# XXIII: An Error in Taste explained — The Crime at Black Dudley

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

## What happens

The hunt arrives at Black Dudley, creating chaos. Von Faber shoots a hound and flees toward the garage. Guffy Randall and other horsemen pursue, causing the car to crash. The prisoners are freed, and they discover the house is soaked in paraffin, set for destruction. Campion suspects Dawlish is acting alone.

## Themes in this chapter

### Courage and Resourcefulness

Guffy Randall and the hunt members show bravery in confronting Von Faber, while Campion and Abbershaw strategize to escape.

### Class and Social Hierarchy

The hunt's arrival represents the local gentry and their authority, contrasting with the criminal underworld of Dawlish and Von Faber.

### Organized Crime and Corruption

Von Faber and Dawlish's plan to burn the house and escape highlights their criminal organization and ruthless methods.

## Character check-ins

### Dr. George Abbershaw

Helps carry Prenderby, observes the hunt's arrival, and discusses Dawlish's plan with Campion.

### Albert Campion

Recognizes Guffy Randall, warns about the horses, and deduces that Dawlish may be acting alone.

### Martin Watt

Shouts from the window to attract the hunt's attention, comments on the militant woman, and helps coordinate rescue.

### Guffy Randall

Leads the horsemen, crashes the car with his crop, and frees the prisoners from the locked room.

### Eberhard von Faber

Shoots a hound, argues with the hunt, flees in the Lanchester, and is involved in the car crash.

### Meggie Oliphant

Nervously asks about the rescue, present in the locked room with the others.

## Key lines

> He decides to make one last search for his precious package, which by now he realizes is pretty hopelessly gone. Then he means to make the place ready for his firework display, set light to it and bunk for home and mother

Dawlish plans a final search for the package, then intends to set the house on fire and flee.

_Campion explains Dawlish's plan to Abbershaw._

> The scene was an extraordinary one. Spread out in front of the gloomy, forbidding old house was all the colour and pageantry of the Monewdon Hunt.

The hunt's arrival creates a vivid and chaotic scene outside the dark house.

_Description of the hunt's appearance._

> He'll charge 'em

Von Faber will drive straight into the horses.

_Campion's fearful prediction as the car approaches the horsemen._

> The most militant old dear I've ever seen in all my life

An elderly woman rider is extremely aggressive.

_Martin Watt comments on a formidable hunt member._

> What a heaven-sent glorious miracle. Looks as if our Guardian Angel had a sense of humour.

The arrival of the hunt is a fortunate and ironic rescue.

_Martin Watt expresses relief at the hunt's intervention._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xxiii-an-error-in-taste
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters