The Crimson Circle · Chapter
Mr. Marl Goes Out explained
Felix Marl takes Thalia Drummond to dinner and the theater, then brings her back to his house for supper.
What happens
Felix Marl takes Thalia Drummond to dinner and the theater, then brings her back to his house for supper. When she tries to leave, he locks the door and attempts to force himself on her, but she threatens him with a Mills bomb and escapes. Meanwhile, burglar 'Flush' Barnet searches Marl's house for money, is caught by Inspector Parr, and Marl is found dead in his locked bedroom with a Crimson Circle mark on the door.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Punishment
Barnet's burglary and arrest, Marl's murder, and the Crimson Circle's threat illustrate crime and its consequences.
Power and Control
Marl attempts to control Thalia through physical force, but she reverses the power dynamic with the grenade.
Deception and Identity
Marl's artificial appearance and Barnet's hidden identity as a burglar highlight themes of deception.
Characters to notice
- Felix Marl
Hosts Thalia for dinner and theater, attempts to assault her, later found dead in his bedroom.
- Thalia Drummond
Dines with Marl, defends herself with a Mills bomb, escapes his house.
- Mr. Barnet
Burgles Marl's house, is arrested by Inspector Parr outside the garden gate.
- Mr. Parr
Leads the police to arrest Barnet, discovers Marl's dead body and the Crimson Circle mark.
Key passages
“I want you ‘Flush,’ said a well-remembered voice. “Inspector Parr. You may remember me?””
Parr arrests Barnet by name, revealing he knew the burglar's identity.
Parr's surprise capture of Barnet outside Marl's house.
“She had produced a small, black, egg-shaped thing, and with a flick of her left hand had pulled out a small pin and dropped the pin on to the table. He knew what it was—he had dabbled in army supplies and had seen many Mills bombs.”
Thalia threatens Marl with a hand grenade, forcing him to unlock the door.
Thalia's use of a Mills bomb to escape Marl's assault.
“Break in the door, said Parr, breathing heavily. For five minutes they smashed at a panel before they finally hammered it through, and the sleeper within gave no sign of consciousness.”
Parr and his men break into Marl's locked bedroom and find him dead.
Discovery of Marl's corpse after the Crimson Circle mark is seen on the door.