The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club · Chapter
V: —And Finds the Club Suit Blocked explained
Wimsey and Dr.
What happens
Wimsey and Dr. Penberthy discuss the anomaly of General Fentiman's rigor mortis, particularly the loose left knee joint, and consider the possibility that a shell-shocked person like George Fentiman may have found the body and forced the joint. Wimsey then discovers a scrap of paper in the library blotter, arranges for Bunter to photograph the club under the guise of a journalist, and decides to visit General Fentiman's flat to find Robert Fentiman.
Themes in this chapter
Trauma and Shell Shock
Dr. Penberthy suggests that a shell-shocked club member, possibly George Fentiman, might have reacted hysterically upon finding the General's body, forcing the knee joint.
Deception and Appearance
Wimsey disguises Bunter as a journalist to photograph the club without revealing the true purpose of the investigation.
Characters to notice
- Lord Peter Wimsey
Investigates the rigor mortis anomaly with Dr. Penberthy, finds a scrap of paper in the blotter, and arranges for Bunter to photograph the club.
- Dr. Penberthy
Confidentially discusses the loose knee joint with Wimsey, suggesting a shell-shocked person may have forced it, and confirms rigor was passing off in the face and jaw.
- Bunter
Arrives with camera and tripod; Wimsey instructs him to pose as a journalist to photograph the club.
- Culyer
Club secretary who grants permission for Bunter to photograph, complaining about complaints from Wetheridge.
- General Fentiman
The deceased; his body's rigor mortis anomaly is the focus of discussion.
Key passages
“I wonder if anybody else noticed that? I doubt it. I did, of course. But then, I make that kind of thing my hobby. Not a popular one, perhaps—an ill-favored thing, but mine own. In fact. I’ve got rather a turn for corpses.”
Dr. Penberthy admits he noticed the loose knee joint because of his interest in corpses, but doubts others did.
Penberthy reveals his expertise in forensic details.
“The only thing I could think of was that a waiter or somebody had found him, and tried to move him—and then got frightened and barged off without saying anything.”
Penberthy speculates that a nervous person, possibly a shell-shock case, might have found the body and forced the knee joint before fleeing.
Hypothesis linking the anomaly to a frightened witness.
“I like facts, and there are annoyin'ly few of them in this case.”
Wimsey expresses frustration at the scarcity of concrete evidence.
Wimsey's methodical approach to the investigation.