Summary of A Shot in the Dark by Hector Hugh Munro
Answers
Philip Sletherby leaves for Chalkshire to meet Mrs. Saltpen Jago as she was an influential woman in Chalkshire and London. It was very important for Philip Sletherby to impress her so that he wins her support and benefitted by her influence.
He is met by a club acquaintance at the platform who talks good about Mrs. Saltpen Jago. He meets a stranger in train who calls himself as Bertie: second son of Mrs. Saltpen Jago. Bertie checks all his pockets multiple times for his coin purse but he was unable to find it. He asks small help of 3 pounds from Philip Sletherby as he was his mother’s friend. He tells Philip Sletherby that as he was travelling to Brondquay for 3 days fishing so he will return home (Brill Manor) on Monday and then will return his 3 quids. Philip Sletherby tries to confirms Bertie’s crest with crest of Mrs. Saltpen Jago which not only mismatches but also Bertie is not able to tell the correct color of her mother’s hair. Thus Philip Sletherby is not convinced that Bertie is the real son of Mrs. Saltpen Jago and hence denies to help Bertie. Bertie gets down furiously and later Philip Sletherby thinks highly of himself that how he will discuss this train’s incident with other guests in the dinner and will be appreciated for his astuteness. This will increase his chances for being chosen as a Party Manager.
On reaching Brill Manor he is received by Claude People who is a professional lawyer working for Mrs. Saltpen Jago. He was a tall but talkative man with a sumptuous car. On his way to Brill Manor he talks about all the luxurious features of his expensive car. Philip Sletherby suddenly looks at the two crests kept in a box at the car window and on further enquiry he gets to know that they both belongs to the Saltpen family. Claude also tells him about recent change in Mrs. Saltpen Jago when she electrifies everyone with blonde hair and her old hair were brown like Bertie. This makes Philip Sletherby silent and speechless in the end of the story.
hope it helps you...........
Answer:
shot in the dark chapter is based on misconception.