syn

Reveals his plan to leave Dymchurch under the guise of a missionary call, but confesses his true aim is to recover Clegg's treasure for Imogene.

### Sir Antony Cobtree

Angrily confronts Doctor Syn about his departure, blaming his son Denis's interest in Imogene, and later learns of Imogene's hidden wealth and lineage.

### Imogene

Discussed as the object of Denis's affection; revealed to be the daughter of Clegg, an Incan princess, and heiress to a hidden fortune.

### Denis Cobtree

Mentioned as the squire's son who wishes to marry Imogene, causing conflict with his father.

### Clegg

Imogene's father, a hanged pirate who entrusted Doctor Syn with the secret of his buried treasure.

## Key lines

> Do you mean to say that you’re going to leave Dymchurch?

Sir Antony Cobtree expresses shock and anger at Doctor Syn's announcement of his departure.

_Opens the chapter with the squire's disbelief._

> I am afraid that for once in my life I am most dreadfully in earnest.

Doctor Syn insists he is serious about leaving, despite the squire's protests.

_Syn's firm resolve contrasts with his later deception._

> I should candidly confess that my son was a lucky dog if he succeeded in getting her

Doctor Syn tells the squire that Denis would be fortunate to marry Imogene.

_Syn defends Imogene's worth against the squire's objections._

> Clegg was the only man who knew of the hiding-place, and at his death he imparted the secret to me

Doctor Syn reveals that the pirate Clegg entrusted him with the location of a hidden treasure.

_Key revelation of Syn's true motive for leaving._

> Merely a cloak to hide my real designs.

Doctor Syn admits his missionary call is a cover for his treasure-hunting mission.

_Confirms the theme of deception._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxx-doctor-syn-has-a-call
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/doctor_syn_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters