# IX: Conjectures explained — Continental Op Stories

> Chapter companion for Continental Op Stories by Dashiell Hammett.

## What happens

The Continental Op questions Romaine Frankl about Vasilije Djudakovich, learning that the Minister of Police prioritizes personal comfort, which ironically makes him an effective administrator. The Op deduces that Colonel Einarson killed Mahmoud, suspecting Einarson aims to emulate the Shah of Persia by seizing power. Romaine, excited by the prospect of revolution, asks the Op to use and break Einarson for her, and the Op agrees to see what develops at a midnight meeting.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Identity

The Op and Romaine engage in a guessing game about Einarson's true intentions, and the Op conceals his own plans.

### Class and Power

Vasilije's comfort-driven leadership and Einarson's ambition to seize power reflect the dynamics of political control.

### Loyalty and Betrayal

Romaine expresses hatred for Einarson and asks the Op to use and break him, indicating shifting allegiances.

## Character check-ins

### The Continental Op

Questions Romaine about Vasilije and deduces Einarson's motives; plans to attend a midnight meeting.

### Romaine Frankl

Describes Vasilije's character and comfort-driven police efficiency; excitedly asks the Op to give her a revolution.

### Vasilije Djudakovich

Minister of Police who prioritizes comfort, leading to an effective police force; mentioned as having Mahmoud's assassin killed.

### Colonel Einarson

Suspected of killing Mahmoud; carries a worn picture of the Shah of Persia, suggesting he aims to become a dictator.

### Jack Counihan

Referred to as 'the boy' whom the Op plans to take home with all his money.

### Lionel Grantham

Mentioned as having been ambushed alongside Einarson earlier in the evening.

## Key lines

> Comfort to him means enormous amounts of food and drink and at least sixteen hours of sleep each day, and not having to move around much during his eight waking hours.

His idea of comfort is consuming large quantities of food and drink, sleeping most of the day, and remaining sedentary during his few waking hours.

_Romaine describes Vasilije's extreme laziness and its paradoxical effect on police efficiency._

> If he carries the Shah’s picture and looks at it often enough to have it shabby from handling, does it mean he hopes to follow his example? Or doesn’t it?

The worn condition of the Shah's photo suggests Einarson frequently studies it, possibly indicating he aspires to replicate the Shah's rise to power.

_The Op speculates that Einarson's possession of a worn photo of the Shah of Persia signals his dictatorial ambitions._

> Give me a revolution, nice man! ... I detest Einarson. Use him and break him for me. But give me a revolution!

Romaine passionately asks the Op to instigate a revolution, urging him to exploit and destroy Einarson for her sake.

_Romaine reveals her intense desire for political upheaval and her personal vendetta against Einarson._

## Links

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