The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle · Chapter
The End of the Mystery explained
The trial concludes as Bob the dog gives testimony revealing the truth behind Luke the Hermit's past.
What happens
The trial concludes as Bob the dog gives testimony revealing the truth behind Luke the Hermit's past. Bob explains that Luke, Mendoza, and Bluebeard Bill were gold-mining partners in Mexico. Mendoza plotted to kill Luke for the gold, but Bob's intervention caused Bill's accidental death. Fearing false accusations, Luke fled to England with Bob and became a hermit. Mendoza escapes the courtroom, and the jury is moved by Luke's story.
Themes in this chapter
Communication with Animals
Bob's testimony, translated by Doctor Dolittle, is the pivotal evidence that resolves the mystery and proves Luke's innocence.
Justice and Truth
The chapter highlights the triumph of truth through Bob's honest account, leading to Luke's exoneration and Mendoza's exposure.
Characters to notice
- Doctor Dolittle
Translates Bob's testimony for the court, revealing the truth about Luke's past.
- Luke the Hermit
The defendant; his innocence is proven through Bob's account of the events in Mexico.
- Jip
Bob, the dog, is the key witness; his testimony clears Luke and exposes Mendoza's treachery.
- Mendoza
The villainous partner who plotted to kill Luke; he sneaks out of court and is never seen again.
- Bluebeard Bill
Mentioned as the third partner who died accidentally when the bucket fell down the mine.
- Mr. Percy Jenkyns
The prosecutor who objects to Bob's testimony but is unable to cross-examine the dog.
Key passages
“On the night of the 29th of November, 1824, I was with my master, Luke Fitzjohn (otherwise known as Luke the Hermit) and his two partners, Manuel Mendoza and William Boggs (otherwise known as Bluebeard Bill) on their goldmine in Mexico.”
Bob recounts being with Luke, Mendoza, and Bill at their Mexican goldmine on November 29, 1824.
Bob's testimony establishes the setting and key players in the incident.
“I did a thing I've never done before: suddenly and savagely I bit my master in the leg from behind. Luke was so hurt and startled that he did just what I wanted him to do: he let go the rope with both hands at once and turned round. And then, Crash! down went Bill in his bucket to the bottom of the mine and he was killed.”
To save Luke from being shot by Mendoza, Bob bit Luke's leg, causing him to drop the rope and accidentally kill Bill.
Bob's desperate act prevented murder but led to Bill's accidental death.
“And soon my master grew afraid; for he saw that if Mendoza only told enough lies to the police, it would look as though he had killed Bill on purpose. So while Mendoza was gone he and I stole away together secretly and came to England.”
Fearing Mendoza would frame him for Bill's death, Luke fled with Bob to England and became a hermit.
Explains why Luke went into hiding for fifteen years.