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The Third Round · Chapters

Chapters explained

Chapter companions for The Third Round by H. C. McNeile.

  1. Chapter 1

    In Which the Metropolitan Diamond Syndicate Holds Converse with Mr. Edward Blackton

    Sir Raymond Blantyre and Mr. Leibhaus, representing the Metropolitan Diamond Syndicate, visit Mr. Edward Blackton at his hotel in Montreux. They reveal that Professor Goodman has discovered a method to synthesize diamonds, which would ruin the diamond trade. Despite their offer of £250,000 to suppress the discovery, Goodman refuses, planning to present it to the Royal Society. The Syndicate, desperate, hints at Blackton's reputation (via the Comte de Guy) and proposes that he 'remove' Professor Goodman. Blackton, intrigued but noncommittal, asks for time to decide, while his private dossier on the visitors reveals their financial and personal vulnerabilities.

  2. Chapter 2

    II: In Which Professor Goodman Realises That There Are More Things in Life Than Chemistry

    Algy Longworth informs Hugh Drummond that Professor Goodman has discovered a method to manufacture diamonds artificially and has refused a quarter of a million pounds to suppress the discovery. Drummond warns that the Professor's decision could ruin wealthy interests and may put him in danger. Later, Drummond encounters the Professor outside his club, who shows him an anonymous threatening letter. Drummond notices the Professor is being followed and confronts the follower. They proceed to lunch at Drummond's club, where they are joined by Toby Sinclair, who mentions that Sir Raymond Blantyre, head of the diamond syndicate, recently returned from Switzerland smiling. Drummond suspects Blantyre's behavior is suspicious given his supposed impending ruin.

  3. Chapter 3

    III: In Which Strange Things Happen in Professor Goodman’s Laboratory

    The chapter opens with Sir Raymond Blantyre and the Metropolitan Diamond Syndicate meeting behind locked doors, tense over their hiring of Mr. Blackton to suppress Professor Goodman's discovery. Mr. Lewisham, one of the members, is wracked with guilt and nearly backs out, but Blackton manipulates the situation, suggesting Lewisham visit Goodman to retrieve a compromising letter. Blackton, revealed to be a master of disguise, returns to his London pied-à-terre, where his secretary Freyder awaits. Blackton plans to use Lewisham as a pawn, intending to murder him and pass it off as Goodman's death, all while maintaining his artistic satisfaction in the crime.

  4. Chapter 4

    IV: In Which Mr. William Robinson Arrives at His Country Seat

    Mr. Blackton, having secured the second payment from the syndicate, prepares to leave London and begin his work at the house Freyder acquired for him. He is satisfied with the outcome of the 'accident' that killed Professor Goodman, though he remains wary of the loose end concerning Mr. Lewisham. Meanwhile, Captain Drummond and Algy Longworth bring Brenda Goodman to her father's house, where they learn of the explosion from the Inspector. Drummond, suspicious of foul play, deduces that the explosion was too large to have been an accident and decides to investigate on his own, planning to attend the inquest.

  5. Chapter 5

    In Which Mr. William Robinson Loses His Self-Control

    Mr. Robinson reveals his plan to force Professor Goodman to manufacture diamonds, but discovers that Goodman's notes are missing. Goodman admits he gave them to Captain Drummond for safekeeping. Robinson, enraged, struggles to regain composure, then dictates a letter to Drummond instructing him to send the notes to Goodman's lawyers, Tootem, Price & Tootem. He leaves Goodman imprisoned, warning him not to attempt escape.

  6. Chapter 6

    In Which Hugh Drummond Loses His Self-Control

    The day after the inquest, Hugh Drummond is troubled by the death of Professor Goodman and the suppressed letter. He plans to investigate Professor Scheidstrun and Sir Raymond Blantyre. Scheidstrun unexpectedly visits, but Drummond soon realizes the visitor is an impostor—actually Carl Peterson in disguise. A chaotic scene ensues as Drummond attacks the fake professor, only to discover it is the real Scheidstrun wearing a wig. The real Scheidstrun and his wife are later revealed to be pawns of Mr. William Robinson, who orchestrates their attendance at Goodman's funeral and pays them for their cooperation.

