# XIII: Progress Goes "Betune" explained — Continental Op Stories

> Chapter companion for Continental Op Stories by Dashiell Hammett.

## What happens

In the rain-soaked plaza, the Continental Op and Lionel Grantham meet with revolutionaries awaiting Colonel Einarson's arrival. A thin young man speaks rapidly in an unknown language, and a translator reports that the artillery has betrayed them, with guns being mounted to sweep the plaza at daybreak. Grantham's calm reply—'We can die'—inspires a strange warmth in the Op. Einarson's troops arrive, an officer announces 'this progress goes betune,' and the crowd cheers. Einarson escorts Grantham and the Op to the Administration Building amid a theatrical, celebratory atmosphere.

## Themes in this chapter

### Violence and Survival

The threat of artillery sweeping the plaza and Grantham's fatalistic 'We can die' highlight the precariousness of life amid revolutionary violence.

### Loyalty and Betrayal

The artillery's betrayal of the revolutionaries introduces a theme of shifting allegiances and trust in the midst of conflict.

## Character check-ins

### The Continental Op

Observes the revolutionary gathering with a detective's eye, feeling an unexpected emotional lift from Grantham's words.

### Lionel Grantham

Remains calm and dignified amid the chaos, uttering 'We can die' with gentle resolve, and is treated with respect by the revolutionaries.

### Colonel Einarson

Arrives with his troops, smelling of victory, and escorts Grantham and the Op to the Administration Building.

## Key lines

> He says the artillery has betrayed us, and guns are being mounted in the government buildings to sweep the plaza at daybreak.

The translator reports that the artillery forces have switched sides and are positioning guns to fire on the plaza at dawn.

_Conveys the immediate danger and the sense of betrayal among the revolutionaries._

> We can die.

Grantham calmly accepts the possibility of death as a response to the hopeless situation.

_Highlights Grantham's stoic courage and the theatrical, almost romantic, tone of the scene._

> Colonel Einarson's respects, Mister, and this progress goes betune.

An officer delivers Einarson's message that the revolution's progress is proceeding as planned.

_The phrase 'goes betune' is likely a mispronunciation or translation of 'goes between' or 'goes well,' adding a touch of linguistic confusion._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/xiii-progress-goes-betune
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/continental_op_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters