# X: The Trial explained — The Council of Justice

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

## What happens

The Red Hundred, led by the Woman of Gratz, conducts a trial for one of the men who killed Starque and François. The prisoner, who is revealed to be Jessen, the public executioner of England, calmly admits to killing Starque and many others. He is released after revealing his identity, and the Red Hundred's power is broken. Meanwhile, Scotland Yard observes the exodus of Red Hundred members from London.

## Themes in this chapter

### Vigilante Justice vs. Legal System

The Red Hundred conducts its own trial and judgment outside the legal system, while Jessen acts as a state executioner, blurring the lines between official and vigilante justice.

### Moral Ambiguity of Right and Wrong

Jessen admits to killing many people with a grave sense of responsibility, and the Woman of Gratz is torn between her desire for vengeance and her personal obsession with the enemy.

### Public Opinion and Media Influence

The Red Hundred's open trial and the police's hands-off approach reflect the influence of public perception and the fear of inciting a larger conflict.

## Character check-ins

### The Woman of Gratz

Presides over the trial of Jessen, displaying oratory and leadership, but is internally conflicted by her obsession with the masked man.

### Mr. Jessen

Captured and put on trial by the Red Hundred; reveals himself as the public executioner of England and is released.

### Magnus the Jew

Identifies Jessen as being of the lower orders by his speech.

### Herr Schmidt

Brings news of Jessen's capture to the Woman of Gratz and cuts his bonds during the trial.

### Superintendent Falmouth

Reports on the departure of Red Hundred members from London and discusses the capture of Jessen with the Commissioner.

### Rudulph Starque

Mentioned as having been killed by Jessen on authority.

### François

Mentioned as having been killed by Jessen on authority.

## Key lines

> As to the Red Hundred—I do not know; but I have killed many people.

Jessen admits to killing many people but does not specify if they were members of the Red Hundred.

_Shows Jessen's calm acceptance of his actions and his lack of concern for the specific identities of his victims._

> In Russia they called me Father Kopab.

Jessen reveals his alias from Russia, which causes fear among the Russian attendees.

_Highlights Jessen's fearsome reputation and the power of his identity within revolutionary circles._

> I killed Starque by authority. François also. Some day I shall also—

Jessen claims he killed Starque and François under official authority and implies he will kill others.

_Demonstrates his role as an executioner and his threat to the Red Hundred leadership._

> Arrest them! ... You wouldn't think of arresting 'em, would you? No, you'd just sit down quietly out of their reach and be happy when the last little red leg has disappeared round the corner!

The Commissioner compares the Red Hundred to driver ants, advising against arresting them and instead waiting for them to leave.

_Illustrates the police's strategy of non-intervention and the perceived danger of confronting the Red Hundred directly._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_council_of_justice_se/chapters/x-the-trial
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_council_of_justice_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_council_of_justice_se/chapters