  7. Chapter 7

    VII: In Which Drummond Takes a Telephone Call and Regrets It

    Drummond, having been locked in a room while eavesdropping on a conversation between Sir Raymond Blantyre and Professor Scheidstrun, breaks out to find the house empty. He then goes to the Metropolitan Diamond Syndicate office with Algy Longworth, demanding to see Sir Raymond. During the meeting, Drummond reveals that Professor Goodman lunched with him and received a threatening letter, and that he suspects the professor's diamond process is a fake. He also mentions his encounter with a man he initially thought was the Comte de Guy (Carl Peterson), but proved to be a stranger. Sir Raymond, alarmed, agrees to accompany Drummond to see Professor Scheidstrun, who is found at home with his wife, showing no pleasure at their arrival.

  8. Chapter 8

    In Which Drummond Plays a Little Game of Trains

    Drummond, unconscious after being struck, is brought to Mr. Robinson's house in the New Forest. Robinson, revealing his intense personal hatred for Drummond, insists on keeping him alive to savor his revenge. He discusses with Freyder the need to alter their plans and timetable due to Drummond's capture, and reveals his intention to dispose of him by weighting his feet and dropping him overboard. Robinson then goes to check on Professor Goodman, who has been forced to perform an experiment. Later, Drummond appears to have lost his mind, playing with his shoes as if they were trains. Robinson tests him, and despite a moment of suspicion, concludes he is insane. He orders Drummond's wrists to be lashed, which proves difficult due to Drummond's feigned madness and physical strength. After a struggle, they succeed, and Robinson examines his eyes, confirming his belief that Drummond is mad, and has him taken to his room.

  9. Chapter 9

    IX: In Which Professor Goodman Has a Trying Time

    Mr. Robinson reveals to Professor Goodman that he is not Scheidstrun but a man seeking revenge on Carl Peterson. He explains that he staged Goodman's apparent death to thwart Peterson's murder plot and to secure the secret of Goodman's process for himself. After a tense negotiation, Goodman agrees to share his secret in exchange for his freedom, and they begin the experiment.

  10. Chapter 10

    X: In Which Drummond Goes on Board the S.Y. Gadfly

    Drummond, having been knocked unconscious and captured by Peterson (masquerading as Mr. Robinson), feigns unconsciousness to overhear the villain's plans. He learns of a yacht and a man upstairs, and later, while pretending to be insane, he communicates with Professor Goodman, urging him to delay their departure. Goodman, realizing he has been deceived, stalls Robinson by requesting special salts for making colored diamonds, which Robinson agrees to procure, delaying their trip to the yacht. Robinson, determined to exact revenge on Drummond, plans to take both prisoners aboard the S.Y. Gadfly, where he intends to eventually dispose of them.

  11. Chapter 11

    In Which Drummond Leaves the S.Y. Gadfly

    Drummond, bound aboard the S.Y. Gadfly, manages to free himself using a safety-razor blade. He devises a plan to escape as they pass Ted Jerningham's yacht, hoping to enlist Ted's help to rescue Professor Goodman. When the moment comes, he slips overboard and is picked up by Ted's motorboat, with the help of a girl who feigns hysteria to distract the crew. They rescue the Professor from the water, and Drummond reveals his belief that Carl Peterson (Mr. Robinson) will head to Montreux, where Irma is. Drummond resolves to follow and settle the score.

  12. Chapter 12

    XII: In Which He Samples Mr. Blackton’s Napoleon Brandy

    Drummond confronts Blackton (Peterson) at the Palace Hotel in Montreux, having tracked him down after the destruction of the Gadfly. Blackton is initially confident, believing himself safe with the secret of Professor Goodman's process and the news that Robinson was presumed drowned. However, Drummond reveals he knows Blackton's true identity and gives him an ultimatum: fight to the death on a glacier or face the police. Blackton, seeing no way out, reluctantly accepts. He hands over the copy of the professor's notes, which Drummond burns. Sir Raymond Blantyre arrives, and Drummond exposes his role in the conspiracy, threatening him with prosecution. The chapter ends with Drummond and Blackton alone, acknowledging their final confrontation is imminent.

  13. Chapter 13

    In Which Drummond Receives an Addition to His Library

    Four days after the events at the Palace Hotel, Drummond is still brooding over his failure to capture Peterson, repeatedly muttering 'Stung.' Algy tries to cheer him up, noting that his own engagement is back on track. Professor Goodman bursts in with an evening paper reporting the suicide of Sir Raymond Blantyre in Paris, who took veronal rather than face the consequences. Drummond reflects that Blantyre paid while Peterson escaped. Then a letter and parcel arrive from Rome, postmarked by Peterson, containing a taunting note and a children's geography book, 'Our Tiny Tots' Primer of Geography,' which Drummond recognizes as a mocking gesture.