The Four Just Men · Chapter
Conclusion explained
Falmouth and the Commissioner review a farewell letter from the Four Just Men, who admit to Sir Philip Ramon's death but claim it was an accident caused by Thery's bungling.
What happens
Falmouth and the Commissioner review a farewell letter from the Four Just Men, who admit to Sir Philip Ramon's death but claim it was an accident caused by Thery's bungling. Falmouth searches Ramon's town house and discovers the telephone has been destroyed by a high-voltage electrical current, leading to the realization that Ramon was electrocuted. The police raid Carnaby Street but find only a deliberate clue left by Gonsalez. The Four Just Men escape to New York, and Falmouth laments that such men could not work with the law.
Themes in this chapter
Vigilante Justice vs. Legal Systems
The Four Just Men's farewell letter justifies their actions as necessary, while the police are left powerless to bring them to justice.
Moral Ambiguity of the 'Just' Killers
The Four Just Men express regret but no hypocrisy, and Falmouth muses on the potential of having them work with the law.
Deception, Disguise, and Identity
The Four Just Men successfully evade capture by scattering and leaving false clues, such as the passage ticket and cigarette.
Characters to notice
- Detective Superintendent Falmouth
Leads the investigation, searches Portland Place, and deduces the method of Sir Philip Ramon's electrocution.
- Sir Philip Ramon
The victim; his death is revealed to have been caused by electrocution via a tampered telephone.
- Miguel Thery
Mentioned as the one who bungled the electrocution and paid the penalty.
- George Manfred
One of the Four Just Men; mentioned in the farewell letter as scattering across Europe.
- Poiccart
One of the Four Just Men; mentioned in the farewell letter.
- Leon Gonsalez
One of the Four Just Men; deliberately left a clue for the police at Carnaby Street.
Key passages
“When you receive this, we who for want of a better title call ourselves 'The Four Just Men' will be scattered throughout Europe, and there is little likelihood of your ever tracing us.”
By the time you read this, we will have dispersed across Europe and you will probably never find us.
The Four Just Men announce their escape in a letter to the police.
“Thery bungled—and paid the penalty.”
Thery made a mistake and died as a result.
The letter explains that Thery's error led to his own death.
“Think what it would mean if some time we might have these men working with us instead of against us!”
Imagine if we could have these men on our side instead of opposing us.
Falmouth expresses regret that the Four Just Men's skills are not used for lawful purposes.