The Secret of Chimneys · Chapter
A Midnight Adventure explained
After the inquest, Anthony Cade departs, leaving Bill Eversleigh exhausted from George Lomax's demands.
What happens
After the inquest, Anthony Cade departs, leaving Bill Eversleigh exhausted from George Lomax's demands. That night, Virginia wakes Bill to investigate a light in the Council Chamber. They discover a burglar examining the Holbein picture, but the lights fail, and a struggle ensues. The intruder escapes through a window, and Virginia gives chase, running into Hiram Fish. The household gathers, finding the room ransacked and the light bulbs removed.
Themes in this chapter
Secrecy and Revelation
The inquest suppresses details, and the midnight burglary hints at hidden secrets within Chimneys.
Adventure and Risk-Taking
Virginia and Bill's daring investigation of the Council Chamber and the ensuing struggle.
Class and Social Hierarchy
Lord Caterham delegates to Tredwell, and the servants are present but peripheral, reflecting social roles.
Characters to notice
- Virginia Revel
Wakes Bill to investigate a light in the Council Chamber, leads the chase after the burglar.
- Bill Eversleigh
Exhausted from Lomax's demands, woken by Virginia, struggles with the intruder in the dark.
- Mr. Hiram Fish
Encountered by Virginia outside after the burglar's escape; comments on burglars' habits.
- Bundle
Appears at the Council Chamber door, comments on the excitement of the burglary.
- Lord Caterham
Arrives with Bundle, observes the damage, delegates cleanup to Tredwell.
- Tredwell
Restores illumination by replacing the removed light bulbs.
- George Lomax
Mentioned as having been trying and demanding of Bill during the day.
Key passages
“The inquest took place on the following morning. It was extraordinarily unlike the inquests as pictured in sensational fiction. It satisfied even George Lomax in its rigid suppression of all interesting details.”
The inquest the next morning was deliberately dull and withheld all exciting information, which pleased George Lomax.
Highlights the contrast between real inquests and fictional portrayals, and Lomax's desire for secrecy.
“Bill felt Virginia close beside him. Together they moved noiselessly into the room. At the farther end of the room, the torch was playing upon the Holbein picture.”
Bill and Virginia crept silently into the Council Chamber, where a torchlight was shining on the Holbein painting.
Sets the scene for the burglary and the focus on the painting.
“The bulbs had simply been removed and laid in a row against the wall.”
The light bulbs had been taken out and placed neatly along the wall.
Explains why the lights failed, indicating premeditation by the intruder.