Evans Tries An O-Level Summary by Colin Dexter

The riveting tale revolves around the life of a thief names James R. Evans who isย known toย frustrate theย law enforces and escape from prisons. He had achieved the feat on three previous occasions so when he was transferred to Oxford prison, the Governor of the prison made sure that he was not getting out of there. It became his obsession and mission.

Evans was a clever thief.ย Improvising, he expressed an interest to learn aย foreign language. Heย chose German. As part of the corrective regime at Oxford Prison, he was accorded a full-time teacher and reading materials.

Sixย months and copious amounts of lessons later, it was the examination day to see if Evans could accomplish his degree. His tutor had little hope in his prospects but he remained confident in his ability to come up with a shock.

Taking every precaution possible, prison went in lock down. Evans was ordered to give his exam in his cell only. His cell was checked and removed ofย anything capable of being used for mischief.

A parson was asked to oversee his exam namedย Reverend McLeery.ย Reverend was frisked at entry andย escorted to the exam spot. An officer was postedย outside the cell at all times to ensure full control of proceedings.

  • Reverend Injured

Before the end of the session, the patrolling guardย prank calledย to takeย him to the exit.ย After leaving McLeery to the door the guard returned to a shocking scene in the cell. There wasย the reverendย lying injured.

Theย Governor realized that Evans must have tricked and disguised himself. The injured reverend wasย whisked to the emergency room and the search party was dispatched after theย absconding Evans.

  • Evanโ€™s Escape Plan


However, the Governor was stressed further when the hospital denied having ever received any patient named McLeery. The Governor realized the plan and searched through the cell for clues. He found an escape planย (handed to him by the injured reverend). He soon learned Evansโ€™ hideout and caught him seemingly unawares.

Theย gloating Governor ordered an accompanying officer to takeย the prisoner away. Theย Governor commanded him to beย incarcerated. In the end,ย thisย was also part of Evansโ€™ original plan with the officer the same person whoย was dressed asย McLeery.

The actual reverend was tied in his own house. Evansโ€™ย friend had wornย doubleย clothing to offer a disguise toย fool the guards.ย Therefore, Evansโ€™ planย worked like a charm and he was able to execute his fourth prison escape.

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