# The Night Chase and the Mudlark explained — The Grand Babylon Hotel

> Chapter companion for The Grand Babylon Hotel by Arnold Bennett.

## What happens

Theodore Racksole and Customs officer George Hazell pursue Jules along the Thames in a foggy night chase. Jules escapes from a launch into a dinghy, then hides on a barge. After a tense standoff, a mudlark (a barge boy) shoves Jules into the water, where he is captured and taken to the Grand Babylon Hotel.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mystery and Intrigue

The foggy night chase, hidden identities, and the dramatic capture of Jules heighten the suspense and mystery.

### Crime and Justice

Racksole's pursuit of Jules represents a personal quest for justice, culminating in a capture that bypasses official legal channels.

## Character check-ins

### Theodore Racksole

Leads the pursuit of Jules, orchestrates the capture, and arranges for Jules to be lodged at his hotel.

### George Hazell

Customs officer who assists Racksole, uses his official authority to board the launch, and steers the boat during the chase.

### Jules

The fugitive, who escapes by dinghy and hides on a barge, brandishing a dagger before being pushed into the water by a mudlark and captured.

### Miss Spencer

Mentioned as possibly being the woman aboard the launch that Hazell searches.

## Key lines

> I'll board her to start with. I'll make out that I suspect they've got dutiable goods on board, and that will give me a chance to have a good look at her.

Hazell plans to pretend he is inspecting for customs violations to search the launch.

_Hazell uses his official role as a pretext to investigate the vessel._

> It's Jules, I'll swear. After him, men. Ten pounds apiece if we overtake him!

Racksole identifies Jules and offers a reward to the boatmen for catching him.

_Racksole's determination and wealth drive the chase._

> What'r' you doing of aboard my barge? Off you goes!

The mudlark demands Jules leave the barge and then pushes him into the water.

_The unexpected intervention of the barge boy leads to Jules's capture._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/chapters/xxvi-the-night-chase-and-the-mudlark
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/chapters