# VI: The Undersized Shadow explained — The Maltese Falcon

> Chapter companion for The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett.

## What happens

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 offer for the falcon. Iva Archer confronts Spade outside his apartment, but he sends her away.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Duplicity

Spade sees through Brigid's practiced innocent manner, and she admits she is not what she pretends to be.

### Moral Ambiguity

Spade tells Brigid that most things in San Francisco can be bought or taken, and he doesn't mind a reasonable amount of trouble.

## Character check-ins

### Sam Spade

Spade is followed by a young man, shakes his tail, and visits Brigid. He sees through her act and discusses Cairo's offer.

### Joel Cairo

Cairo meets Spade outside the Geary Theatre, denies knowing the youth tailing Spade, and confirms he has not hired anyone else.

### Brigid O'Shaughnessy

Brigid welcomes Spade eagerly, is relieved the police won't know about her, and is confronted about her practiced innocent manner.

### Iva Archer

Iva waits in her sedan outside Spade's apartment, confronts him about the woman he is with, and is sent away.

### Wilmer Cook

The undersized youth tailing Spade is identified as Wilmer, though not named in this chapter; he is described as an undersized youth in a grey cap and overcoat.

## Key lines

> Well, they're paying for it

Spade dismisses his concerns, reminding himself that he is being paid.

_Spade decides to stop worrying about the situation._

> Most things in San Francisco can be bought, or taken.

Spade implies that he can arrange things through money or force.

_Spade explains how he managed to keep Brigid's name out of the police investigation._

> You're good. You're very good.

Spade compliments Brigid on her acting skills.

_Spade sees through Brigid's practiced demeanor._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/vi-the-undersized-shadow
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters