# The Man Who Was No. 16 explained — Partners in Crime

> Chapter companion for Partners in Crime by Agatha Christie.

## What happens

Tommy and Tuppence, having successfully completed several cases, are summoned by Mr. Carter, who warns them of a special agent from Moscow, known as No. 16, who may visit their detective agency. They return to the office, where they discover a calendar has been tampered with, and a mysterious nurse has been in their office. Soon, a client calling himself Prince Vladiroffsky arrives, and after exchanging coded passwords, he reveals himself as the Russian agent. He takes Tuppence (posing as Miss Robinson) to lunch at the Blitz hotel, while Tommy and Mr. Carter follow with secret service surveillance, hoping to capture the agent and uncover his headquarters.

## Themes in this chapter

### Espionage and National Security

The chapter focuses on the pursuit of a Russian spy, with coded passwords, surveillance, and counter-intelligence tactics.

### Identity and Disguise

Tommy impersonates the detective Mr. Blunt, Tuppence poses as Miss Robinson, and the Russian agent uses the alias Prince Vladiroffsky.

### Humor and Irony

Tommy and Tuppence's banter about their detective successes and their playful impersonation of famous detectives adds a lighthearted tone.

## Character check-ins

### Tommy Beresford

Plays the role of the great detective Mr. Blunt, exchanges passwords with the Russian agent, and coordinates with Mr. Carter.

### Tuppence Beresford

Accompanies the Russian agent as 'Miss Robinson' to the Blitz hotel, under surveillance.

### Mr. Carter

Briefs Tommy and Tuppence on the special agent, installs a dictaphone, and orchestrates surveillance at the Blitz.

### Albert

On duty at the office, accidentally tears off too many calendar leaves, and admits a mysterious nurse.

### Theodore Blunt

The alias used by Tommy; the Russian agent addresses him as Mr. Blunt.

## Key lines

> We’ve solved four baffling murder mysteries, rounded up a gang of counterfeiters, ditto gang of smugglers⁠—

We have cracked four murder cases, caught counterfeiters and smugglers.

_Tuppence lists their achievements, showing their success as detectives._

> All done by the little grey cells.

It's all thanks to our intelligence.

_Tuppence attributes their success to cleverness, echoing Poirot's catchphrase._

> The choice narrows,” murmured Tommy. “On whom shall I model myself today?”

Tommy wonders which famous detective to imitate today.

_Tommy's playful habit of modeling himself on fictional detectives._

> I’ve a feeling,” said Tuppence, “that this particular adventure will be called the ‘Triumph of Hastings.’ ”

Tuppence predicts that this case will be remembered as the triumph of the sidekick.

_A humorous reference to Hastings, Poirot's companion, implying Tommy will be the hero._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters/xvii-the-man-who-was-no-16
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/partners_in_crime_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/partners_in_crime_se/chapters