# III: “A Sleek Kitten That Dame!” explained — Continental Op Stories

> Chapter companion for Continental Op Stories by Dashiell Hammett.

## What happens

The Continental Op and Detective Sergeant O'Gar investigate the Gantvoort murder. A porter finds Gantvoort's missing shoe, collar buttons, and a key wrapped in a newspaper. They interview lawyer Murray Abernathy, who reveals Gantvoort planned to secretly marry Creda Dexter, leaving half his estate to her, but the new will was unsigned. They then visit Creda Dexter, a feline woman whose pupils betray fear when asked about her brother Madden. The Op suspects Creda may know more, but her motive is weak since the old will disinherits her. Telegrams reveal the names on Gantvoort's list are untraceable.

## Themes in this chapter

### Crime and Detection

The chapter focuses on the investigation of Gantvoort's murder, with clues like the shoe, collar buttons, and key, and interviews with witnesses.

### Deception and Identity

Creda Dexter's feline demeanor and evasive answers, along with the unsigned will and false addresses, highlight deception and hidden identities.

### Class and Power

The Gantvoort estate of $1.5 million and the conflict over inheritance reveal class and power dynamics, with the unsent will at the center of motive.

## Character check-ins

### The Continental Op

Leads the investigation, interviews Abernathy and Creda Dexter, sends telegrams to trace Bonfils.

### Detective Sergeant O'Gar

Works with the Op, examines the found items, describes Creda as a 'sleek kitten.'

### Creda Dexter

Gantvoort's fiancée, a catlike woman with restless pupils; claims ignorance of threats and Bonfils, but shows fear when asked about her brother.

### Charles Gantvoort

Murder victim; planned to marry Creda secretly and leave her half his estate, but the new will was unsigned.

### Madden Dexter

Creda's brother, opposed to the marriage, sent to New York on business; his whereabouts are uncertain.

## Key lines

> A sleek kitten—that dame! Rub her the right way, and she’ll purr pretty. Rub her the wrong way—and look out for the claws!

O'Gar describes Creda Dexter as a dangerous, catlike woman who seems gentle but can be vicious if provoked.

_O'Gar's assessment of Creda's deceptive and potentially dangerous nature._

> There’d be no sense in her working herself out of that three-quarters of a million berries.

The Op reasons that Creda had no motive to kill Gantvoort because the unsigned will meant she would inherit nothing under the old will.

_The Op's logical deduction about Creda's lack of financial motive for the murder._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/iii-a-sleek-kitten-that-dame
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/continental_op_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters