# Chapter II explained — Continental Op Stories

> Chapter companion for Continental Op Stories by Dashiell Hammett.

## What happens

The Continental Op investigates a second shooting at the Exon house, where Barbra Caywood is killed and Exon is wounded. He searches the grounds, finds the revolver, but the murderer escapes. He interviews Deputy Sheriff Shand and learns little. He observes flirtation between Hilary Gallaway and the nurse, and notes tensions with Gallaway's wife.

## Themes in this chapter

### Violence and Survival

The second shooting results in Barbra Caywood's death and Exon is wounded again, highlighting the violent threat to the household.

### Deception and Identity

The Op questions the nurse's background and the flirtation between Hilary Gallaway and Barbra Caywood suggests hidden motives.

## Character check-ins

### The Continental Op

Investigates the second shooting, searches the grounds, interviews Shand, and observes interactions between Hilary Gallaway and Barbra Caywood.

### Hilary Gallaway

Returns from town after the shooting, is sent to pursue the murderer, and is later seen flirting with the nurse Barbra Caywood.

### Barbra Caywood

The nurse who is shot and killed in the second attack. Previously seen flirting with Hilary Gallaway.

### Jacob Ledwich

Referred to as Exon; the invalid who is shot again in this chapter.

### Shand

Deputy sheriff who investigates the first shooting and provides background on the Exon family and Hilary Gallaway.

### Dr. Rench

The doctor attending Exon; he reports that the setback from the shooting is not serious.

## Key lines

> Suddenly down the hall came the heavy explosion of a gun being fired indoors! I threw myself across the room, out into the hall. A woman’s voice filled the house with its shriek—high, frenzied.

A gunshot rang out inside the house, and the Op rushed into the hall to find a woman screaming.

_The second shooting occurs, leading to the death of Barbra Caywood._

> I don’t know whether I went through, over, or around the screen that stood in the connecting doorway. I was circling Exon’s bed. He lay on the floor on his side, facing a window.

The Op moved frantically through the connecting door to find Exon on the floor near the window.

_The Op's urgent response to the shooting._

> Shand scratched his head thoughtfully and frowned. 'I reckon it’s Hilary Gallaway you’re meaning,' he said slowly.

Shand guessed the Op was asking about Hilary Gallaway, implying suspicion.

_Shand provides background on Hilary Gallaway's character and habits._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/continental_op_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters