Blind Corner · Chapter
VII: Rose Noble Moves explained
Mansel analyzes the threat posed by the tanner who spied on them, deducing he may inform the innkeeper and lead the thieves to their hiding place.
What happens
Mansel analyzes the threat posed by the tanner who spied on them, deducing he may inform the innkeeper and lead the thieves to their hiding place. The group continues their work, shoring up a bulging tunnel and bringing in supplies. Mansel visits the inn at Lerai, learning the landlord's wife believes her husband has thrown in his lot with the thieves. Chandos returns to the dungeon to find Rose Noble has taken possession, having come up the well. Rose Noble attempts to force Chandos to reveal their plans, threatening torture, but Chandos refuses. A struggle ensues in the dark when Rose Noble's torch goes out, and Chandos flees up the ramp, only to be cornered as Rose Noble descends to admit Ellis and Job.
Themes in this chapter
Survival and Endurance
The characters are engaged in a physical and psychological struggle for survival, working tirelessly to fortify their position and facing direct threats to their lives.
Deception and Disguise
The group operates in secret, hiding in a dungeon and using the inn as a cover. Mansel's visit to the inn involves a degree of deception to gather information.
Loyalty and Betrayal
Chandos's refusal to betray his comrades in the face of torture highlights the theme of loyalty, while the tanner's potential betrayal of their location underscores the constant threat of treachery.
Characters to notice
- Richard William Chandos
Narrator of the chapter. He is captured by Rose Noble and threatened, but refuses to betray his comrades. He manages to escape in the dark but is trapped when Rose Noble goes to admit Ellis and Job.
- Jonathan Mansel
Provides a strategic analysis of the tanner's potential actions and the need to visit the inn. He later visits Lerai and gathers information from the landlord's wife.
- Rose Noble
Takes possession of the dungeon after coming up the well. He confronts Chandos, attempting to force information from him with threats of violence.
- Carson Hanbury
Mentioned as accompanying Mansel on a visit to the track below the combe and as being part of the leadership that 'does the sums'.
- Ellis
Mentioned as being expected to come up the shoot with Job, which would seal Chandos's fate.
- Job
Mentioned as being expected to come up the shoot with Ellis.
Key passages
“A great deal is depending on how much the tanner saw. If he saw two come in the car, the presence of a third must have told him that we have some hiding-place hereabouts: if he saw the relief carrying timber, that should have made him think: but, if he saw the boat cross the river, he must know a damned sight too much.”
Mansel explains that the tanner's knowledge is critical; seeing the third person, the timber, or the boat would reveal their hidden base.
Mansel's strategic assessment of the threat posed by the tanner.
“I’ve taken possession here, and here I stay : so long as I stay, Mansel will remain outside: he’s very welcome to get up that drain—if he can; but, short of the ladder, I don’t believe he’ll try.”
Rose Noble declares he has control of the dungeon and believes Mansel will not risk coming up the drain without a ladder.
Rose Noble's declaration of control and his assessment of Mansel's likely actions.
“In return, I offer you a painless captivity, a hell of a lot of hard work, and a free pass-out three days after we touch.”
Rose Noble offers Chandos a deal: a comfortable imprisonment and freedom after they complete their objective, in exchange for information.
Rose Noble's attempt to negotiate with Chandos.
“You say you’re not going to talk,” he continued presently. “Well, there’s your right eye gone . I don’t set up for a surgeon, but my hand don’t always shake, and an inch of red-hot wire makes a nice, clean job.”
Rose Noble threatens to blind Chandos with a red-hot wire if he refuses to talk.
Rose Noble's brutal threat to extract information from Chandos.
