Bulldog Drummond · Chapter
In Which He Goes to Paris for a Night explained
Drummond, having escaped from the roof of The Elms after helping the American Potts, orchestrates a plan to follow Peterson to Paris.
What happens
Drummond, having escaped from the roof of The Elms after helping the American Potts, orchestrates a plan to follow Peterson to Paris. He and his friends—Algy, Peter, and Ted—prepare for a covert operation, with Drummond deliberately leading a pursuer on a chase before incapacitating him. They fly to Paris, crash-land in a field, and arrive at the Ritz, where Drummond intends to spy on a revolutionary meeting.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of Hugh's romantic a…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Post-War Disillusionment and the Search for Adventure
Drummond and his friends, demobilized soldiers, seek excitement and purpose in dangerous escapades.
- Criminal Conspiracy and Revolution
Peterson is linked with a 'wild-eyed, ragged-trousered crowd of revolutionaries,' and Drummond aims to uncover their plans.
- Deception and Disguise
Ted Jerningham is to disguise himself as a waiter; Drummond uses misdirection to evade and capture a pursuer.
Characters to notice
- Captain Hugh Drummond
Leads the escape from The Elms, orchestrates the pursuit of Peterson, and plans to infiltrate a revolutionary meeting in Paris.
- Mr. Hiram Potts
Rescued by Drummond from torture; follows instructions to flee to The Larches and later accompanies Drummond to Paris.
- Peter Darrell
Assists Drummond in the chase, helps incapacitate the sleuth, and participates in the Paris plan.
- Ted Jerningham
Tasked with obtaining a waiter's disguise for the Paris operation.
- Algy Longworth
Left to hold the fort in London while the others go to Paris.
- Carl Peterson
Leaves for Paris, prompting Drummond's pursuit; associated with revolutionaries.
Key passages
“It occurred to him that far too few unbiased people knew where he was: it further occurred to him that it was a state of affairs which was likely to continue unless he remedied it himself.”
Drummond realized that almost no one knew his location, and that would remain true unless he took action.
Drummond decides to attract attention by singing loudly from the roof.
“The great point is whether you'll find out, even if you do,' returned Peter. 'The man's not going to stand in the hall and shout it through a megaphone.'”
Peter questions whether Drummond can learn anything useful, since Peterson won't announce his plans publicly.
Peter expresses skepticism about Drummond's plan to spy on the meeting.
“Disguised as a waiter, or a chambermaid, or a coffee machine or something—you will discover secrets.”
Drummond tells Ted he will go in disguise, perhaps as a waiter, to uncover information.
Drummond assigns Ted the role of infiltrator in Paris.
