Part VI, Pursuit by Thunder Summary and Analysis

This section of twelve chapters finally answers some of the questions raised in the book's prologue, with its reference to the "mysterious passengers." The climax of the narrative action occurs here, with the pursuit and apprehension of Crippen and Ethel.

Crippen and Ethel enjoy their ocean crossing and are gratified by the amount of attention paid them by Kendall, the ship's captain. Kendall still has deep suspicions and secretly searches their cabin, but is cautious about raising a false alarm. He realizes, however, that if he is to send a message back to England, he must do so while he is still within 150 miles of shore, corresponding to the range of his shipboard transmitter. Kendall probes his passengers without arousing their suspicions, and sees that the boy's table manners are delicate, while the...