# VI: Tester Gives Tongue explained — Blind Corner

> Chapter companion for Blind Corner by Dornford Yates.

## What happens

The chapter details the establishment of three bases for the treasure hunt, the division of labor into pairs, and the routine of rotating shifts. Mansel confronts Punter and Job at the well, mocking their futile efforts. Later, while the group is at the quarry, Tester barks, alerting them to a stranger. Chandos chases the stranger but loses him, leaving the group uneasy about the encounter.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Disguise

The group uses multiple bases and a system of reliefs to conceal their true activities from locals and rivals.

### Survival and Endurance

The grueling schedule of labor in the dungeon and the constant vigilance required to avoid detection.

### Greed and Obsession

The thieves' relentless pursuit of treasure, despite Mansel's mockery of their futile efforts.

## Character check-ins

### Jonathan Mansel

Leads the operation, confronts Punter and Job, and orchestrates the base system.

### Richard William Chandos

Narrates the chapter, assists Mansel in the confrontation, and chases the stranger.

### Carson Hanbury

Stays to watch during the confrontation and rows the boat during the alarm.

### Punter

One of the thieves caught by Mansel at the well, humiliated by Mansel's taunts.

### Job

Punter's companion, also caught and dismayed by Mansel's words.

### Tester

The dog whose barking alerts the group to the stranger's presence.

## Key lines

> It was not Mansel’s way to shoot a man in the back, and, since I made sure he was gone to kill Rose Noble, I lay awaiting his challenge with my heart in my mouth.

Chandos feared Mansel might kill Rose Noble, but Mansel was not the type to shoot someone from behind, so Chandos waited anxiously for Mansel to confront him.

_Highlights Chandos's anxiety and Mansel's character._

> The cheerful tone in which Mansel delivered this dismal homily and the unpleasantly obvious pertinence of his remarks had their effect: for Punter looked ready to burst with mortification, and Job was regarding his second comforter with the fishy stare of one who perceives his fortune to be almost too repugnant to be true.

Mansel's mocking speech about the intermittent spring humiliated Punter and Job, who realized their efforts were in vain.

_Shows Mansel's psychological tactics and the thieves' despair._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/blind_corner_se/chapters/vi-tester-gives-tongue
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/blind_corner_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/blind_corner_se/chapters