Blue Hand · Chapter
XLIII explained
Eunice is locked in her room, realizing her peril as Digby prepares to flee by aeroplane.
What happens
Eunice is locked in her room, realizing her peril as Digby prepares to flee by aeroplane. Digby sends Silva ahead to ready the yacht and tests equipment for night flight. Fuentes confronts Digby about being left behind, and Digby suggests killing Jim, but Fuentes refuses. Meanwhile, Jim manages to free himself by breaking a window and cutting his bonds. He hears Eunice scream and, after failing to break down the door, uses a fireplace grate to smash it open. He rushes outside to see the aeroplane taking off and finds the dying Fuentes, who reveals Digby shot him. The police arrive, and Salter declares Digby will hang, but Jim has his own thoughts on Digby's fate.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Manipulation
Digby manipulates Fuentes and Silva, attempting to coerce Fuentes into murder, and ultimately betrays him by shooting him.
Crime and Justice
Fuentes' dying statement and Salter's declaration that Digby will hang highlight the pursuit of justice, though Jim foresees a different end.
Characters to notice
- Eunice Weldon
Locked in her room, terrified, and hears the aeroplane engines; her scream alerts Jim.
- Digby Groat
Frantically prepares for escape by aeroplane, dispatches Silva, tests equipment, and later shoots Fuentes when he refuses to kill Jim.
- Jim Steele
Frees himself from bonds and locked room using a broken window and fireplace grate; rushes outside to find Fuentes dying.
- Antonio Fuentes
Confronts Digby about being left behind, refuses to kill Jim, and is shot by Digby; dies giving a statement to the police.
- Felix Bronson
Occupied with the aeroplane motor and prepares signal equipment for the escape.
Key passages
“Her heart sank, and it came to her, with terrifying force, that her great trial was near at hand.”
Eunice felt a sudden, overwhelming dread that her most severe ordeal was about to begin.
Eunice realizes the immediate danger she is in.
“He shot me, señor, ... and I was his friend … I asked him to take me to safety … and he shot me!”
Fuentes gasps that Digby, his friend, shot him after he begged for help escaping.
Fuentes' dying accusation against Digby.