# The Key Turned explained — The Man from the Clouds

> Chapter companion for The Man from the Clouds by J. Storer Clouston.

## What happens

Thomas Sylvester Hobhouse, after a series of dangerous adventures on Ransay, returns to his room and discovers that the lock on his drawer has been tampered with, revealing his deception about the uniform coat. He falls asleep and wakes to find himself locked in his room. Looking out the window, he sees a naval vessel and soon his cousin, Commander John P. N. Whiteclett, arrives with Jean Rendall. The Commander, having been summoned by Dr. Rendall, takes Hobhouse into custody, and they leave the island together.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Disguise

Hobhouse's false identity is further exposed when the lock on his drawer is picked, revealing the absence of the uniform coat.

### Suspicion and Paranoia

Hobhouse is locked in his room, and the islanders' suspicion leads to his capture.

## Character check-ins

### Thomas Sylvester Hobhouse

Realizes his deception is uncovered, is locked in his room, and is taken into custody by his cousin.

### Jean Rendall

Seen briefly behind Commander Whiteclett, her face eager and excited.

### Commander John P. N. Whiteclett

Hobhouse's cousin, arrives with a patrol and takes Hobhouse into custody.

### Dr. Rendall

Sent the urgent wire that brought Commander Whiteclett to Ransay.

## Key lines

> The lock had been taken off and put in again since I last saw it.

The lock on the drawer had been removed and replaced, indicating that someone had searched it.

_Hobhouse realizes his secret is out._

> I was locked in.

The door to his room had been locked from the outside.

_Hobhouse is now a prisoner._

> Good Lord, you of all people, Roger!

My cousin is astonished to find that the suspicious stranger is me.

_The Commander recognizes Hobhouse._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_man_from_the_clouds_se/chapters/xii-the-key-turned
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_man_from_the_clouds_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_man_from_the_clouds_se/chapters