Kate Plus 10 · Chapter
XIX: Michael Developed a Fondness for the Criminal Classes explained
Michael, manacled and lying on the floor of the engine house, is tended by Kate, who confesses her love and reveals the gang's methods.
What happens
Michael, manacled and lying on the floor of the engine house, is tended by Kate, who confesses her love and reveals the gang's methods. Dr. Garon prepares to inject Michael with a fatal dope, but Detective-Sergeant Barr arrives, knocks out the doctor, and frees Michael. The gang escapes on the engine, which later crashes into a goods train and explodes, killing them. Michael resigns from Scotland Yard, claiming his work was sapping his moral qualities, and marries Kate.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Morality
Michael's fondness for the criminal classes and his resignation highlight the moral ambiguity of his role as a detective.
Love and Romance
Kate and Michael confess their love, and Kate's betrayal of the gang is motivated by her feelings for him.
Loyalty and Betrayal
Kate betrays the gang to save Michael, while Barr's loyalty enables the rescue.
Characters to notice
- Michael Pretherston
Manacled and awaiting execution, he is rescued by Barr, then resigns from the police to marry Kate.
- Kate Westhanger
Tends to Michael, confesses her love, and reveals the gang's methods; later escapes to France as Kate Pretherston.
- The Doctor
Dr. Garon attempts to inject Michael with a fatal dope but is knocked out by Barr.
- Barr
Detective-Sergeant Barr rescues Michael by knocking out Dr. Garon and freeing him from manacles.
- Commissioner T. B. Smith
Informs Michael that the gang's engine crashed and exploded; accepts Michael's resignation.
- Señor Gregori
Leads the gang's escape on the engine; presumed dead in the crash.
Key passages
“I hope they kill you first... only I want to make sure that you're gone and nobody else can have you—and then I shan't care.”
Kate expresses a possessive love, wanting Michael to die before her so she can be certain no one else will have him.
Reveals Kate's intense, jealous love and her acceptance of their impending death.
“I found, sir, that I was developing a fondness for the criminal classes.”
Michael explains his resignation by saying he was growing too sympathetic toward criminals.
Ironic conclusion highlighting the moral conflict at the heart of the story.