Behind That Curtain · Chapter
IX: The Port of Missing Women explained
Thursday morning, Chan discovers that the butler Paradise steamed open a letter from Scotland Yard.
What happens
Thursday morning, Chan discovers that the butler Paradise steamed open a letter from Scotland Yard. He and Barry Kirk decide to keep silent and watch him. Chan summons reporter Bill Rankin, and they join Captain Flannery and June Morrow at the Globe office to interview Eileen Enderby. Enderby reveals that Sir Frederic questioned her about Jennie Jerome, a model who vanished seven years ago in New York. After the interview, Enderby returns with her husband and admits she omitted a key detail, adding to the puzzle of missing women connected to the Kirk Building.
Themes in this chapter
The Elusive Nature of Truth
Eileen Enderby initially withholds a key detail about Jennie Jerome, underscoring how truth is fragmented and must be coaxed out.
The Past Haunting the Present
The seven-year-old disappearance of Jennie Jerome resurfaces, linking past events to the current murder investigation.
Suspicion and Trust
Chan and Kirk decide to watch Paradise silently after discovering his betrayal, highlighting the tension between trust and suspicion.
Characters to notice
- Sergeant Charlie Chan
Discovers Paradise's letter-steaming; recounts his misadventure with Willie Li; leads the investigation into missing women.
- Barry Kirk
Hosts Chan at breakfast; learns about Paradise's betrayal; attends the interview at the Globe office.
- June Morrow
Arranges and conducts the interview with Eileen Enderby; reads the clipping about Jennie Jerome.
- Captain Flannery
Frustrated by the missing women cases; insists on focusing on Sir Frederic's murder.
- Eileen Enderby
Interviewed about Jennie Jerome; initially omits a key point but returns with her husband to confess.
- Carrick Enderby
Insists his wife tell the full truth; accompanies her to the interview.
- Bill Rankin
Summoned by Chan to the bungalow; joins the group at the Globe office.
- Paradise
Revealed to have steamed open a letter from Scotland Yard; under watch by Chan and Kirk.
Key passages
“I made slight sally into Chinatown.”
Chan made a brief trip to Chinatown.
Chan recounts his unsuccessful visit to Chinatown.
“I encounter Chinese boy scout panting to do good turn, and he does me one of the worst I ever suffered.”
Chan met a Chinese boy scout eager to help, but his assistance backfired.
Chan describes Willie Li's misguided attempt to help.
“Too bad best servant in world has weakness for steaming open letters.”
It's unfortunate that the world's best servant has a habit of opening letters with steam.
Chan reveals Paradise's indiscretion to Kirk.
“The Port of Missing Women—and I thought I was running just an ordinary office building.”
Barry Kirk remarks that his building seems to be a gathering place for missing women.
Kirk's ironic comment on the recurring theme of missing women.
“On one side of our puzzle, at least, light is beginning to break. This last story illuminates darkness.”
Chan says that the latest story sheds light on one aspect of the mystery.
Chan hints at a breakthrough after hearing Eileen Enderby's account.
