# XVI: The Third Murder explained — The Maltese Falcon

> Chapter companion for The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett.

## What happens

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'Shaughnessy, who is in danger at the Alexandria, but the call is cut off. Spade, torn between protecting the falcon and helping Brigid, instructs Effie to call the police with a sanitized story and leaves to investigate.

## Themes in this chapter

### Greed and Corruption

The falcon's arrival and Spade's triumphant handling of it underscore the corrupting allure of the treasure, even as a man lies dead.

### Betrayal and Loyalty

Effie's loyalty to Brigid clashes with Spade's pragmatic caution, revealing tensions in trust and allegiance.

## Character check-ins

### Sam Spade

Receives the dying Jacobi, unwraps the falcon, and decides to go to Brigid's aid despite his resentment.

### Effie Perine

Helps Spade with the dead body, witnesses the falcon's discovery, and receives Brigid's desperate phone call.

### Captain Jacobi

Brings the falcon to Spade's office before dying from multiple gunshot wounds.

### Brigid O'Shaughnessy

Calls Spade from the Alexandria in distress, but the call is abruptly cut off.

## Key lines

> Spade laughed. He put a hand down on the bird. His widespread fingers had ownership in their curving.

Spade chuckled and placed his hand possessively on the falcon, his fingers spreading as if claiming it.

_Shows Spade's immediate sense of triumph and ownership upon obtaining the falcon._

> She beat his chest with her fists, crying: 'No, no—you've got to go to her.'

Effie pounded on Spade's chest and insisted he must go help Brigid immediately.

_Highlights Effie's emotional urgency and her loyalty to Brigid._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xvi-the-third-murder
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters