# III: Three Women explained — The Maltese Falcon

> Chapter companion for The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett.

## What happens

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. Spade visits the St. Mark hotel to inquire about Brigid O'Shaughnessy (registered as Miss Wonderly) and learns she has checked out, leaving a forwarding address in Los Angeles. He returns to the office, where Effie relays a message from Brigid, now using the alias Miss Leblanc, asking to meet him at the Coronet.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Duplicity

Iva's false accusation and Brigid's use of multiple aliases (Wonderly, Leblanc) underscore the pervasive deceit in the narrative.

### Betrayal and Loyalty

Iva's suspicion of Spade and Effie's protective loyalty to him highlight tensions between trust and betrayal.

### Moral Ambiguity

Spade's cold handling of Iva and his ambiguous relationship with her reflect his morally gray character.

## Character check-ins

### Sam Spade

Spade deals with Iva's accusations, learns of police suspicion, and investigates Brigid's disappearance.

### Effie Perine

Effie manages the office, reports on Iva's visit and police inquiries, and relays Brigid's message.

### Iva Archer

Iva confronts Spade, accusing him of killing her husband, and seeks reassurance of his affection.

### Brigid O'Shaughnessy

Brigid, under the alias Miss Wonderly, has checked out of the St. Mark and left a forwarding address; she later contacts Spade as Miss Leblanc.

### Mr. Freed

Freed, the hotel manager, assists Spade with information about Brigid's stay and departure.

## Key lines

> She thinks I shot Miles.

Iva believes I killed her husband.

_Spade reveals Iva's suspicion to Effie._

> The police think I shot Thursby.

The police suspect me of killing Thursby.

_Spade informs Effie of the police's theory._

> She checked out this morning, Mr. Spade.

Miss Wonderly left the hotel earlier today.

_The hotel clerk tells Spade that Brigid has departed._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/iii-three-women
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters