# VI: The Man from Devil’s Island explained — The Dain Curse

> Chapter companion for The Dain Curse by Dashiell Hammett.

## What happens

The narrator and his companions arrive at the Leggett home to find Owen Fitzstephan, who reveals that Edgar Leggett has committed suicide. In the laboratory, the police and Mrs. Leggett are present, and the narrator reads Leggett's confession letter aloud. The letter reveals Leggett's true identity as Maurice de Mayenne, an escaped convict from Devil's Island, who murdered his first wife, fled, and later killed a blackmailer named Ruppert before taking his own life.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Illusion

Edgar Leggett's entire life is built on false identities—Maurice de Mayenne, Walter Martin, Edgar Leggett—hiding his past as a murderer and escapee.

### Crime and Detection

The chapter revolves around a suicide, a confession letter detailing multiple murders, and the police investigation into Leggett's affairs.

### The Curse and Fate

Leggett's confession reveals a pattern of inescapable fate: his past crimes and blackmailers repeatedly catch up with him, leading to his suicide.

## Character check-ins

### The Narrator

Arrives at the Leggett home after an accident, learns of Leggett's suicide, and reads the confession letter aloud.

### Owen Fitzstephan

Opens the door, informs the narrator of Leggett's suicide, and assists with Gabrielle.

### Eric Collinson

Arrives with a bloody face, tries to shield Gabrielle from the scene, and is forced to stay by the police.

### Gabrielle Leggett

Brought into the laboratory, appears drugged but begins to show awareness of her surroundings.

### Mrs. Leggett

Sitting in the laboratory, sobbing quietly into a handkerchief.

### O'Gar

Police detective present in the laboratory, reviewing papers and allowing the narrator to read the confession.

### Pat Reddy

Standing with O'Gar at the window, involved in the investigation.

### Edgar Leggett

Found dead at the laboratory table, having committed suicide, with a confession letter detailing his past as Maurice de Mayenne.

## Key lines

> After some delay—I had to ring twice—the Leggetts’ door was opened by Owen Fitzstephan.

The narrator rang twice before Owen Fitzstephan answered the door.

_Sets the scene for the arrival at the Leggett home._

> Leggett’s committed suicide.

Fitzstephan whispers that Edgar Leggett has killed himself.

_Key revelation that drives the chapter's action._

> My name is Maurice Pierre de Mayenne. I was born in Fécamp, department of Seine-Inférieure, France, on March 6, 1883, but was chiefly educated in England.

The confession begins with Leggett revealing his true identity and background.

_Establishes Leggett's hidden past as a French convict._

> I am not going back to Devil’s Island.

Leggett states his determination to avoid returning to the penal colony.

_Explains his motive for suicide rather than facing capture._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters/vi-the-man-from-devil-s-island
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dain_curse_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters