# XI: The Contents of the Case explained — The Giant Raft > Chapter companion for The Giant Raft by Jules Verne. ## What happens The corpse of Torres rises to the surface due to vibrations from a cannon shot fired by the gunboat Santa Ana. Benito, who had been diving, is rescued after being attacked by a puraque. The metal case containing the document is recovered from Torres's body. Manoel insists on proper legal procedure, and the case is brought to Judge Jarriquez. When opened, the document is revealed to be a cryptogram without a key, casting doubt on its ability to prove Joam Dacosta's innocence. ## Themes in this chapter ### Deception and Truth The recovery of the cryptogram raises hopes of uncovering the truth about the Tijuco crime, but the lack of a key introduces a new layer of deception and uncertainty. ### Justice and Innocence The document is believed to be the key to proving Joam Dacosta's innocence, but the cryptogram's mystery threatens to obstruct justice. ### Mortality and Fate Torres's corpse rises and is ultimately consumed by scavengers, symbolizing the finality of death and the indifferent forces of nature. ## Character check-ins ### Benito Garral Dives to recover Torres's body, is attacked by a puraque and nearly drowns, but is revived. He is desperate to retrieve the metal case and prove his father's innocence. ### Manoel Valdez Insists on proper legal procedure when recovering the case from Torres's corpse, ensuring witnesses are present. He remains calm and rational throughout. ### Fragoso Recognizes a scar on Torres's arm and recalls witnessing a quarrel with Torres, who was a captain of the woods. He identifies the paper as the one he saw in Torres's hands. ### Torres His corpse rises to the surface due to a cannon shot. The metal case is recovered from his body. His body is later attacked by urubus and sinks again. ### Judge Jarriquez Receives the metal case from Manoel and Benito. He opens it and discovers the document is a cryptogram without a key, expressing doubt about its usefulness. ### Joam Dacosta Referenced as the father whose innocence the document is hoped to prove. His earlier claims about Torres's bargain are corroborated by the recovery of the case. ## Key lines > What was it that had happened? A purely physical phenomenon, of which the following is the explanation. The event was caused by a natural physical process, explained as follows. _Introduces the scientific explanation for the corpse's rising._ > It beats! It beats! His heart is still beating! _Manoel's exclamation upon reviving Benito._ > It is necessary that not the slightest possible doubt should exist in the mind of the magistrate! We must ensure the magistrate has no reason to doubt the evidence. _Manoel insists on proper legal procedure._ > Because this document is a cryptogram, and— We have not got the key! The document is written in code, and we lack the means to decode it. _Judge Jarriquez reveals the obstacle to proving innocence._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_giant_raft_se/chapters/xi-the-contents-of-the-case - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_giant_raft_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_giant_raft_se/chapters