# A Midnight Adventure explained — The Secret of Chimneys

> Chapter companion for The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters/xvii-a-midnight-adventure
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_of_chimneys_se/chapters