The Maltese Falcon · Chapter
V: The Levantine explained
Joel Cairo visits Sam Spade's office and offers $5,000 for the return of a statuette, but Spade is skeptical of his sincerity.
What happens
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 disarms him with a swift elbow strike, knocks him unconscious, and searches his belongings. Upon awakening, Cairo insists his offer is genuine and provides a $200 retainer to prove his good faith.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Duplicity
Cairo's offer of $5,000 is met with suspicion by Spade, who questions its sincerity and demands a tangible retainer.
Greed and Corruption
Spade's willingness to accept a retainer and negotiate for the falcon's return underscores the mercenary nature of the pursuit.
Characters to notice
- Sam Spade
Spade disarms Cairo after being threatened with a pistol, searches his belongings, and accepts a $200 retainer.
- Joel Cairo
Cairo offers $5,000 for the falcon, pulls a gun to search Spade's office, is knocked unconscious, and later provides a retainer.
Key passages
“Spade picked up the wallet and took out a hundred dollars. Then he frowned, said, 'Better make it two hundred,' and did.”
Spade takes a $100 retainer from Cairo's wallet, then decides to increase it to $200 and takes that amount instead.
Spade tests Cairo's sincerity by demanding a larger retainer.
“Cairo pointed the pistol at Spade's chest. 'You will please keep your hands on the top of the desk,' Cairo said earnestly. 'I intend to search your offices.'”
Cairo threatens Spade with a pistol and announces his plan to search the office for the falcon.
Cairo's attempt to search the office leads to a physical confrontation.