The Lazy Detective · Chapter
XXVI explained
Labar, tied up in an underground chamber with the gang, is given a penknife by Sophie Lengholm.
What happens
Labar, tied up in an underground chamber with the gang, is given a penknife by Sophie Lengholm. He cuts his bonds and, after creating doubt about Larry's loyalty, attacks and disarms a gang member. He forces the gang to surrender and march back to Mope's Bottom, where he is met by Bill Malone and Detective Inspector Moreland.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Justice
Labar, a detective, single-handedly disarms and captures a gang of criminals, asserting justice over lawlessness.
Deception and Identity
Labar uses deception to sow doubt among the gang about Larry's loyalty, turning them against each other.
Characters to notice
- Harry Labar
Labar is tied up in the underground chamber, receives a penknife from Sophie Lengholm, cuts his bonds, attacks a gang member, seizes a weapon, and forces the gang to surrender.
- Sophie Lengholm
Sophie Lengholm defends Larry's character and secretly gives Labar a penknife to cut his bonds.
- Adèle Gertstein
Adèle Gertstein is hysterical and crying, worried about being imprisoned, and is threatened by Tom.
- Tom
Tom returns to the chamber, reports that Larry and Bungey are scouting, and threatens Adèle Gertstein to keep quiet.
- Larry Hughes
Larry is mentioned as being away scouting with Bungey; Labar sows doubt about his loyalty to the gang.
- Bill Bungey
Bill Bungey is mentioned as scouting with Larry; Labar suggests he and Larry have abandoned the gang.
Key passages
“Tom’s right,” said Sophie Lengholm. “Larry has his little ways but he doesn’t snitch and he isn’t a coward.”
Sophie Lengholm defends Larry, saying he may have quirks but is not an informer or a coward.
Sophie shows loyalty to Larry while secretly helping Labar.
“He dropped them at last noiselessly to his side, and marked one of Billy Bungey’s associates as the first object of attack.”
Labar silently freed himself and targeted one of Bungey's men for his first strike.
Labar's decisive action after being freed.
“I’m going to count three,” he said. “If those pistols aren’t on the floor by then I shoot.”
Labar threatens to shoot if the gang does not disarm immediately.
Labar asserts control over the armed gang.