The Third Round · Chapter
II: In Which Professor Goodman Realises That There Are More Things in Life Than Chemistry explained
Algy Longworth informs Hugh Drummond that Professor Goodman has discovered a method to manufacture diamonds artificially and has refused a quarter of a million pounds to suppress the discovery.
What happens
Algy Longworth informs Hugh Drummond that Professor Goodman has discovered a method to manufacture diamonds artificially and has refused a quarter of a million pounds to suppress the discovery. Drummond warns that the Professor's decision could ruin wealthy interests and may put him in danger. Later, Drummond encounters the Professor outside his club, who shows him an anonymous threatening letter. Drummond notices the Professor is being followed and confronts the follower. They proceed to lunch at Drummond's club, where they are joined by Toby Sinclair, who mentions that Sir Raymond Blantyre, head of the diamond syndicate, recently returned from Switzerland smiling. Drummond suspects Blantyre's behavior is suspicious given his supposed impending ruin.
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 Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
Professor Goodman’s psychological breaking point—his haggard, defiant accusation (“What have you done to that…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Wealth and Power
The immense financial stakes of the diamond discovery and the power of the syndicate to threaten the Professor highlight the theme.
- Fear and Paranoia
The Professor's life is threatened, and he is followed, creating an atmosphere of fear and suspicion.
- Science and Ethics
Professor Goodman's refusal to suppress his scientific discovery for money raises ethical questions about the responsibility of scientists.
Characters to notice
- Hugh Drummond
Discusses the diamond discovery with Algy, confronts the follower, and arranges lunch with the Professor and Toby Sinclair.
- Algy Longworth
Announces Professor Goodman's discovery and his refusal of the money, and expresses concern for his future father-in-law's safety.
- Professor Goodman
Shows Drummond the threatening letter and is followed by a man; he is determined to announce his discovery despite the risks.
- Toby Sinclair
Joins the lunch and mentions Sir Raymond Blantyre's recent trip to Switzerland and his cheerful return.
- Sir Raymond Blantyre
Mentioned as the head of the diamond syndicate who offered the money and recently returned from Switzerland smiling.
Key passages
“Unless you accept the two hundred and fifty thousand pounds recently offered to you, you will be killed.”
The anonymous letter threatens the Professor's life if he does not take the money and suppress his discovery.
This threat sets the plot in motion and underscores the danger.
“I have an unerring instinct in such matters, Professor. And he was very bad at it—very bad.”
Drummond claims he can always spot a tail, and this one was particularly inept.
Shows Drummond's confidence and expertise in dealing with threats.
