The Lazy Detective · Chapter
V explained
Detective Inspector Labar visits Larry Hughes at his Hampstead home to investigate the Streetly House jewel robbery.
What happens
Detective Inspector Labar visits Larry Hughes at his Hampstead home to investigate the Streetly House jewel robbery. During the interview, Labar reveals he has a photograph of Penelope Noelson taken from Larry's mantelpiece, exposing Larry's initial denial of knowing her. Larry admits knowing Penelope but insists she is innocent. Labar threatens to detain Penelope, causing Larry to lose his composure. Larry then pulls an automatic on Labar, retrieves and destroys the photograph, and orders Labar to leave. After Labar's departure, Larry decides to disregard the danger and take immediate action.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Identity
Larry Hughes maintains a facade of a gentleman of means while Labar knows he is a crook; the photograph reveals Larry's lie about knowing Penelope.
Crime and Justice
Labar's investigation into the jewel robbery and his threat to detain Penelope highlight the tension between law enforcement and criminal activity.
Obsession and Ambition
Labar's determination to build a case against Larry, even without solid proof, and Larry's obsessive protection of Penelope drive the confrontation.
Characters to notice
- Larry Hughes
Confronted by Labar at his home; initially denies knowing Penelope Noelson but is caught by the photograph; later threatens Labar with a gun and destroys the photo.
- Harry Labar
Visits Larry Hughes to investigate the Streetly House robbery; steals a photograph of Penelope Noelson from the mantelpiece; reveals he has Penelope under observation and plans to detain her.
- Penelope Noelson
Mentioned as the subject of the photograph; Labar claims she tried to bribe him, changed a forged cheque, and attempted to sandbag him; Larry insists she is innocent.
- Tom
Larry's valet; informed by Larry about the car and the change of plans.
Key passages
“I’ve never heard of the lady”
Larry claims he does not know Penelope Noelson.
Larry's initial lie is immediately contradicted by the photograph Labar has taken.
“Don’t waste your time standing. It was an oversight to leave the photograph there, if you meant to deny that you knew this lady.”
Labar points out that Larry's denial is undermined by the photograph left on the mantelpiece.
Labar uses the photograph as evidence of Larry's deception.
“I’ve had Penelope Noelson under observation for the last eighteen hours, and today, she’ll be placed under detention. And I rather fancy she’ll talk.”
Labar reveals that Penelope is being watched and will be arrested, hoping she will provide information.
This threat provokes Larry's angry reaction and his subsequent actions.
“That girl has no more concern with the robbery than the man in the moon. She’s white.”
Larry insists Penelope is completely innocent of the crime.
Larry's defense of Penelope shows his protective feelings and his belief in her integrity.
“Stand very still if you please. The blue barrel of an automatic stared at Labar, and Hughes’ finger was tensed on the trigger.”
Larry draws a gun and threatens Labar to force him to surrender the photograph.
Larry escalates the confrontation by using a weapon to regain control.