# XV explained — The Lazy Detective

> Chapter companion for The Lazy Detective by George Dilnot.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lazy_detective_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters