The Just Men of Cordova · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The Just Men of Cordova by Edgar Wallace.
Chapter 1
Three Men of Cordova
In Cordova, Manfred, a well-dressed man of leisure, is approached by a beggar who speaks in perfect English and asks if he knows Dr. Essley. After the beggar leaves, Manfred walks through the city and meets a policeman, then encounters a tourist who reveals himself to be Poiccart. They discuss Dr. Essley's mysterious past, including his travels to Australia and disappearance. Later, Dr. Essley himself arrives at Manfred's flat, asking about the Four Just Men and expressing anger at their vigilante justice.
Chapter 2
Colonel Black, Financier
This chapter introduces Colonel J. Black and his firm Black and Gram, detailing his rise in the financial world despite skepticism from established City lords. Black cultivates a relationship with Sergeant Gurden, bribing him for protection and information, and expresses concern about Constable Fellowe's interest in his affairs, particularly regarding Fellowe's connection to Miss Sandford.
Chapter 3
III: An Adventure in Pimlico
Frank Fellowe follows Sparks and Jakobs to a house in Pimlico, where he observes a board meeting of Black's criminal enterprise. He confronts a young man about to sell his employer's secrets to Black, warns him off, and then unexpectedly accepts Black's invitation to enter the house.
Chapter 4
IV: The Men Who Sat in Judgment
Frank Fellowe confronts Colonel Black in his office, refusing a bribe and accusing him of running crooked schemes. Black traps Frank in a dark room, but the Four Just Men intervene, freeing Frank and delivering a final warning to Black.
Chapter 5
The Earl of Verlond
Colonel Black and Sir Isaac Tramber discuss their financial troubles and the need for money. Black pressures Tramber about his prospects with Lady Mary Cassilirs, the heir to Lord Verlond's fortune. Tramber, feeling virtuous, meets Lord Verlond and Lady Mary in the park, where Horace Gresham arrives and engages in a tense exchange with Tramber.
Chapter 6
The Policeman and a Lady
Frank Fellowe struggles with his dual life as a policeman and his secret mission against Black, while his romantic relationship with May Sandford reaches a crisis. May, the daughter of a millionaire, pressures Frank to leave the police force, but he refuses, citing his duty and a promise to his superior. Their confrontation ends with May breaking off the relationship, leaving Frank deeply depressed.
Chapter 7
VII: Dr. Essley Meets Man
Dr. Essley, a poisoner and specialist in death, receives a threatening letter from the Four Just Men giving him seven days to prepare for his fate. He visits the ironmaster Theodore Sandford to discuss his daughter's health, but his true purpose is to break Sandford for Colonel Black. After a confrontation with a mysterious man and a police constable, Essley realizes the Four Just Men are closing in on him.
Chapter 8
VIII: Colonel Black Has Shock
Colonel Black faces financial ruin after Mr. Sandford refuses to amalgamate. Later, a detective visits Black inquiring about Dr. Essley's identity, revealing that the real Dr. Essley died in Australia. Black, now paranoid, hides his coded ledgers and prepares for escape, arranging a meeting with Sir Isaac Tramber.
Chapter 9
Lord Verlond Gives Dinner
Lord Verlond visits the Sandford establishment and invites Colonel Black to dinner, where he also invites May Sandford. At the dinner, Lord Verlond interrogates Sir Isaac Tramber about his connection to Black, and Horace Gresham reveals his interest in Lady Mary Cassilirs. The earl gives Horace a surprising go-ahead to court Mary, despite having previously arranged for her to marry Ikey Tramber.
Chapter 10
X: A Policeman’s Business
This chapter introduces Willie Jakobs, a small-time thief and pensioner of Colonel Black, who witnessed Black rifling a dead man's pockets and has been paid for his silence. After receiving poisoned chocolates—likely from the Four Just Men—his dog dies, and he is arrested. Released, he finds his payments stopped and attempts blackmail, but is forced back to thieving. While pickpocketing a drunk man near a bus, he is caught by Constable Fellowe, who is on special duty. Meanwhile, Frank Fellowe confronts Black and May Sandford, declaring his love for May even as he threatens to arrest her. Black returns to his flat to find it searched and a seal of the Four Just Men left behind, unsettling him.
