The Lazy Detective · Chapter
XV explained
Labar and Dr.
What happens
Labar and Dr. Ware pursue Larry Hughes's Rolls Royce in a high-speed chase through country lanes, but lose the trail when the car turns off unexpectedly. Labar then finds himself at a house where he is pursued by Billy Bungey and two other men. He escapes into a wood, wounds one pursuer with a lucky shot, and hides in a tree. After the gang gives up the search, Labar enlists Dr. Ware's help to follow the Rolls Royce from a distance, planning to track the gang to their hideout.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Justice
Labar's pursuit of Larry Hughes and his gang highlights the cat-and-mouse game between police and criminals.
Obsession and Ambition
Labar's relentless determination to capture Larry despite being wounded and outnumbered.
Characters to notice
- Harry Labar
Leads the chase and later escapes pursuit by Billy Bungey's gang; wounded but determined.
- Larry Hughes
Implied to be directing the gang from the house; Labar believes he is holding Penelope.
- Bill Bungey
Pursues Labar through the shrubbery and wood; recognized by Labar as a notorious race-gang tough.
- Dr. Ware
Local doctor who assists Labar in the chase and is eager for action.
- Penelope Noelson
Labar believes she is being held under coercion by Larry.
Key passages
“Labar sighed for half a dozen of the stalwarts of his staff. With them he would have had the whole lot in a trap.”
Labar wished he had several of his best officers with him, as they could have captured the entire gang.
Shows Labar's frustration at being understaffed.
“Billy Bungey had only escaped by the narrowest margin from a conviction for murder.”
Billy Bungey had narrowly avoided being convicted of murder.
Establishes Bungey's violent criminal background.
“He took the undignified but sensible course of resuming his flight.”
He chose to run away, which was not heroic but was practical.
Highlights Labar's pragmatism over pride.