The Black Gang · Chapter
In Which Count Zadowa Is Introduced to Alice in Wonderland explained
Hugh Drummond, after parting from Peter Darrell, is approached in Berkeley Square by the hunchback Mr.
What happens
Hugh Drummond, after parting from Peter Darrell, is approached in Berkeley Square by the hunchback Mr. Atkinson, who insists on a private conversation. Drummond reluctantly agrees, and in his study, Atkinson attempts to negotiate, revealing he knows Drummond is the leader of the Black Gang. He tries to threaten Drummond, but Drummond, recognizing Atkinson as the bomb-thrower from the previous night, flogs him with a rhinoceros-hide whip. Atkinson, humiliated and in pain, then tries a different approach, claiming the diamonds belong to a starving Russian nobleman and proposing a deal. Drummond, seeing through the hypocrisy, refuses and kicks Atkinson down the stairs, revealing his true identity as Count Zadowa.
Themes in this chapter
Disguise and Deception
Mr. Atkinson is revealed to be Count Zadowa, and he attempts to deceive Drummond with a false story about the diamonds.
Violence and Brutality
Drummond flogs Atkinson with a rhinoceros-hide whip and kicks him down the stairs, demonstrating the brutal methods of the Black Gang.
Vigilante Justice
Drummond, as the leader of the Black Gang, takes the law into his own hands, punishing Atkinson for the bombing.
Characters to notice
- Hugh Drummond
Confronts Mr. Atkinson, recognizes him as the bomb-thrower, and flogs him before kicking him out of the house.
- Mr. William Atkinson
The hunchback who confronts Drummond, attempts to negotiate for the diamonds, and is revealed to be Count Zadowa.
- Peter Darrell
Parted from Hugh at the Ritz to keep a mysterious date with a female minor star of theatrical London.
- Count Zadowa
Revealed to be the true identity of Mr. Atkinson after being kicked down the stairs.
- Reverend Theodosius Longmoor
Mentioned by both Atkinson and Drummond as the person Atkinson must report to at the Ritz.
Key passages
“I shall drop you down the stairs if you talk to me like that, you damned little microbe”
Drummond threatens to throw Atkinson down the stairs if he continues to speak disrespectfully.
Drummond's immediate physical response to Atkinson's insolence.
“So he flogged him with a rhinoceros-hide whip till his arm ached, and then he flung him into a chair, gasping, cursing, and scarcely human.”
Drummond beat Atkinson with a whip until he was exhausted and in agony, then threw him into a chair.
The brutal punishment Drummond inflicts on Atkinson for his role in the bombing.
“I prefer threats to nauseating hypocrisy.”
Drummond would rather be openly threatened than be subjected to Atkinson's insincere and false story.
Drummond's rejection of Atkinson's attempt to negotiate with a fabricated tale.