Chapter 11
XI: To Lincoln Races
Sir Isaac Tramber travels to Lincoln for the races with the Earl of Verlond and Lady Mary, reluctantly sharing a train with Horace Gresham. During the journey, Lady Mary confides her anxiety about her uncle's volatile nature, while the earl and Sir Isaac debate the merits of their horses. The conversation turns to the Four Just Men, with the earl expressing outrage at their vigilante justice.
Chapter 12
The Race
At the racecourse, Sir Isaac Tramber receives an anonymous envelope with four thousand pounds and a note urging him to pay debts, avoid Black, and work for a living, which he attributes to Lord Verlond. Horace Gresham is approached by Lord Verlond, who asks him to pull his horse Nemesis in exchange for what he desires most, but Horace refuses. The race ends in a dead heat between Nemesis and Sir Isaac's horse. Despite Horace's advice to divide, Sir Isaac, influenced by Black, insists on a runoff. Sir Isaac grows anxious after a journalist confirms Horace's horse was unlucky, but Black reassures him.
Chapter 13
XIII: Who Are the Four?
Black reveals to Sir Isaac that he has discovered the identities of three of the Four Just Men—Charles Grimburd, Wilkinson Despard, and Horace Gresham—by bribing a servant. He then takes Sir Isaac on a secretive journey to meet the discharged servant, who confirms the group's temporary inactivity. Meanwhile, Lord Verlond informs Lady Mary that her brother, long thought dead, is alive, and Black and Sir Isaac settle their debts.
Chapter 14
XIV: Willie Jakobs Tells
Colonel Black discovers a thumbprint in his secret office and deduces Willie Jakobs stole a bottle of poison. He pursues Jakobs, attempting to cajole him, but Jakobs remains hostile. Meanwhile, Gonsalez (posing as Farmer) meets with Poiccart (posing as Dr. Graille) to discuss their successful deception of Black and Tramber. Later, Jakobs is found stabbed and dies. May Sandford receives a secret note from Black and is visited by a haggard Jakobs, who warns her against Black, but she dismisses him, suspecting Frank Fellowe sent him.
Chapter 15
XV: Sir Isaac's Fears
Sir Isaac Tramber attempts to dissolve his partnership with Colonel Black, fearing exposure and the consequences of their schemes. Black threatens him with mutual destruction. Meanwhile, May Sandford reconciles with Frank Fellowe after a quarrel. Willie Jakobs dies from a stiletto wound, and Black, fearing May's testimony, visits her to ensure her silence. The police investigate Jakobs's murder, and Black senses a net closing around him.
Chapter 16
XVI: Colonel Black Meets a Just Man
Colonel Black, consumed by hatred and a desire for revenge against Sandford, attempts to poison May Sandford at her birthday dinner but fails. He flees, collides with a detective, knocks him out, and escapes by taxi. He retrieves Sir Isaac Tramber from his club and they flee together. The chapter also reveals that Dr. Essley was a fraud, and Black, having collected money, prepares to escape, but is confronted in his flat by de la Monte, a member of the Four Just Men.
Chapter 17
XVII: Justice
Black and Sir Isaac Tramber are captured by the Four Just Men and brought to a chapel transformed into a makeshift courtroom. Black is interrogated about the deaths of Fanks and others, but when Sir Isaac begins to betray him, Black shoots him and escapes. He is later arrested by Constable Fellowe, who reveals himself as Lord Francis Ledborough, an assistant-commissioner of police. Black is eventually hanged for murder.
Chapter 18
Endnotes
The endnotes provide brief annotations on references within the story, including the pricing of seats at a bullfight, the omission of a poison name from the serialized version at the author's discretion, and a slang term for a detective.
