Evans Tries An OLevel Colin Dexter Introduction Evans

Evans Tries An O-Level - Colin Dexter

Introduction • ‘Evans Tries an O –Level’ is a story of a criminal named Evans. In this story, colin Dexter, the author of the popular Inspector Morse novels, shows how an individual is able to shake the entire police department with his cleverness and ingenuity.

• Evans has escaped from the prison three times. • That is why, he is called ‘Evans the Break’ by the police officials. The way he plans his escape for the fourth time with the help of his friends outside the prison earns for him our secret admiration for his cleverness.

Evans the Break • A criminal – in Oxford prison – very clever • Study German- evening classes started • Only one student – Jail authorities arranged a teacher from a technical college – Later known as original teacher but one of Evans’ friends.

Evans wants to take O-level test • Evans –keen to acquire academic qualification-O-Level test in German • The Governor conceded to his request - Arranged with the Examinations Board to hold in the Examination in Evans cell. • A parson from St. Mary Mags to be the invigilator

The Governor takes precautions • Fears –Evans try to escape • Jackson , a senior prison Officer to search Evans cell • Nothing found –spent 2 hrs – removed nail scissors and file • Another Prison officer to stay inside the cell till the examination • Set microphone

Jackson and Stephens visit Evans • Half an hour before the examination- Jackson and Stephens visited Evans’ cell • Evans was given a blade to shave himself • Stephen takes the blade after the shave

Evans hat • Evans wore a filthy hat • Refused to remove it – lucky hat Jackson allowed him to were it • Actually he had cut his long hair to impersonate the invigilator • Had he removed – secret would be revealed

Arrival of the invigilator • Invigilator- Reverend Stuart Mc Leery- a parson- lived alone in his flat in Board Street • At 8. 45 a. m –left-arrived at the gate prison- led to Evans cell • Introduced to Evans

Invigilator –Mc Leery investigated • The Governor suspected the Invigilator-Rang up to Mr. Jackson • Mr. Jackson checked – any weapon was there, suitcase, but nothing was there • Mc Leery had a small semi inflated rubber ring -Explained – suffered from haemorrhoids.

Secret of the Rubber Ring • Actually the rubber ring contained pig’s blood • Later used to pretend that the invigilator was wounded to fool the jailers • The real Mc Leery was tied and gagged in his flat

Examination started • Evans instructed to write the index number- 313 and his centre number – 271 • Jailer Stephen was to be inside the cell but Evans asks him to stay out • Stephen keenly watches through peep hole

Correction in the question paper • 9. 40 a. m – the Governor – error in the question paper • Jackson – informed – conveyed to the Invigilator • - “The Golden Lion” • A hint to Evans – a hoax call

Request for a prison van • The Governor received another call – from the Magistrate – a prison van and two prison officials for a remand case • - a hoax call – Evans friends used it at the end

Stephens keeps his watch • Stephens is very alert • Mc Leery always reading newspaper with his finger hooked on the back of his collar. • Evans sat with his pen between his teeth • Evans draped a blanket around him

A call for Stephens • Three minutes before Exam – a call for Stephens • To accompany Mc Leery to the gate • And check Evans cell properly – locked • A hoax call - Governor

Mc Leery is wounded • Stephens accompanied Mc Leery to the prison gate • On return found Mc Leery in Evans seat- blood trickling down from head • He thought it might be Evans – but not • Called Jackson

Mc Leery escorts to arrest Evans • Detective Superintendent Carter arrives • Mc Lerry say he is alright and knows where he has gone • Governor send both of them

Governor angry • - Evans had kept a parsons dress in the cell – noticed by both Stephens and Jackson • Behind the Question paper instructions for Evans to escape was there- Governor sure to arrest Evans

Evans personating Mc Leery escapes • Carter – Governor – Mc Leery had spotted Evans in a car – Elsfiedway in a car • Chased the car – disappeared at Headington round

Mc Leery in Hospital • Mc Leery went to the Examination Offices and appeared very ill • Radcliffee Hospital for an ambulance • Governor rang up and found that he was not there

Real Mc Leery • Two men called on Mc Leery and reached his flat • Tied him and Evans has impersonated and escaped from the Examination hall through the ambulance

Evans traced in his hotel room • Evans was happy in the Hotelshocked to find the Governor • Governor traced the Hotel Golden Lion and the index number and centre number referred to Chipping Norton in Ordinance Survey Map

Evans confesses • Evans appreciates the Governor’s intelligence • Evans reveals all the facts of the game he had played • His friends had helped him

Evans is arrested • The Governor and Evans come to the Hotel Lobby • The Receptionist says that the Prison officials are waiting with the Prison van • Evans is handcuffed

• • • Evans released The Governor is once again deceived The prison officials unlocked the handcuff Prison officials were none other than his friends who had asked for the Prison Van They drove to Newbury Evans escaped for the fourth time