Room 13 · Chapter
XI explained
Emanuel Legge visits Mr.
What happens
Emanuel Legge visits Mr. J. G. Reeder at his home in Brockley, attempting to bribe him with money to drop an investigation into his son Jeffrey's counterfeiting activities. Reeder, a secret service agent, reveals he knows Legge's financial details and orchestrated the meeting to confront him, ultimately dismissing Legge without accepting the bribe.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Punishment
Emanuel Legge, an ex-convict, attempts to bribe a secret service agent to avoid punishment for his son's counterfeiting activities.
Deception and Identity
Mr. Reeder presents himself as a poor, weary man but is actually a shrewd investigator; Emanuel Legge feigns innocence and virtue.
Fatherhood and Protection
Emanuel Legge's visit is motivated by a desire to protect his son Jeffrey from legal consequences.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Reeder
Revealed as a secret service agent living in Brockley; he skillfully deflects Emanuel Legge's bribe attempt and demonstrates his knowledge of Legge's finances.
- Emanuel Legge
Visits Mr. Reeder to bribe him and protect his son Jeffrey; he is outmaneuvered and dismissed.
- Jeff Legge
Mentioned as Emanuel's son and the subject of the counterfeiting investigation.
Key passages
“Infighting is not much worse than hugging”
Direct confrontation is no more dangerous than embracing the problem.
Emanuel Legge's philosophy on facing challenges head-on.
“set a 'brief' to catch a thief”
Use a counterfeit note to trap a counterfeiter.
Mr. Reeder recalls his predecessor's saying about using criminals' methods against them.