# III: Jessen, Alias Long explained — The Council of Justice

> Chapter companion for The Council of Justice by Edgar Wallace.

## What happens

Charles Garret, a reporter for the Megaphone, initially refuses a dangerous assignment to contact the Four Just Men but later independently seeks out his informant, Mr. Jessen (alias Long), in Presley Street. Jessen runs a secret guild for reformed criminals, giving them better tools and techniques. Charles suggests the Four Just Men might approach Jessen for help, but Jessen dismisses the idea. Shortly after, Jessen disappears, leaving a note claiming the Four Just Men have taken him, causing alarm at the Home Office and Scotland Yard.

## Themes in this chapter

### Public Opinion and Media Influence

The Megaphone editor desires an 'inspired manifesto' from the Four Just Men; the press sensationalizes Jessen's disappearance.

### Class, Corruption, and Criminality

Jessen's guild critiques the criminal justice system and offers criminals better tools; Falk laments police harassment of ex-cons.

### Intelligence and Cunning as Weapons

Charles uses deception to undertake his own investigation; Jessen's physical and strategic skills command respect among criminals.

## Character check-ins

### Charles Garret

Star reporter for the Megaphone; feigns fear of the Four Just Men but secretly visits Jessen to gather information.

### Mr. Jessen

Alias Mr. Long; runs a criminal reform guild from Presley Street; a key informant for Charles; later disappears, reportedly taken by the Four Just Men.

### Falk

Flashy, ring-wearing criminal at Jessen's gathering; boasts about his strength and criminal record.

### Ike

Former snide merchant (counterfeiter) reformed by Jessen; mentioned as an example of Jessen's work.

## Key lines

> What I should like,' said the editor of the Megaphone, wistfully, 'is a sort of official propaganda from the Four—a sort of inspired manifesto that we could spread into six columns.'

The editor wishes the Four Just Men would release an official statement for the newspaper to publish.

_Highlights the media's desire for direct engagement with the vigilantes._

> I've come to consult you,' said Charles. A lesser man than Mr. Long might have been grossly flippant, but this young man—he was thirty-five, but looked older—did not descend to such a level.

Charles visits Jessen for information, and Jessen responds seriously despite his youth.

_Establishes Jessen's maturity and the respect Charles has for him._

> Mr. Long being necessary for our purpose, we have taken him. The Four Just Men.

A note left behind claims the Four Just Men have abducted Jessen.

_Key plot point: Jessen's disappearance is attributed to the Four Just Men, causing official alarm._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_council_of_justice_se/chapters/iii-jessen-alias-long
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_council_of_justice_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_council_of_justice_se/chapters