# XXVII: A Journey by Night explained — The Crime at Black Dudley

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

## What happens

Abbershaw, Prenderby, and Martin pursue the disguised Rolls-Royce through the night, navigating traffic and then open roads. The chase becomes dangerous when a shot is fired at them, but they persist, following the car through Chelmsford and into narrow lanes until dawn. The Rolls stops on desolate saltings near the sea, and after an exchange of gunfire, Whitby signals surrender with a white handkerchief.

## Themes in this chapter

### Courage and Resourcefulness

The trio persists in the chase despite danger, including a bullet fired at them, and adapts to the difficult terrain and darkness.

### Isolation and Entrapment

The pursuit leads to desolate saltings far from civilization, creating a sense of isolation and impending confrontation.

## Character check-ins

### Michael Prenderby

Drives the Riley in the chase, carefully keeping distance after a bullet is fired at them, and navigates the difficult roads.

### Martin Watt

Exultant and convinced his theory is correct; he urges Prenderby to pursue aggressively and fires back at the Rolls.

### Dr. George Abbershaw

Doubtful about the legality and wisdom of the chase, but agrees to follow; he suspects the Rolls may have spotted them and suggests they run the car to earth.

### Dr. White Whitby

Occupant of the Rolls; fires a shot at the pursuers and later signals surrender with a white handkerchief.

## Key lines

> For the first few miles, while they were still in the traffic, Prenderby contented himself with keeping the disguised Rolls in sight.

Prenderby stayed behind the Rolls in London traffic to avoid being noticed.

_Establishes the cautious start of the chase._

> The little rear window opened suddenly and a bullet hit the road directly in front of them.

A shot from the Rolls nearly hit their tire, forcing Prenderby to swerve.

_Escalates the danger of the pursuit._

> Whitby thrust his hand into his coat pocket and pulled out a large white handkerchief which he shook at them solemnly, waving it up and down.

Whitby waved a white handkerchief as a sign of surrender.

_Ends the chase with a truce signal._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xxvii-a-journey-by-night
- 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