The Law of the Four Just Men · Chapter
The Man with the Canine Teeth explained
Leon Gonsalez and George Manfred discuss the nature of murder over breakfast, with Gonsalez revealing he met a man with distinctive canine teeth the previous night.
What happens
Leon Gonsalez and George Manfred discuss the nature of murder over breakfast, with Gonsalez revealing he met a man with distinctive canine teeth the previous night. They later lunch with Assistant Commissioner Reginald Fare, who receives news of Professor Tableman's mysterious death. Gonsalez identifies the man he met as Stephen Tableman, the professor's son. At the crime scene, Gonsalez notices crucial details, including a thermos flask and cotton wool, and later learns the professor was wearing thick gloves, which he realizes is key to the murder.
Themes in this chapter
Criminal Psychology and Physiognomy
Gonsalez analyzes Stephen Tableman's canine teeth and facial features as indicators of a murderer, reflecting Lombrosian theories.
Murder and Moral Ambiguity
The chapter explores murder as an 'accidental' crime and the ambiguity of Stephen Tableman's guilt, with Gonsalez suggesting he is destined to kill.
Disguise and Deception
Manfred and Gonsalez operate under false identities as Spanish scientists, deceiving the police to gain access to the investigation.
Characters to notice
- Leon Gonsalez
Discusses murder as an accidental crime, identifies Stephen Tableman as a potential murderer based on his canine teeth, and investigates the professor's death.
- George Manfred
Engages in breakfast conversation about murder, visits Scotland Yard, and later examines sporting press files; expresses confidence in Gonsalez's abilities.
- Reginald Fare
Assistant Commissioner who lunches with Manfred and Gonsalez, brings them to the Tableman murder scene, and shares his theory that Stephen Tableman is guilty.
- Professor Tableman
Found dead in his laboratory under mysterious circumstances; a lecturer in physics and chemistry, described as arbitrary and unyielding.
- Stephen Tableman
Son of the professor, identified by Gonsalez as having large canine teeth; suspected of murder, with evidence of studying obscure poisons.
- John Munsey
Professor's nephew and former assistant, present at the crime scene when Fare and the others arrive.
Key passages
“Murder, my dear Manfred is the most accidental of crimes”
Gonsalez claims that murder is usually an unplanned act.
Sets up the chapter's exploration of criminal psychology.
“Eighty percent of the men who are charged with murder are making their appearance in a criminal court for the first time”
Most murderers have no prior criminal record.
Supports Gonsalez's argument that murderers are not typical criminals.
“I met a true murderer type last night”
Gonsalez encountered someone he believes is a natural killer.
Introduces Stephen Tableman as a suspect based on physiognomy.
“The canine teeth were unusually large and long, the eyes deep set and amazingly level, the face anamorphic”
The man had prominent canine teeth, deep-set eyes, and an asymmetrical face.
Key physical description linking to Lombrosian criminal type.
“He is the son of Professor Tableman. He is not on good terms with his father, who apparently disapproves of his choice of fiancée, and he loathes his cousin”
Gonsalez reveals the man is Stephen Tableman, estranged from his father and cousin.
Provides motive and context for the murder.
