# A Meeting of Mystery explained — Tarzan and the Golden Lion

> Chapter companion for Tarzan and the Golden Lion by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## What happens

In a London chophouse, Flora Hawkes meets with her confederates—Esteban Miranda, Carl Kraski, Adolph Bluber, John Peebles, and Dick Throck—to finalize plans for an expedition to Africa in search of hidden gold. Tensions flare over trust and money, with Flora insisting on retaining control of the map and directions until the group proves it has at least two thousand pounds. Esteban's jealous passion for Flora surfaces, threatening the fragile alliance.

## Themes in this chapter

### Loyalty and Betrayal

The conspirators' mutual distrust and Flora's insistence on controlling the map highlight the fragile loyalties within the group.

### Identity and Deception

Esteban's hidden jealous nature and the group's criminal intentions underscore themes of deception and hidden identities.

## Character check-ins

### Flora Hawkes

Orchestrates the meeting, demanding proof of funds and retaining the map's final directions to secure her share.

### Esteban Miranda

Jealous and possessive toward Flora, he threatens violence against any rival and reveals his volatile temper.

### Carl Kraski

A handsome former dancer and rogue, he defers to Flora's plans and is a source of Esteban's jealousy.

### Adolph Bluber

The group's treasurer, he haggles over the required two thousand pounds but eventually agrees to Flora's terms.

### John Peebles

A former pugilist, he impatiently pushes the group to action and threatens Flora if she tries to deceive them.

### Dick Throck

Another ex-prize-fighter, he reluctantly agrees to trust Flora out of necessity.

## Key lines

> I mean nothing. Miss Hawkes is right, we must all be friends, and here’s my hand on it, Kraski, as far as I am concerned.

Esteban tries to smooth over the tension by agreeing with Flora and offering a handshake to Kraski.

_Shows Esteban's attempt to maintain group unity despite his inner hostility._

> You had better promise, Flora, for I care nothing for the gold if I may not have you also.

Esteban threatens Flora, saying he values her over the treasure.

_Reveals Esteban's obsessive love and the potential for violence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_and_the_golden_lion_se/chapters/iii-a-meeting-of-mystery
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_and_the_golden_lion_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_and_the_golden_lion_se/chapters