An Outback Marriage · Chapter
The Real Certificate explained
As the trial approaches, Blake grows restless.
What happens
As the trial approaches, Blake grows restless. He demands a third of the potential winnings from Peggy and Red Mick. Peggy reveals the original marriage certificate, which names Patrick Henry Keogh instead of William Grant, exposing the fraud. Blake, realizing his case has crumbled, decides to alter the certificate, erasing Keogh's name and inserting Grant's, committing a criminal act to salvage his scheme.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Fraud
The entire chapter revolves around the exposure of Peggy's forged marriage certificate and Blake's decision to commit further forgery to salvage the case.
Greed and Ambition
Blake's demand for a third of the winnings and his willingness to commit a crime for a million pounds highlight the driving force of greed.
Characters to notice
- Gavan Blake
Grows irritable as the case approaches; demands a third of the winnings; discovers the real certificate and forges it.
- Peggy Donohoe
Reveals the original marriage certificate to Blake; shows strain and defiance but ultimately complies.
- Red Mick Donohoe
Brought in by Blake after the certificate revelation; agrees to continue with the case despite the risk.
- Ellen Harriott
Seen in Tarrong by Blake; she goes deathly white but makes no sign of recognition.
- Mary Grant
Seen in Tarrong with Ellen Harriott; no direct interaction with Blake.
Key passages
“I want one-third of what you get. That’ll leave you nearly a million of money.”
Blake demands a third of the inheritance as his fee, claiming it will still leave Peggy with nearly a million.
Blake's aggressive negotiation reveals his greed and the high stakes of the case.
“He took an eraser, made a few swift light strokes on the paper over the almost illegible writing, and “Patrick Henry Keogh” disappeared; on the space that it had occupied he wrote “William Grant,” in faint strokes of a pencil.”
Blake erases the real name on the certificate and forges Grant's name instead, committing a criminal act.
This moment marks Blake's deliberate crossing into criminality to save his case.