The Black Gang · Chapter
In Which the Home Secretary Is Taught the Foxtrot explained
Sir Bryan Johnstone reveals to Sir John Haverton the existence and operations of the Black Gang, a vigilante organization that abducts Bolshevik agitators and sends them to a remote island.
What happens
Sir Bryan Johnstone reveals to Sir John Haverton the existence and operations of the Black Gang, a vigilante organization that abducts Bolshevik agitators and sends them to a remote island. He discloses that the gang's leader is Hugh Drummond, who has been warned to disband. The chapter also covers the discovery of a criminal network at Maybrick Hall, the escape of the Reverend Theodosius Longmoor and his accomplices, and the return of the diamonds belonging to the Grand Duke Georgius. The chapter ends with a public spectacle at the Albert Hall ball where Drummond, in disguise, teaches the Home Secretary the foxtrot.
Themes in this chapter
Vigilante Justice
The Black Gang operates outside the law to combat Bolshevism, with Sir Bryan acknowledging the effectiveness of their illegal methods.
Anti-Bolshevism
The Black Gang's mission is to fight the 'Red element' in England, and the chapter details the suppression of Bolshevik agitators.
Disguise and Deception
Drummond and his men appear in black costumes at the Albert Hall ball, and the chapter reveals the secret identity of the Black Gang's leader.
Corruption of Power
The criminal organization at Maybrick Hall engages in forgery and plots against the government, showing the corrupting influence of power.
Characters to notice
- Sir Bryan Johnstone
Director of Criminal Investigation; reveals the Black Gang's activities and Drummond's involvement to the Home Secretary.
- Sir John Haverton
Home Secretary; learns of the Black Gang and the plot against his life; later becomes the target of a playful cork attack at the Albert Hall.
- Hugh Drummond
Revealed as the leader of the Black Gang; warned to disband but hints at future actions; appears at the ball in disguise.
- Inspector McIver
Investigated the island and Maybrick Hall; discovered the criminal organization and the escape of Longmoor and his accomplices.
- Reverend Theodosius Longmoor
International criminal who escaped from Maybrick Hall; suspected of murdering the Grand Duke's son and stealing the diamonds.
- Janet
Accomplice of Longmoor; escaped with him from Maybrick Hall.
- Ginger Martin
Mentioned as deceased; his widow received an anonymous payment of two thousand pounds.
Key passages
“From unofficial inquiries I had carried out we came to the conclusion that this mysterious Black Gang was a reality, and that, further, it was intimately connected with these disappearances.”
My private investigations led me to believe that the Black Gang truly existed and was behind the mysterious vanishings.
Sir Bryan explains his initial findings about the Black Gang.
“The means they adopted were undoubtedly illegal—but the results were excellent.”
Their methods were against the law, but they achieved good outcomes.
Sir Bryan acknowledges the illegality of the Black Gang's actions while approving of their results.
“It is as if the earth had opened and swallowed them.”
They vanished without a trace, as if the ground had consumed them.
Describing the complete disappearance of Longmoor and his accomplices.
“Next time—I win.”
The next encounter will end in my victory.
Drummond's quiet determination after receiving a taunting note from his adversary.
