The Third Round · Chapter
VII: In Which Drummond Takes a Telephone Call and Regrets It explained
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.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Disguise
Drummond's suspicion that Professor Scheidstrun is actually the Comte de Guy in disguise, and the subsequent revelation that the man he met was a stranger, highlights the theme of mistaken identity and deception.
Crime and Consequence
The investigation into Professor Goodman's death and the syndicate's involvement in suppressing his discovery point to the criminal activities and their potential consequences.
The Price of Secrets
The threatening letter offering Professor Goodman a large sum to suppress his discovery, and the subsequent explosion, illustrate the dangers and costs associated with keeping secrets.
Characters to notice
- Hugh Drummond
Breaks out of a locked room, confronts Sir Raymond Blantyre about Professor Goodman's death, and reveals his suspicions about the diamond process and the Comte de Guy.
- Sir Raymond Blantyre
Meets with Drummond, denies knowledge of a threatening letter, claims the diamond process is a fake, and agrees to visit Professor Scheidstrun.
- Algy Longworth
Accompanies Drummond to the syndicate office and is present during the interview with Sir Raymond.
- Toby Sinclair
Works at the Metropolitan Diamond Syndicate, initially tries to prevent Drummond from seeing Sir Raymond but eventually delivers the message.
- Professor Goodman
His death is the subject of the investigation; Drummond reveals he lunched with him and that he received a threatening letter.
- Mr. Edward Blackton
Discussed as the possible mastermind behind the events; Drummond suspects he may be the Comte de Guy, but proves the man he met was not him.
Key passages
“The combination of shrewd insight and consummate nerve which deliberately banked on that previous acquaintance and turned it to gain was Peterson all over—or rather Blackton, to give him his present name.”
The clever and bold move of using a past acquaintance for profit was typical of Peterson, now known as Blackton.
Drummond reflects on the criminal's tactics.
“And since in ordinary respectable houses the bursting open of a door is not greeted with absolute silence, Drummond’s hand went automatically to his hip-pocket.”
Because breaking down a door in a normal house would cause a commotion, Drummond instinctively reached for his gun.
Drummond's reaction to the silence after breaking down the door.
“It’s either nothing at all, or else your boss is one of the most blackguardly villains alive in London today.”
Either there's no issue, or your boss is one of the worst criminals in London.
Drummond's blunt assessment of Sir Raymond Blantyre to Toby Sinclair.
