XIII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Deception and Identity

  Adèle Gertstein's entire confession revolves around her deception of her husband, her forged identity as a chauffeur, and the hidden identity of the blackmailer.

• Crime and Justice

  Labar grapples with the moral dilemma of violating his oath to extract information that could lead to the capture of a greater criminal, Larry Hughes.

• Class and Wealth

  The blackmail exploits Adèle's wealthy status, and her desperation leads her to forge her husband's cheque and sell her jewels.

Characters to notice

• Harry Labar

  Interrogates Adèle Gertstein, learns the full extent of her blackmail and forgery, and is interrupted by Larry Hughes.

• Adèle Gertstein

  Confesses to being blackmailed by Larry Hughes, forging her husband's cheque, and attempting to bribe Labar.

• Larry Hughes

  Arrives at the end of the chapter, armed with an automatic, interrupting Labar's interrogation.

• Penelope Noelson

  Mentioned as having helped Adèle Gertstein deliver a note to Labar, though unaware of the full details.

• Solly Gertstein

  Mentioned as Adèle's husband, whose chequebook she forged.

• Stebbins

  Mentioned as an odd-job man placed at Streetly House through Larry Hughes's influence.

Key passages

• “My plain duty is to arrest you.”

  Labar tells Adèle that his official obligation is to take her into custody.

  Labar acknowledges his duty but delays arrest to question her further.

• “I have had about a couple of thousands out of him.”

  Adèle says she received around two thousand pounds from Larry Hughes.

  Adèle reveals that Hughes gave her money, which was likely part of the blackmail scheme.

• “I saw that I had made a mistake. I had been told that all police officers would take money if they could do it safely.”

  Adèle realized her bribery plan was flawed because she believed all police were corrupt.

  Adèle explains her misguided attempt to bribe Labar based on a stereotype of police corruption.