The Car Explosion

The Mystery of The Invisible Dog

The attack on Mrs Bortz reveals the burglar’s need to delay the pool’s cleaning, while transforming the building’s most intrusive observer into a victim.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Shopping Habit The Shopping Habit from "The Mystery of The Invisible Dog". The Shopping Habit A predictable absence Mrs Bortz usually shops at four in the morning, when she expects little activity in the building.

The Shopping Habit from "The Mystery of The Invisible Dog". The Shopping Habit A predictable absence Mrs Bortz usually shops at four in the morning, when she expects little activity in the building.

The Shopping Habit A predictable absence Mrs Bortz usually shops at four in the morning, when she expects little activity in the building. Fenton Prentice knows the routine and explains it to the boys. A criminal opportunity A predictable departure gives a burglar a narrow window. Murphy can use the routine to plan an attack that appears unrelated to the sculpture.

The Explosion The Explosion from "The Mystery of The Invisible Dog". The Explosion A car loses control The boys hear a blast as Mrs Bortz drives away. Smoke pours from under the bonnet, and her car hits a hydrant.

The Explosion from "The Mystery of The Invisible Dog". The Explosion A car loses control The boys hear a blast as Mrs Bortz drives away. Smoke pours from under the bonnet, and her car hits a hydrant.

The Explosion A car loses control The boys hear a blast as Mrs Bortz drives away. Smoke pours from under the bonnet, and her car hits a hydrant. Immediate rescue Jupiter Jones, Bob Andrews, Pete Crenshaw, and John Murphy help pull her from the flooded wreck. The incident looks like attempted murder before evidence explains the device.

A Paper Fragment A Paper Fragment from "The Mystery of The Invisible Dog". A Paper Fragment Debris in the street Jupiter Jones finds sodden reddish paper and singed wadding near the car.

A Paper Fragment from "The Mystery of The Invisible Dog". A Paper Fragment Debris in the street Jupiter Jones finds sodden reddish paper and singed wadding near the car.

A Paper Fragment Debris in the street Jupiter Jones finds sodden reddish paper and singed wadding near the car. Inspection under the bonnet confirms an explosive device rather than a gunshot. Intent becomes clear The blast was designed to frighten and disable the car, not necessarily kill. Yet it is still a deliberate attack that raises the stakes of the case.

The Pool at Risk The Pool at Risk from "The Mystery of The Invisible Dog". The Pool at Risk A cleaning plan Mrs Bortz had planned to drain and clean the pool while Gwen Chalmers was away.

The Pool at Risk from "The Mystery of The Invisible Dog". The Pool at Risk A cleaning plan Mrs Bortz had planned to drain and clean the pool while Gwen Chalmers was away.

The Pool at Risk A cleaning plan Mrs Bortz had planned to drain and clean the pool while Gwen Chalmers was away. Her comment reveals why her schedule matters to someone hiding an object there. A delay bought Jupiter Jones later concludes that the explosion was meant to keep her from acting on that plan. The device buys the thief a short window to retrieve the Hound.

The Manager Leaves The Manager Leaves from "The Mystery of The Invisible Dog". The Manager Leaves A shaken departure Mrs Bortz leaves for her sister’s home after the dangerous incidents.

The Manager Leaves from "The Mystery of The Invisible Dog". The Manager Leaves A shaken departure Mrs Bortz leaves for her sister’s home after the dangerous incidents.

The Manager Leaves A shaken departure Mrs Bortz leaves for her sister’s home after the dangerous incidents. She is no longer present to monitor the building as closely as before. A consequence of terror The attack succeeds in removing her temporarily from the scene, but also draws police attention. Murphy’s effort to control witnesses creates evidence against him.

Before dawn on Thursday

Around four o’clock the next morning

Minutes after the crash

After the car is examined

The morning after the explosion