The Secret of Chimneys · Chapter
Secret History explained
The characters gather to hear the full story behind the Herzoslovakian jewel and the murder at Chimneys.
What happens
The characters gather to hear the full story behind the Herzoslovakian jewel and the murder at Chimneys. Superintendent Battle and M. Lemoine reveal the secret history involving Queen Varaga, the thief King Victor, and the hidden jewel, which they suspect is still somewhere in the room.
Themes in this chapter
Secrecy and Revelation
The chapter is built around the revelation of the long-hidden history of the jewel, Queen Varaga, and King Victor.
Political Intrigue and Diplomacy
The story involves diplomatic cover-ups, royal visits, and the manipulation of international politics.
Identity and Disguise
King Victor's mastery of disguise and impersonation, including posing as Prince Nicholas, is central to the plot.
Characters to notice
- Virginia Revel
Insists on being told the secret history and reveals her past connection to Herzoslovakia.
- Superintendent Battle
Leads the discussion and recounts the hushed-up affair of the missing jewel.
- M. Lemoine
Reveals his true identity as a French detective and tells the story of King Victor and Queen Varaga.
- Anthony Cade
Listens intently and expresses amazement at the revelations, particularly about King Victor's impersonation.
- Bill Eversleigh
Assists with refreshments and expresses indignation at the blackmail letters.
- George Lomax
Mentioned as having insisted on secrecy, though not present in the scene.
Key passages
“I think the time has come to enlighten us a little.”
Virginia insists that the group should be told the full story.
Virginia pushes for the revelation of the secret history.
“The start of this business was just over seven years ago.”
Battle begins the tale by setting the events seven years in the past.
Battle introduces the timeline of the jewel's disappearance.
“Our friend, King Victor, seizes on that—difficult to prove a death of that kind. He resurrects Prince Nicholas, and plays him to such purpose that he gets away with a tremendous haul of American dollars.”
King Victor impersonated the supposedly dead Prince Nicholas to swindle American investors.
Lemoine explains how King Victor exploited the rumor of Prince Nicholas's death.