The Lone Wolf · Chapter
XVII: The Forlorn Hope explained
Lanyard breaks into the home of Monsieur Ducroy, the Minister of War, to negotiate a deal: he will hand over stolen military plans in exchange for a place on a nonstop flight to London for himself and Lucia.
What happens
Lanyard breaks into the home of Monsieur Ducroy, the Minister of War, to negotiate a deal: he will hand over stolen military plans in exchange for a place on a nonstop flight to London for himself and Lucia. Ducroy initially resists but capitulates when Lanyard threatens to destroy the plans. After securing Ducroy's cooperation, Lanyard goes to the garden to fetch Lucia, only to find she has vanished, leaving him desolate.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Morality
Lanyard uses burglary and blackmail to achieve his ends, yet frames it as a matter of honor and state business.
Loyalty and Betrayal
Lucia's unexplained departure feels like a betrayal to Lanyard, who believed in their partnership.
Fate and Chance
Lanyard's carefully laid plans are undone by Lucia's sudden disappearance, leaving his future uncertain.
Characters to notice
- Michael Lanyard
Breaks into Ducroy's home, negotiates for flight passage, and is devastated by Lucia's disappearance.
- Monsieur Hector Ducroy
Minister of War who is coerced by Lanyard into arranging the flight and later helps search for Lucia.
- Lucia Bannon
Lanyard's companion who waits in the garden but disappears before he can retrieve her.
- Adolph Ekstrom
Mentioned as having followed Lanyard to Paris, motivating Lanyard's urgent need to flee.
- Captain Vauquelin
Pilot of the Parrott biplane scheduled for the nonstop flight to London.
Key passages
“Established behind his splendid mahogany desk in his office at the Ministère de la Guerre, or moving majestically abroad attired in frock coat and glossy topper, or lending the dignity of his presence to some formal ceremony in that beautiful uniform which appertained unto his office, Monsieur Hector Ducroy cut an imposing figure. Abed… it was sadly otherwise.”
Monsieur Ducroy looks impressive in his official roles, but in bed he is a comical, snoring figure.
Contrast between Ducroy's public dignity and private vulnerability.
“I must be one of those passengers; and I have a companion, a young lady, who will take the place of the other.”
Lanyard demands that he and Lucia be the two passengers on the flight.
Lanyard's negotiation for escape.
“But she was no more there: the bench was vacant, the garden deserted, the gateway yawning on the street.”
Lucia had disappeared from the garden where Lanyard left her.
Climactic moment of loss and despair.