A Funeral explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Loyalty and Betrayal

  John's loyalty to Elzevir is tested by the warrant and Ratsey's warnings; Grace's loyalty to John is shown by her refusal to sign the hue-and-cry.

• Greed and Its Consequences

  The legend of Blackbeard's diamond illustrates how greed leads to ruin and hidden treasure.

• Revenge and Justice

  Maskew's death and the village's hatred of him raise questions about justice and revenge.

Characters to notice

• John Trenchard

  Hiding in the cave with Ratsey, learning of the warrant for his arrest and the fate of Moonfleet.

• Ratsey

  Brings news of the aftermath of Maskew's death, the sealed inn, and Grace's lonely vigil; also shows John the hue-and-cry warrant.

• Grace Maskew

  Left alone after her father's death, refuses to sign the hue-and-cry, and speaks well of John.

• Elzevir Block

  In hiding, suspected of Maskew's murder; discusses the legend of Blackbeard's diamond and plans an escape.

• Mr. Maskew

  His funeral is described; the village despises him and only his daughter mourns.

• Reverend Mr. Glennie

  Waits in the church for Maskew's funeral, though the crowd outside is hostile.

Key passages

• “Yes, yes, it is a sad breakup, and what will happen to the old Why Not? I cannot tell. None have passed the threshold since you left, only the Duchy men came and sealed the doors, making it felony to force them.”

  Ratsey tells John that the Why Not? inn is sealed by the Duchy men and no one has entered since John left.

  Ratsey updates John on the state of the inn after the gang's breakup.

• “But I am sorriest for Maskew’s girl, who grows thin and pale as any lily. For when the soldiers brought the body back, the men stood at their doors and cursed the clay, and some of the fishwives spat at it; and old Mother Veitch, who kept house for him, swore he had never paid her a penny of wages, and that she was afear’d to stop under the same roof with such an evil corpse.”

  Ratsey expresses pity for Grace, who is left alone and shunned after her father's body is brought back.

  Highlights Grace's isolation and the village's hatred of Maskew.

• “And when they took the hue-and-cry papers to the Manor House for his lass, as next of kin, to sign the requisition, she would not set her name to it, saying that Block had never lifted his hand against her father when they met at Moonfleet or on the road, and that she never would believe he was the man to let his anger sleep so long and then attack an enemy in cold blood.”

  Grace refuses to sign the hue-and-cry warrant because she believes Elzevir is not capable of cold-blooded murder.

  Shows Grace's loyalty and her belief in Elzevir's innocence.

• “And as for thee, she knew thee for a trusty lad, who would not do such things himself, nor yet stand by whilst others did them.”

  Grace speaks well of John, calling him a trustworthy young man who would not commit murder or allow others to do so.

  John is heartened by Grace's good opinion of him.

• “Now, why this Colonel John Mohune, whom we call Blackbeard, should have chosen a well at all to hide his jewel in, I cannot say; but given he chose a well, ’twas odds he would choose Carisbrooke. ’Tis a known place, and I have heard that people come as far as from London to see the castle and this well.”

  Elzevir deduces that Blackbeard's diamond is likely hidden in the well at Carisbrooke Castle, a famous landmark.

  Elzevir connects the legend to a specific location, advancing the treasure hunt.