# The Secret Preparations explained — Room 13

> Chapter companion for Room 13 by Edgar Wallace.

## What happens

Emanuel Legge prepares for a dinner party at the Highlow Club, inspecting the secret furnace and engraving operations, and ensuring the club is closed to other members.

## Themes in this chapter

### Crime and Punishment

The chapter details the mechanics of a counterfeiting operation and the disposal of evidence.

### Power and Control

Emanuel Legge exerts control over the club and its secret operations, orchestrating events.

### Fatherhood and Protection

Emanuel's pride in Jeffrey's cleverness and his protective oversight of the operation.

## Character check-ins

### Emanuel Legge

Inspects the furnace and engraving room, prepares for the dinner party.

### Jeff Legge

Referenced as the boss and the apple of Emanuel's eye; his desk and plans are central.

### Pietro

Tends the furnace in the basement, capable of destroying evidence.

### Lacey

Engraver working on counterfeit plates in the secret room.

### Stevens

Porter at the Highlow Club, questions the closure of rooms.

### Fernando

Head waiter, informed about the dinner arrangements.

## Key lines

> The boss said the furnace was to be kept going for a week,” said Pietro complainingly. “That’s pretty tough on me, Mr. Legge. I feel sometimes I’d nearly die, the heat’s so terrible.”

Pietro complained that the furnace had to run continuously for a week, making the heat unbearable.

_Highlights the extreme conditions for destroying evidence._

> What a mind!” said the admiring Lacey. “It reduces risk to what I might term a minimum. It is a pleasure working for Jeff, Mr. Legge. He takes no chances.”

Lacey praised Jeff's clever design that minimized risk by allowing quick disposal of incriminating materials.

_Shows the admiration for Jeff's criminal ingenuity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/room_13_se/chapters/xxv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/room_13_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/room_13_se/chapters