The case of the Black Twenty-Two

In Short

This classic English whodunit follows the brilliant, unflappable Anthony Bathurst as he pivots from a London gallery crime to a puzzling slaying in a country manor. When a wealthy man is found dead in a locked library, his son and ward become prime suspects in a case involving cryptic historical tapestries known as the "Black Twenty-Two." A stylish blend of puzzle-solving and character-driven mystery, the book endures as a quintessential example of the 1920s detective genre, emphasizing intellectual deduction over brute force and delivering a satisfying, if complex, resolution.

The Story

The narrative begins in London, where Peter Daventry, a junior solicitor, finds his professional life lacking excitement until a murder occurs at the Hanover Galleries. The victim, a night watchman, is killed during a theft involving rare historical artifacts, including a set of antique screens once belonging to Mary, Queen of Scots. Shortly thereafter, the investigation shifts to Assynton Lodge, a country estate where the wealthy Laurence Stewart is discovered murdered in his locked library. Despite the doors being bolted from the inside and the key still in the lock, Stewart is found with his skull shattered, leaving the police baffled by the impossibility of the crime.

Anthony Bathurst, a detective of keen intellect and calm demeanor, arrives at the estate to assist Stewart’s son, Charles. The household is tense, with suspicions swirling around Marjorie Lennox, the victim’s ward, and a mysterious secretary named Llewellyn. Bathurst, however, is more interested in the dead man’s vast collection of historical treasures and the curious history of the stolen screens. He posits that the motive for the violence lies in a secret cache of gems—the "Black Twenty-Two"—that were hidden within the tapestry work by a French historical figure, Thibaut Girardier.

As Bathurst systematically examines the clues—a misplaced bicycle, a sneeze from a mysterious woman, and a hidden document tucked into a book—he begins to connect the London theft to the country murder. He deduces that the killers are not mere burglars but sophisticated criminals who have infiltrated the Stewart household. He identifies the perpetrators as the "Mortimers," a duo who posed as guests to gain proximity to the collection. In a climactic confrontation, Bathurst and the police trap the culprits in the library. As the case unravels, it is revealed that the butler, John Butterworth, played a treacherous role in the murder of his master, while the Mortimers were responsible for the initial gallery killing. In the final resolution, the stolen fortune is recovered, the mystery of the screens is explained, and the surviving members of the Stewart family are left to navigate the complexities of their inheritance and future happiness, with the "Black Twenty-Two" serving as a final, ironic wedding gift.

How It Unfolds

A grim discovery After a listless morning at a law firm, Peter Daventry encounters the aftermath of a brutal robbery at the Hanover Galleries. The murder of a night watchman sets the stage for a deeper, more dangerous investigation.

The locked room mystery The focus shifts to Assynton Lodge, where Laurence Stewart is found murdered in a room locked from the inside. The local police find themselves out of their depth, prompting the arrival of the observant Anthony Bathurst.

Piecing together the motive Bathurst ignores the superficial theories of the police to focus on a collection of two thousand artifacts. He suspects that the killer is looking for something specific hidden among the historical relics.

The trail of the culprits By analyzing small details—an unexplained sneeze, a library book containing a hidden paper, and the behavior of the household staff—Bathurst closes in on the intruders. He links the London gallery murder to the internal treachery at the lodge.

The final trap Bathurst orchestrates a confrontation that forces the guilty parties into the open. As the police move in to make arrests, the full scope of the conspiracy is laid bare, ending the cycle of violence.

The People

Anthony Bathurst is the calm, intellectual center of the story. Driven by a desire for truth rather than glory, he uses his deep historical knowledge and observational skills to dismantle the suspects' lies.

Peter Daventry serves as the reader’s energetic, if sometimes impulsive, guide. A junior solicitor with a taste for excitement, he is Bathurst’s loyal partner, though he often struggles to keep pace with the detective’s mental leaps.

Laurence Stewart is the victim whose secret history and vast collection provide the catalyst for the crimes. His death leaves behind a fractured household and a fortune that becomes a source of both greed and redemption.

Charles Stewart is the victim’s son, caught between grief and the burden of his father’s complicated affairs. His desire to marry outside of his father's approval adds a layer of emotional tension to the investigation.

John Butterworth is the butler whose outward appearance of service hides a calculating and dangerous nature. He represents the danger of the "insider" who knows the secrets of the house.

Marjorie Lennox is the victim's ward, a composed and enigmatic young woman whose hidden actions and secret alliances make her a focal point of suspicion throughout the inquiry.

In Its Own Voice

“It’s a dull old world nowadays and devilish difficult to get thrills out of a business like this.”

Peter Daventry expresses his frustration with the monotony of legal work before the mystery begins.

“The riddle cannot be read from one of the twain—alone.”

Bathurst realizes that the solution to the mystery lies in deciphering the two historical screens together.

“I’m perfectly satisfied.”

Inspector Goodall acknowledges Bathurst’s brilliance after the detective explains the final piece of his deductive reasoning.

What It's Really About

The book explores the tension between the weight of history and the chaotic impulses of the present. The historical artifacts—Mary, Queen of Scots’ screens and the gems hidden within—act as conduits for greed, drawing the characters into a cycle of betrayal. Central to the argument is the idea that order can be restored through the patient application of reason. Bathurst’s process—describing a circle around a problem—suggests that the truth is always present, provided one knows how to look at the evidence without the fog of prejudice. It is a story about the fragility of domestic security and how quickly the past can reach out to destroy the present.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy a traditional, methodical mystery will appreciate the formal structure and the intellectual rigor of Anthony Bathurst. The pacing is reflective of the 1920s style—leisurely and dialogue-heavy—which invites the reader to solve the puzzle alongside the protagonist. Those who relish the "locked room" trope will find the setup at Assynton Lodge particularly satisfying, as it offers a clean, logical puzzle amidst a lush country setting.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the period-specific attitudes and the occasional heavy-handed exposition typical of its era. The dialogue sometimes leans into the "golly" and "dash it" vernacular of the time, which can feel dated or slightly jarring. Furthermore, the plot relies on a deep knowledge of historical and literary references that may require a bit of patience. Yet, for those who value atmosphere and the slow, gratifying burn of a well-constructed investigation, the book provides a charming and intelligent escape. It is a solid, well-crafted piece of detective fiction that rewards the careful reader with a coherent, logical conclusion.