# XIII: The “Rational Faithers” explained — The Council of Justice

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

## What happens

Gonsalez and Poiccart discuss the 'Rational Faithers,' a protest group led by Peter Sweeney, and their potential use as cover for a prison rescue plan. Gonsalez creates detailed prison plans, which are later discovered by Falmouth after a sting operation at a Gower Street boarding house. Falmouth shows the plans to the Commissioner, then informs Manfred, who reacts with calm amusement and asks to see a solicitor to make a will.

## Themes in this chapter

### Intelligence and Cunning as Weapons

Gonsalez uses the Rational Faithers as a clever cover and creates elaborate prison plans; the decoy at Gower Street demonstrates strategic deception.

### Public Opinion and Media Influence

The Rational Faithers exploit public demonstrations and chants to protest capital punishment, showing how organized opinion can be manipulated.

## Character check-ins

### Leon Gonsalez

Devises the plan to use the Rational Faithers as cover; draws detailed prison plans; orchestrates the decoy at Gower Street.

### Poiccart

Sits with Gonsalez, listens to his scheme, and comments on his cleverness.

### Superintendent Falmouth

Discovers the false-bottomed portmanteau and the prison plans; reports to the Commissioner; visits Manfred in prison.

### George Manfred

Receives a visit from Falmouth; reacts with a smile to the news of the discovered plans; decides to make a will.

### Peter Sweeney

Leader of the Rational Faithers; described as a wealthy slum landlord who funds the movement and its brass band.

## Key lines

> Come fight the gallant fight, This horror to undo; Two blacks will never make a white, Nor legal murder too.

Join the struggle to end capital punishment; two wrongs don't make a right, and state execution is just another murder.

_Gonsalez recites a chant from the Rational Faithers, mocking their simplistic anti-capital-punishment rhetoric._

> Have you ever felt a desire to draw imaginary islands? ... Because I'm going to do something like that—I feel in that mood which in little boys is eloquently described as 'trying,' and I have the inclination to annoy Scotland Yard.

Gonsalez compares his prison-plan drawing to a child's game of making imaginary maps, but his real aim is to mislead the police.

_Gonsalez's playful remark to Poiccart reveals his intention to create a decoy that will frustrate Scotland Yard._

## Links

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