# Death in the Fog explained — The Maltese Falcon

> Chapter companion for The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett.

## What happens

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 suspicions, maintains his innocence, and refuses to disclose his client's identity, leading to a tense standoff that ends with the detectives leaving without making an arrest.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Duplicity

Spade deliberately misleads the police about his whereabouts and knowledge, maintaining a facade of calm while hiding his true activities.

### Moral Ambiguity

Spade's refusal to fully cooperate with the police and his willingness to 'bury his dead' highlight the blurred lines between right and wrong in his world.

## Character check-ins

### Sam Spade

Interrogated by police about Thursby's murder; remains calm and evasive, asserting his right to keep client information confidential.

### Tom Polhaus

Accompanies Dundy to Spade's apartment; tries to mediate and urges Spade to cooperate.

### Lieutenant Dundy

Aggressively questions Spade, suspecting his involvement in Thursby's murder; warns Spade his 'foot is going to slip.'

### Floyd Thursby

Mentioned as having been shot four times in the back; his death is the focus of the police interrogation.

### Miles Archer

Referenced as Spade's murdered partner; his death is linked to the investigation.

### Effie Perine

Mentioned as having been sent by Spade to inform Iva Archer of Miles's death.

## Key lines

> I don't know anything about women.

Spade claims ignorance of female psychology.

_Said in response to Polhaus asking how Iva Archer took the news of her husband's death._

> I'll bury my dead.

Spade asserts he will handle the investigation into Miles Archer's murder himself.

_Spade's declaration to Polhaus and Dundy that he does not need their help._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/ii-death-in-the-fog
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters