# XVI: Colonel Black Meets a Just Man explained — The Just Men of Cordova

> Chapter companion for The Just Men of Cordova by Edgar Wallace.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Justice and Vigilantism

The Four Just Men continue their pursuit of Black, with de la Monte confronting him directly.

### Deception and Identity

Dr. Essley is exposed as a fraud who assumed a dead man's identity; Black's own disguises and aliases are highlighted.

### Wealth and Greed

Black collects money to which he has no legal right, planning to flee the country.

## Character check-ins

### Colonel J. Black

Attempts to poison May Sandford, flees after the attempt fails, and is later confronted by de la Monte.

### May Sandford

The target of Black's poisoning attempt at her birthday dinner; she drinks the poisoned champagne but survives.

### Mr. Theodore Sandford

Hosts the birthday dinner for his daughter May; Black's intended victim for revenge.

### Ikey Tramber

Retrieved by Black from the Junior Turf Club and forced to flee with him.

### Dr. Essley

Revealed to be a fraudulent practitioner who assumed a dead man's identity; Black had helped him establish his practice.

### Mr. de la Monte

Confronts Black in his flat, revealing himself as a member of the Four Just Men.

## Key lines

> He was filled with black hate for the men who had put a period to his career of villainy.

He was consumed by hatred for those who ended his criminal career.

_Black's vengeful state of mind is established._

> One final blow he would strike and break the man whose obstinacy had broken him.

He planned one last act of revenge to destroy the man who had ruined him.

_Black's intention to harm Sandford is made explicit._

> He took the glass on to his lap. Twice he wiped the edge of it with the damp napkin. He replaced the glass unnoticed.

He secretly wiped the rim of the glass with a napkin containing poison, then put it back without being seen.

_Black's method of poisoning May's glass is described._

> The drug had failed!

The poison did not work.

_Black realizes his attempt on May's life has failed._

> I am Detective-Sergeant Kay from Scotland Yard, and shall take you into custody.

I am a detective from Scotland Yard and I am arresting you.

_Black is confronted by a detective but escapes._

> Your hair has gone white! You look just like that fellow Essley!

Your hair has turned white! You resemble Essley!

_Ikey Tramber notices Black's physical change, linking him to Essley._

## Links

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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_just_men_of_cordova_se/chapters