# XXVI: Cherchez la Femme explained — The Crime at Black Dudley

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

## What happens

Abbershaw, Prenderby, and Martin Watt stake out a garage called The Ritz in Lea Bridge Road, where Prenderby has spotted Colonel Coombe's disguised Rolls-Royce. They plan to follow the car's owners, hoping to catch Whitby and his associates. Mr. Haywhistle, the garage owner, reluctantly cooperates after learning the car is a stolen Rolls. The trio waits in the yard as Whitby and a burly figure arrive, then pursue them toward Wanstead.

## Themes in this chapter

### Courage and Resourcefulness

Abbershaw, Prenderby, and Martin take initiative to stake out the garage and pursue the suspects, showing determination despite legal and physical risks.

### Deception and Disguise

The Rolls-Royce is disguised as an old brougham, and the characters use stealth and misdirection to track the criminals.

## Character check-ins

### Dr. George Abbershaw

Reluctantly joins the stakeout, uneasy about the lawless methods and Martin's gun, but determined to protect Meggie.

### Michael Prenderby

Discovered the disguised Rolls at The Ritz garage and leads the group there, acting as the driver during the pursuit.

### Martin Watt

Eager for action, carries a gun, and advocates using force; his enthusiasm drives the plan to follow Whitby.

### Meggie Oliphant

Left behind at Abbershaw's insistence for her safety, though she accepts his decision without argument.

### Dr. White Whitby

Spotted entering the garage with nervous steps, confirming he is involved with the disguised car.

### Mr. Haywhistle

Garage owner who initially resists but cooperates after learning the car is a stolen Rolls; provides key information about Whitby's plans.

## Key lines

> He realized that they were on a lawless errand since they were acting entirely without proof, and any casualties that might occur would be difficult to explain afterwards even to so obliging a person as Inspector Deadwood.

Abbershaw understood that their mission was illegal because they had no evidence, and any injuries would be hard to justify even to a friendly inspector.

_Highlights Abbershaw's moral qualms about vigilante justice._

> Martin pulled up the bonnet and pointed to the engine. 'Ever seen anything like that before?' he said. Mr. Haywhistle looked at the machinery casually and without interest at first. But gradually his expression changed and he dropped upon his knees and peered underneath the car to get a glimpse of the chassis. A moment or two later he lifted a red face towards them which wore an expression almost comic in its surprise. 'Gawd lumme!' he said. 'A bloomin' Rolls.'

Martin showed Haywhistle the engine, and after inspecting the chassis, the garage owner was astonished to discover it was actually a Rolls-Royce.

_Reveals the car's disguise and Haywhistle's shift from suspicion to cooperation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xxvi-cherchez-la-femme
- 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