Ashenden · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Ashenden by W. Somerset Maugham.
Chapter 1
Ashenden
Ashenden, a British author turned spy, is recruited by R. and sent to Switzerland during World War I. He navigates a world of espionage filled with boredom, moral ambiguity, and deception, encountering a cast of characters including the Hairless Mexican, Anastasia Alexandrovna, and Giulia Lazzari. The chapter explores the tension between the romantic ideal of spycraft and its mundane, often cynical reality.
Chapter 2
R.
Ashenden, a writer, returns to England after the outbreak of war and is recruited into the secret service by a middle-aged Colonel known as R. During their meeting, R. recounts a supposedly true espionage incident involving a French minister, a yellow-haired lady, and a stolen dispatch-case, which Ashenden dismisses as a cliché from fiction. Ashenden accepts the job, receiving instructions to go to Geneva, and is warned that he will receive no thanks or help if he gets into trouble.
Chapter 3
II: A Domiciliary Visit
Ashenden returns to Geneva by steamer after a stormy crossing from France, where he had delivered a report. He recalls a recent urgent mission: an Indian agent informed him of a Bengali spy in German service who left a black cane trunk of documents in the Zürich station cloakroom. The Germans planned to burgle the station that night to retrieve it. Ashenden traveled to Berne to alert British Intelligence, but it was too late for them to act directly; they instead alerted Swiss authorities. Back in Geneva, Ashenden reflects on his fragmented role in the espionage machine, then deals with a spy named Bernard who attempts blackmail. Ashenden coolly refuses and threatens consequences, leaving Bernard to decide. The chapter ends with Ashenden relaxing in a hot bath, relieved to have avoided arrest.
Chapter 4
III: Miss King
Ashenden, relaxing after a police scare, is summoned to the bedside of Miss King, an elderly English governess who has suffered a stroke. He sits with her through the night, sensing she desperately wants to communicate something important—possibly related to the war or espionage—but she is paralyzed and cannot speak. Despite his attempts to interpret her gaze, she dies after uttering only the word 'England.' The chapter explores Ashenden's internal conflict between cynical rationality and the pull of patriotic duty.
Chapter 5
IV: The Hairless Mexican
Ashenden is introduced to the Hairless Mexican, a flamboyant and dangerous agent, by R. in Lyons. R. explains the mission: intercept a Greek spy, Constantine Andreadi, who is traveling from Constantinople to Rome with secret documents for the German embassy. Ashenden is to accompany the Mexican to Naples, providing funds in exchange for the documents. The chapter details their train journey, the Mexican's eccentric and lethal character, and Ashenden's growing unease about the mission's moral implications.
Chapter 6
The Dark Woman
Ashenden and the Hairless Mexican travel together, playing piquet and discussing card games, love, and fate. The Hairless Mexican shares stories of his past, including his lost estates in Mexico and a dark woman who resisted him. They part ways at Rome, with Ashenden heading to Naples and the Mexican to Brindisi to intercept the Greek spy Constantine Andreadi.
Chapter 7
VI: The Greek
Ashenden arrives in Naples and spends three days enjoying the city's atmosphere before the Hairless Mexican appears in his hotel room, having located the Greek spy Constantine Andreadi. They attempt to retrieve secret papers from Andreadi's hotel room but fail. After a tense night, Ashenden decodes a telegram revealing that Andreadi was detained in Piraeus and never sailed, meaning the Hairless Mexican has killed the wrong man.
Chapter 8
VII: A Trip to Paris
Ashenden reflects on his life in Geneva, finding it orderly and monotonous despite his claim of never being bored. He receives a telegram from R. summoning him to Paris under the pretext of a sick aunt. In Paris, he meets R., who outlines a plan to capture an Indian revolutionary. They have lunch at a fashionable restaurant, where Ashenden admires the revolutionary's motives while R. remains focused on the mission.
Chapter 9
VIII: Giulia Lazzari
Ashenden confronts Giulia Lazzari after her lover's death, revealing that he took poison to avoid capture. Ashenden grants her freedom but she attempts to escape, only to be thwarted by lack of a passport. He ultimately delivers her back to detectives for return to England, reflecting on her sordid life and the transactional nature of her relationships.
Chapter 10
IX: Gustav
Ashenden investigates Gustav, a spy who has been providing reports from Germany. He discovers that Gustav has been fabricating his intelligence from the safety of his home in Basle, never actually crossing the border. Ashenden confronts him, and Gustav admits the deception, claiming he loves his wife too much to risk his life. Ashenden then attempts to turn Gustav into a double agent, asking for information about Grantley Caypor, a suspected German spy in Lucerne.
Chapter 11
Behind the Scenes
Ashenden arrives in X, a capital divided by war and internal strife, tasked with a secret mission that puts him at odds with both the British and American ambassadors. He navigates the delicate politics of espionage, eventually winning over the initially cold Sir Herbert Witherspoon by helping him manage the indiscreet American ambassador, Mr. Wilbur Schäfer, whose relationship with a Swedish countess poses a security risk. Through his assistant Herbartus, Ashenden plants a maid in the countess's household, uncovering information that leads to a diplomatic resolution and a dinner invitation from Sir Herbert.
Chapter 12
XII: His Excellency
Ashenden dines alone with Sir Herbert Witherspoon, the British ambassador, who unexpectedly reveals a deeply personal story about a man's sordid affair with a vulgar actress named Alix, his struggle to break free, and his engagement to a suitable woman. The ambassador's composure cracks as he recounts the tale, leaving Ashenden uncomfortable. Lady Anne Witherspoon arrives late from a concert, and Ashenden departs.
Chapter 13
XIII: The Flip of a Coin
Ashenden hurries to meet Herbartus, who has a plan to blow up Austrian munition factories, which would cause casualties among Galician Poles. Ashenden is torn by the moral weight of the decision. He recalls a past conversation with R. about the assassination of King B., where R. refused to countenance such methods despite their usefulness. Now, faced with a similar dilemma, Ashenden and Herbartus decide to flip a coin to determine whether to proceed with the sabotage.
Chapter 14
XIV: A Chance Acquaintance
Ashenden arrives in Vladivostok to begin a critical mission to Petrograd via the Trans-Siberian Railway. He is met by Benedict, the interpreter from the British Consulate, who has arranged his travel and introduces him to his American travelling companion, Mr. John Quincy Harrington. The chapter details the chaotic scene at the station, the tense confrontation over their reserved carriage, and the ensuing ten-day journey. Ashenden finds Harrington to be an insufferable bore—constantly reciting speeches and pontificating—yet also kind, helpful, and oddly endearing. Despite his exasperation, Ashenden develops a grudging affection for the well-meaning, fastidious American.
Chapter 15
Love and Russian Literature
Ashenden arrives in Petrograd and feels overwhelmed by the immensity of Russia and the weight of his secret mission to prevent a separate peace. He reconnects with Dr. Egon Orth and his Czech associates, and arranges for Orth to serve as Mr. Harrington's interpreter. Ashenden also inquires about Anastasia Alexandrovna Leonidov, a woman from his past, and reflects on their affair and the cultural fascination with Russia that swept Europe.
Chapter 16
XVI: Mr. Harrington’s Washing
Ashenden reconnects with Anastasia Alexandrovna in Petrograd amid the Russian Revolution. He enlists her help in his espionage work, while Mr. Harrington stubbornly pursues his business and his laundry. After a dangerous outing to retrieve the washing, Anastasia returns alone, distraught, fearing Mr. Harrington may have been caught in street violence.
