Percival Bland's Proxy
The narrative follows Percival Bland, a criminal with a modicum of common sense, who finds himself in a precarious situation due to his illegal activities. He frequents auctions, where he acquires a collection of human bones, which he plans to use in a nefarious scheme involving his cousin, Robert Lindsay, who bears a resemblance to him. Bland's intentions are to assume Lindsay's identity, especially since he has taken out a life insurance policy on him. As Christmas approaches, Bland prepares for his plan, purchasing various items to aid in his deception. He meticulously reconstructs the skeleton he acquired, dressing it in his cousin's clothes to create a convincing dummy. On Christmas night, after ensuring his landlady is away, he sets the scene for a fire in his lodgings, intending to fake his own death and claim the insurance money. However, the plan goes awry. The fire consumes the building, and Bland's charred remains are discovered among the ruins. The investigation into the fire reveals inconsistencies, leading to suspicions of foul play. A coroner's inquest is held, and the evidence suggests that Bland's death was not accidental. The remains found are identified as belonging to a negress, not Bland, raising questions about the true identity of the body. The narrative shifts to a forensic investigation led by a medical expert, who uncovers the truth behind the charred remains. The analysis reveals that the body was not that of Bland but rather a carefully staged deception. The expert deduces that Bland had attempted to cover up his crime by dressing a different body in his clothes and setting the fire to eliminate evidence. Ultimately, Bland's plan unravels, leading to his arrest. The story concludes with a commentary on the dangers of suggestion and the consequences of deceit, as Bland faces justice for his actions. The tale serves as a cautionary narrative about the lengths to which one might go to escape the law and the inevitable downfall that follows.
By R. Austin Freeman · First published 1911 · Genre: Mystery, Crime Fiction, Detective Fiction · 2 chapters · 9,789 words
First lines
Mr. Percival Bland was a somewhat uncommon type of criminal. In the first place he really had an appreciable amount of common-sense. If he had only had a little more, he would not have been a criminal at all. As it was, he had just sufficient judgment to perceive that the consequences of unlawful acts accumulate as the acts are repeated; to realise that the criminal's position must, at length, become untenable; and to take what he considered fair precautions against the inevitable catastrophe.
What this Textopian page supports
Percival Bland's Proxy is listed on Textopian as a novel by R. Austin Freeman, dated 1911 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: R. Austin Freeman
- Date: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Crime Fiction, Detective Fiction, Thriller, Literary Fiction
- Length: 9,789 words
- Structure: 2 chapters, 140 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for Percival Bland's Proxy by R. Austin Freeman
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Mystery — The plot revolves around a crime, specifically the investigation of a suspicious fire and the death of Percival Bland, which is central to the narrative.
- Crime Fiction — The story features criminal activities, including arson and fraud, and explores the mind of a criminal.
- Detective Fiction — The narrative includes an investigation led by a detective figure, John Thorndyke, who seeks to uncover the truth behind the events.
- Thriller — The tension and suspense surrounding the investigation and the protagonist's actions create a thrilling atmosphere.
Tags
mystery · detective · crime · investigation · suspense · thriller · fiction · literature · plot twist · character study · psychological · British literature