# Larry Hughes — The Lazy Detective character guide > Larry Hughes in The Lazy Detective by George Dilnot. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Larry, friend Larry, Mr. Larry Hughes, Hughes, Mr. Hughes **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A sleek man about town with a steam yacht and a taste for art, Larry Hughes is the most adroit crime organiser in London — and utterly unprovable. ## Who they are To the world Larry Hughes is a cultivated gentleman of leisure, impeccable enough that any officer who dared haul him to a cell would face a ruinous suit for damages. To Labar and police circles worldwide, he is the audacious, ingenious mind behind half the professional crime in his division, running theft like big business through intermediaries who never touch the loot. He is the wall Labar must break, and the early chapters make clear that breaking him will be a man's-size job. ## Relationships ### [Harry Labar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/harry_labar) _friendship_ Harry and Larry are close friends and frequent partners in crime-solving, with the highest number of interactions indicating a strong bond. ### [Penelope Noelson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/penelope_noelson) _friendship_ Larry and Penelope are good friends, frequently interacting as part of the same social and investigative circle. ### [Adèle Gertstein](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/adele_gertstein) _friendship_ Adèle and Larry are friends and mutual associates, often interacting due to their shared connection with Harry. ### [Sophie Lengholm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/sophie_lengholm) _romantic_ Larry and Sophie share a romantic relationship, with frequent interactions indicating a close personal bond. ### [Tom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/tom) _friendship_ Larry and Tom are friends, often interacting as part of the same social circle. ### [Bill Bungey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/bill_bungey) _friendship_ Bill and Larry are friends, likely sharing a camaraderie through their connection to Harry. ### [Harry Labar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/harry_labar) _friendship_ Harry and Larry are close friends and frequent partners in crime-solving, with the highest number of interactions indicating a strong bond. ### [Harry Labar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/harry_labar) _friendship_ Harry and Larry are close friends and frequent partners in crime-solving, with the highest number of interactions indicating a strong bond. ### [Penelope Noelson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/penelope_noelson) _friendship_ Larry and Penelope are good friends, frequently interacting as part of the same social and investigative circle. ### [Penelope Noelson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/penelope_noelson) _friendship_ Larry and Penelope are good friends, frequently interacting as part of the same social and investigative circle. ### [Tom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/tom) _friendship_ Larry and Tom are friends, often interacting as part of the same social circle. ### [Adèle Gertstein](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/adele_gertstein) _friendship_ Adèle and Larry are friends and mutual associates, often interacting due to their shared connection with Harry. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/i) Sleek, cultivated crime organizer; Labar is certain he is behind much of the professional crime in the West End but cannot prove it. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/ii) Prime suspect in the robbery, identified by Malone as having the 'hallmark' of the crime. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/iv) Suspected by Labar of being behind the robbery; Labar has him shadowed. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/v) Confronted by Labar at his home; initially denies knowing Penelope Noelson but is caught by the photograph; later threatens Labar with a gun and destroys the photo. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/vi) Identified as the likely abductor of Penelope Noelson; Labar suspects he engineered the burglary. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/vii) Forcibly abducts Penelope; tries to persuade her he is her friend; accidentally reveals his connection to Adèle; proposes marriage and threatens her when refused. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/viii) Fugitive who abducted Penelope; feared in the underworld for his long arm and ruthless discipline against informants. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/ix) Larry remains at large, scanning newspapers; his Hampstead house search yields nothing incriminating. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/x) Brings Penelope to his remote country house, threatens Sophie, and later disarms Penelope during her escape attempt. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xi) Adèle writes to him asking for a loan of £5,000; she hopes to see him at Goodwood. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xii) Target of Labar's investigation; recipient of Mrs. Gertstein's letter. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xiii) Arrives at the end of the chapter, armed with an automatic, interrupting Labar's interrogation. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xiv) Interrupts the interrogation, offers Labar a bribe, and is knocked unconscious during the struggle. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xv) Implied to be directing the gang from the house; Labar believes he is holding Penelope. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xvi) Larry orchestrates the escape from 'Maid's Retreat,' leaves a threatening letter for Labar, and takes Penelope as a hostage. He is portrayed as ruthless and cunning. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xvii) Referred to as Adèle's lover and a crook; his recommendation led to Stebbins' employment at Streetly House. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xviii) Referenced indirectly as the likely 'Panjandrum' and the mastermind behind the robbery, though Stebbins claims never to have seen him. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xix) Returns with a bloodstained face and a wounded man; brings Adèle Gertstein to the house; treats Penelope with punctilious politeness but has a savage will. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xx) Apologizes to Adèle but asserts control, denies involvement in blackmail, and plans to flee with both women, threatening Adèle with prison. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxi) Larry is the primary target of the manhunt; Labar believes he is hiding in the Kent-Sussex area, possibly in the Romney Marshes. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxii) Implied to be at the house; his gang holds Penelope prisoner. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxiii) Abducted Penelope and conspired with Adèle to force her into marriage; actively making arrangements to escape. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxiv) Surprises Labar from behind a secret panel in the study, holding a pistol alongside Billy Bungey. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxv) Leads the ambush; struggles with indecision about abandoning his crew but ultimately decides to test the escape route. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxvi) Larry is mentioned as being away scouting with Bungey; Labar sows doubt about his loyalty to the gang. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxvii) Escapes through the tunnel before the raid; his whereabouts remain unknown. ### [Chapter XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxix) Kills Billy Bungey's shooter, escapes into a cornfield, and later abducts Penelope at the train station. ### [The Final Reckoning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/chapters/xxx) Captured by Labar after a chase to Rye; reflects on his downfall due to his obsession with Penelope. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters/larry_hughes - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lazy_detective_se/characters