# III: Something Black explained — The Dain Curse

> Chapter companion for The Dain Curse by Dashiell Hammett.

## What happens

The narrator reconnects with Owen Fitzstephan, who shares his observations about the enigmatic Edgar Leggett and his family. Fitzstephan describes Leggett as secretive and decadent, and Gabrielle as odd and hostile toward her father. The narrator later visits Rhino Tingley and witnesses Gabrielle leaving Minnie Hershey's building. He then travels to interview Mrs. Begg, Leggett's former housekeeper, who reveals that Leggett's sister-in-law Alice Dain and her daughter Gabrielle arrived unexpectedly in 1923, and that Leggett later married Alice.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Illusion

Fitzstephan emphasizes Leggett's secretive nature and the difficulty of learning anything definite about him, suggesting hidden truths.

### Family and Dysfunction

Gabrielle's hatred for her father, Leggett's worship of her, and the sudden arrival of the Dains highlight familial tension and secrets.

## Character check-ins

### The Narrator

Reunites with Fitzstephan, investigates Leggett's background, and observes Gabrielle leaving Minnie's building.

### Owen Fitzstephan

Describes Leggett as secretive and decadent; shares his curiosity about the Leggett family.

### Gabrielle Leggett

Seen leaving Minnie Hershey's building; described by Fitzstephan as odd and hating her father.

### Rhino Tingley

The narrator observes him in a cigar store and later confronts him on the street.

### Mrs. Begg

Former housekeeper of Leggett; provides details about the arrival of Alice Dain and Gabrielle in 1923.

### Edgar Leggett

Described as secretive, ascetic, and decadent; his past is probed through Fitzstephan and Mrs. Begg.

### Alice Dain

Leggett's sister-in-law who arrived with Gabrielle in 1923 and later married Leggett.

## Key lines

> I asked. “Gabrielle’s cuckoo, isn’t she?” “I wonder.” Fitzstephan looked curiously at me. “Are you saying that carelessly, or do you really think she’s off?”

The narrator asks if Gabrielle is insane, and Fitzstephan questions whether the narrator is speaking casually or genuinely believes she is mentally unstable.

_The conversation explores Gabrielle's mental state and the ambiguity surrounding her behavior._

> “She hates her father. He worships her.” “How come the hate?” “I don’t know; perhaps because he worships her.”

Fitzstephan states that Gabrielle hates her father, who adores her, and suggests the hatred may stem from his excessive devotion.

_Highlights the dysfunctional relationship between Gabrielle and Edgar Leggett._

> “I’ve told you what I know and what I imagine, and none of it is definite. That’s the point—in a year of trying I’ve learned nothing definite about Leggett.”

Fitzstephan admits that despite a year of effort, he has gathered no concrete information about Leggett, underscoring the man's secrecy.

_Emphasizes the theme of deception and the difficulty of uncovering the truth about Leggett._

> Mrs. Begg said she doubted whether she could tell me anything that would pay me for my trip from the city, but she was willing to do what she could, being an honest woman and having nothing to conceal from anybody.

Mrs. Begg expresses skepticism about being helpful but agrees to cooperate, asserting her honesty and lack of secrets.

_Establishes Mrs. Begg as a reliable source of information about the Leggett household._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters/iii-something-black
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dain_curse_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters