# VI: Mr. Campion Brings the House Down explained — The Crime at Black Dudley

> Chapter companion for The Crime at Black Dudley by Margery Allingham.

## What happens

In the early morning, Dr. Abbershaw is awakened by a violent commotion from the floor above. Investigating, he finds the drunken butler attacking Mr. Campion in a gallery. Chris Kennedy joins the fray and subdues the butler. Campion claims he was merely leaving his room for an early walk when attacked. Abbershaw notices Campion is fully dressed and suspiciously awake at 4 AM. Later, Abbershaw asks Meggie to arrange a meeting with Anne Edgeware in the garden to question her about Campion's arrival.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Disguise

Campion's implausible explanation for being fully dressed at 4 AM and his feigned idiocy suggest hidden motives and deception.

### Isolation and Entrapment

The violent incident in the locked house and Abbershaw's growing suspicion reflect the trapped, claustrophobic atmosphere.

## Character check-ins

### Dr. George Abbershaw

Awakened by the fight, investigates, picks up an object unnoticed, and later arranges to meet Anne Edgeware in the garden.

### Albert Campion

Found grappling with the drunken butler; fully dressed at 4 AM, claims he was going for an early walk but his explanation is suspicious.

### Chris Kennedy

Joins the fight with enthusiasm, subdues the butler, and identifies that the man is drunk.

### Wyatt Petrie

Arrives after the fight, apologizes to Campion, and promises to discharge the butler.

### Meggie Oliphant

Appears in the corridor in her dressing-gown; Abbershaw asks her to arrange a meeting with Anne Edgeware.

### Anne Edgeware

Mentioned as the person who brought Campion to Black Dudley; Abbershaw wants to question her.

## Key lines

> The fellow set on me. Picked me up and started doing exercises with me as if I were a dumbbell.

The butler attacked me, lifting me and tossing me around like a piece of gym equipment.

_Campion's characteristic understatement of the violent assault._

> I’m one of those birds who can never sleep in a strange bed. And then, you know, I’m so afraid of ghosts.

I have trouble sleeping in unfamiliar places, and I'm also scared of ghosts.

_Campion's flimsy excuse for being fully dressed at 4 AM, hinting at his true purpose._

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