# The Maltese Falcon — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett.

- [The Maltese Falcon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/the-maltese-falcon.md): Sam Spade, a private detective in San Francisco, is hired by a woman calling herself Miss Wonderly, who is actually Brigid O'Shaughnessy. She involves him in a dangerous search for a priceless statuette, the Maltese Falc
- [Spade & Archer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/i-spade-archer.md): The chapter introduces Sam Spade and his partner Miles Archer in their San Francisco detective agency. A new client, Miss Wonderly (later revealed as Brigid O'Shaughnessy), hires them to find her younger sister Corinne, 
- [Death in the Fog](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/ii-death-in-the-fog.md): Police detectives Dundy and Polhaus visit Sam Spade at his apartment to question him about the murder of Floyd Thursby, who was shot four times in the back shortly after Miles Archer's death. Spade deflects their suspici
- [III: Three Women](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/iii-three-women.md): Sam Spade arrives at his office to find Iva Archer waiting for him. She accuses him of killing her husband, Miles, but he dismisses her suspicions. Effie Perine reports that the police suspect Spade of shooting Thursby. 
- [The Black Bird](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/iv-the-black-bird.md): Brigid O'Shaughnessy confesses her true identity to Sam Spade and pleads for his help, revealing her fear of being implicated in Miles Archer's murder. Spade agrees to shield her from the police temporarily, then visits 
- [V: The Levantine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/v-the-levantine.md): Joel Cairo visits Sam Spade's office and offers $5,000 for the return of a statuette, but Spade is skeptical of his sincerity. After a brief negotiation, Cairo pulls a pistol and attempts to search the office. Spade disa
- [VI: The Undersized Shadow](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/vi-the-undersized-shadow.md): Spade is tailed by a young man in a grey cap after meeting with Cairo. He shakes the tail and visits Brigid, who is relieved the police won't be involved. Spade sees through her innocent act, and they discuss Cairo's off
- [VII: G in the Air](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/vii-g-in-the-air.md): Spade brings Brigid to his apartment and tells her the Flitcraft story, a parable about a man who disappears and starts a new life. Cairo arrives, and they discuss the falcon's whereabouts. The police, Dundy and Polhaus,
- [Horse Feathers](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/viii-horse-feathers.md): Brigid O'Shaughnessy and Joel Cairo are found by detectives Dundy and Polhaus in Spade's apartment after a violent altercation. Cairo accuses Brigid of attacking him, while Brigid claims self-defense. Spade defuses the s
- [IX: Brigid](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/ix-brigid.md): Spade returns to his apartment and confronts Brigid O'Shaughnessy. After cursing Dundy for hitting him, he presses Brigid for information about the falcon and her dealings with Cairo. She resists, but eventually breaks d
- [X: The Belvedere Divan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/x-the-belvedere-divan.md): Spade searches Brigid's apartment while she sleeps, finding nothing related to the falcon. He returns with breakfast, and they share a meal. Brigid refuses to discuss the bird. Later, Spade confronts the young shadow in 
- [The Fat Man](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xi-the-fat-man.md): Spade receives a phone call from Mr. Gutman and arranges a meeting. Iva Archer visits to apologize for sending the police to his apartment, and Spade advises her to see Sid Wise. Spade then goes to the Alexandria Hotel t
- [XII: Merry-Go-Round](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xii-merry-go-round.md): Spade searches Brigid's apartment, disarms Wilmer, meets with Sid Wise to discuss Iva Archer's alibi, and learns that Brigid never arrived at her intended destination.
- [XIII: The Emperor's Gift](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xiii-the-emperor-s-gift.md): Gutman welcomes Spade and recounts the elaborate history of the jewel-encrusted falcon, tracing its origins from the Knights of Rhodes through various owners across centuries. Spade listens impassively, revealing that Br
- [XIV: La Paloma](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xiv-la-paloma.md): Spade returns to his office at dawn to find Effie Perine asleep there. After tending to his bruised temple from the knockout drops, he dictates the history of the falcon to Effie and sends her to consult her historian co
- [XV: Every Crackpot](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xv-every-crackpot.md): Spade is interrogated by District Attorney Bryan and his assistant Thomas, who press him for information about the murders of Miles Archer and Floyd Thursby. Spade deflects their questions, refusing to reveal his client'
- [XVI: The Third Murder](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xvi-the-third-murder.md): Captain Jacobi, mortally wounded, staggers into Spade's office with the falcon and dies. Spade unwraps the bird, confirming it is the coveted statuette. Effie Perine receives a frantic phone call from Brigid O'Shaughness
- [XVII: Saturday Night](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xvii-saturday-night.md): Spade secures the falcon at a parcel room, then visits the Alexandria Hotel where he finds Rhea Gutman drugged. He revives her and learns she is Gutman's daughter. Later, Brigid O'Shaughnessy meets him at his apartment, 
- [The Fall-Guy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xviii-the-fall-guy.md): Spade proposes to Gutman that Wilmer be framed as the fall guy for the murders of Thursby and Jacobi, arguing that the district attorney will eagerly convict him. Gutman initially resists, but after a tense confrontation
- [XIX: The Russian's Hand](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xix-the-russian-s-hand.md): Spade orchestrates the final arrangements for the falcon exchange, forcing Cairo to cooperate, while Gutman recounts the events leading to Jacobi's death and the failed pursuit of Brigid and the falcon.
- [XX: If They Hang You](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xx-if-they-hang-you.md): Sam Spade confronts Brigid O'Shaughnessy about her murder of Miles Archer, explaining his reasons for turning her over to the police despite his feelings for her. He enumerates a code of ethics and practical consideratio

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