# II explained — The Great Impersonation

> Chapter companion for The Great Impersonation by E. Phillips Oppenheim.

## What happens

Von Ragastein reveals his plan to assume Sir Everard Dominey's identity and return to England as a spy. He drugs Dominey and sends him into the bush with a faulty compass and salted provisions, ensuring he will not survive or return to interfere.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Impersonation

Von Ragastein plans to assume Dominey's identity, using their physical resemblance and Dominey's personal history to infiltrate English society.

### Espionage and National Loyalty

Von Ragastein's mission is to act as a German spy in England, preparing for the coming war.

### Madness and Memory

Dominey's wife is insane due to a shock he caused, and Dominey himself is haunted by his past, unable to return to civilization.

## Character check-ins

### Baron Leopold Von Ragastein

Reveals his plan to swap identities with Dominey and return to England as a spy.

### Sir Everard Dominey

Drugged and sent into the bush with a faulty compass and salted provisions, intended to die.

### Doctor Schmidt

Assists Von Ragastein in the plot, ensuring Dominey's whisky is drugged and his supplies are sabotaged.

## Key lines

> I am to take up my residence in England. I am to have a special mission. I am to find a place for myself there as an Englishman. The means are left to my ingenuity. Listen, Schmidt. A great idea has come to me.

Von Ragastein tells Schmidt he has been ordered to live in England on a secret mission and must pass as an Englishman; he has conceived a bold plan.

_Von Ragastein reveals his espionage assignment and the inception of his identity swap scheme._

> I shall take this Englishman's. I shall return to England as Sir Everard Dominey.

He declares his intention to assume Dominey's identity and return to England in his place.

_The core of Von Ragastein's plan: impersonating Dominey._

> He must not.

Von Ragastein insists that Dominey must not be allowed to return to England.

_Von Ragastein's cold determination to eliminate Dominey as a threat to his scheme._

> The water bottles are filled with nothing else, Herr Doctor. There is no water or soda water in the pack. One day's rations. The beef is salt. The compass is ten degrees wrong.

The orderly confirms that Dominey's supplies are sabotaged: only whisky, salty beef, and a faulty compass.

_Details of the plot to ensure Dominey perishes in the bush._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_great_impersonation_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters