# In Which Count Zadowa Is Introduced to Alice in Wonderland explained — The Black Gang

> Chapter companion for The Black Gang by H. C. McNeile.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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