# XLVI explained — Blue Hand

> Chapter companion for Blue Hand by Edgar Wallace.

## What happens

Eunice barricades herself in her cabin on the Pealigo after discovering the bolts have been removed. Digby Groat learns from the ship's captain that a wireless message has been received offering a £5,000 reward for his arrest on charges of murder and conspiracy. The captain, revealing he speaks English, negotiates with Digby for a bribe of £100,000 to ensure safe passage. Meanwhile, a warship's searchlight forces the yacht to change course. Digby eventually pays the captain a portion of the money, and the sentry outside Eunice's door is removed.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Manipulation

The captain feigns ignorance of English and then reveals his true understanding to manipulate Digby into a bribe; Digby attempts to deceive the captain about his intentions.

### Greed and Inheritance

The captain's demand for a £100,000 bribe and Digby's willingness to pay highlight the theme of greed; the reward for Digby's arrest also underscores financial motivations.

## Character check-ins

### Eunice Weldon

Barricades herself in her cabin after discovering the bolts have been removed; searches for a weapon but finds only a hairbrush and a long-handled brush.

### Digby Groat

Confronts the captain after learning of the reward for his arrest; negotiates a bribe and later pays the captain a bundle of bonds to ensure his escape.

### Jim Steele

Not directly present in this chapter, but the wireless message offering the reward is attributed to Salter & Salter, his employers.

### Mr. Salter

Mentioned as part of the firm Salter & Salter, which issued the reward for Digby's arrest.

## Key lines

> Arrest and detain Digby Groat, height five foot nine, stoutly built, complexion sallow, had small moustache but believed to have shaven. Speaks Spanish, French, Portuguese, and is a qualified surgeon and physician, believed to be travelling on the S.Y. Pealigo , No. XVM . This man is wanted on a charge of wilful murder and conspiracy; a reward of five thousand pounds will be paid by Messrs. Salter & Salter, Solicitors, of London, for his arrest and detention.

A wireless message orders the arrest of Digby Groat, describing his appearance and skills, and offers a £5,000 reward for his capture on charges of murder and conspiracy.

_This message is the catalyst for the captain's negotiation with Digby._

> I am no traitor to my salt, and I should like to serve you, but you readily understand that this would mean a terrible thing for me, if, knowing that you were wanted by the English police, I assisted you to make an escape?

The captain claims he is loyal but fears the consequences of helping a wanted man escape.

_The captain uses this as a pretext to demand a bribe._

> If I had a hundred thousand pounds, senhor, I should settle down on a plantation which I have bought and be a happy and a silent man for the rest of my life.

The captain suggests that £100,000 would allow him to retire and keep quiet about Digby's situation.

_This is the captain's explicit demand for a bribe._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters/xlvi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/blue_hand_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/blue_hand_se/chapters