Ever have one of those "now I can't sleep" questions?

[rabidsamfan]

Has anyone got a copy of the Lord Peter story -- I think it's called something something Ali Baba's Cave -- where he pretends to be dead so as to sneak into a criminal society? I need an answer to a stupid question...

Comments

[izhilzha.livejournal.com]

I have a copy of that collection right here on my bookshelf. What do you need?

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

I need to know if Charles Parker was in on the deception or if he thought Peter was dead too.

[lothithil.livejournal.com]

"The Adventurous Exploit of the Cave of Ali Baba" I don't have a copy of the book... my friend Halavana might. She's the one who drew me in to the world of Lord Peter... through the dvds.

I'd be happy to pass along the question to her, if you like.

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

Thanks, but I think I've got someone to answer it. I am, however, duly impressed by your ability to remember the entire title.

[lame-pegasus.livejournal.com]

I have a German copy... and if I remember that correctly, Charles knew.

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

Did he know the whole time, or only just at the last, though?

[lame-pegasus.livejournal.com]

He knew all the time; his colleague, a sturdy Inspector, didn't know and was absolutely flabbergasted when he found out.

[lothithil.livejournal.com]

Actually, I looked it up. This was in the Wikipedia entry for "Lord Peter Wimsey:

As recounted in ""The Adventurous Exploit of the Cave of Ali Baba", in December 1927 Wimsey faked his own death, supposedly while hunting big game in Tanganyka, in order to penetrate and break up a particularly dangerous and well-organised criminal gang. Only Wimsey's mother and sister, the loyal Bunter and Inspector Parker knew he was still alive. Emerging victorious after more than a year maquarading as "the disgruntled sacked servant Rogers", Wimsey remarked that "We shall have a awful time with the lawyers, proving that I am me". In fact, however, he got smoothly back to his old life, and the interlude is never refered to in later books.

The fact that Wikipedia had entries for fictional characters cracks me up to no end... *g* Accuracy, on the other hand, is subject to question and interpretation, sometimes.

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

Argh... Wikipedia is not always my friend.

Thing is I think I remember Parker saying something about mourning, although it might have been Sugg... I need the flipping book!

[izhilzha.livejournal.com]

Huh, I would have said that Parker didn't know, but then again someone in law enforcement would have to... *checks book*

Ha! Wikipedia is wrong! I quote:

[Parker says this first bit, though he's not strictly named in the text, it can't be anyone else.] 'Good lord, what a day! What a come-back for a public character! You old stinker--to let us go on for two years thinking you were dead! I bought a bit of black for an arm-band. I did, really. Did anybody know, besides Bunter?'

'Only my mother and sister. I put it in a secret trust--you know, the thing you send to executors and people. We shall have an awful time with the lawyers, I'm afraid, proving I'm me. Hullo! Is that friend Sugg?'

[And then Sugg and Peter exchange a few words.]

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

Hooray! Bless you! Thank you! *falls over and collapses into bed*

[lame-pegasus.livejournal.com]

Ooops. Good that someone actually went and checked the original source; I couldn't find my copy. *blushes*

[izhilzha.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! My good fannish deed for the day. Aw, Lord Peter.

[spacefall.livejournal.com]

My brain: Wow, infiltrating a criminal society of the dead! ;D

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

That would be the ones who would think your brains were quite tasty indeed! :D

[spacefall.livejournal.com]

And his brains especially? Or would they be too dusty?

[dreamflower]

Whee!! Lord Peter!! *grins foolishly*

[lindelea1.livejournal.com]

What fun! I hadn't read that one before.