The Melody of Death · Chapter
VII: The Bank Smasher explained
Three notorious bank robbers—George Wallis, Callidino, and Persh—discuss their legitimate brokerage business while under police surveillance.
What happens
Three notorious bank robbers—George Wallis, Callidino, and Persh—discuss their legitimate brokerage business while under police surveillance. Wallis recalls a clever Foreign Office official named Standerton and a mysterious figure who once held them up in Hatton Garden. Despite police searches, Wallis remains confident. Later, a detective offers him a reward to turn King's evidence, but Wallis refuses. At his home, he learns from his housekeeper Mrs. Skard that police have been watching. Meanwhile, a safe robbery occurs at the Goldsmiths' Guild, and police believe Wallis is responsible, but his watchers swear he never left his house.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Morality
The chapter explores the blurred line between legitimate business and criminal activity, as Wallis runs a brokerage while being a known bank robber.
Deception and Secrecy
Wallis maintains a facade of innocence, the police watch secretly, and the safe robbery occurs under mysterious circumstances.
Identity and Disguise
Wallis operates under multiple names and the police struggle to identify the true perpetrator of the Goldsmiths' Guild robbery.
Characters to notice
- George Wallis
Leader of the trio, an artist in crime, under police surveillance but confident in his legitimate front.
- Callidino
Italian associate, dapper and practical, part of the notorious trio.
- Persh
Stout, agile associate, known for escaping Devil's Island, part of the trio.
- Gilbert Standerton
Mentioned by Wallis as a cool and clever Foreign Office official who interrogated him.
- Mrs. Skard
Wallis's housekeeper, who reports a suspicious gas man visit.
- Chief Inspector Goldberg
Detective-inspector who offers Wallis a chance to turn King's evidence and later investigates the Goldsmiths' Guild robbery.
Key passages
“I suppose it was the burglary at the Bond Guarantees that I have been reading about that’s excited them”
Callidino suggests that the recent Bond Guarantees burglary has made the police more active.
Shows the gang's awareness of police interest and their casual discussion of crimes.
“I haven’t met one of them who has the intelligence of that cool devil we met at the Foreign Office, when I had to answer some questions about Persh’s unique experiences on Devil’s Island.”
Wallis praises Standerton as the most intelligent police officer he has encountered.
Highlights Standerton's reputation and Wallis's respect for his adversary.
“My conscience is a matter of constant adjustment. It is rather like the foot-rule which shoemakers employ to measure their customers’ feet—terrifically adjustable. It has a sliding scale which goes up and down.”
Wallis describes his flexible morality, comparing his conscience to a shoemaker's adjustable measuring tool.
Reveals Wallis's cynical and pragmatic view of ethics.
“A man answering to his description was seen leaving the City branch of the Goldsmiths’ Guild half an hour ago. The safe has been forced and twenty thousand pounds’ worth of jewelry has been taken.”
Inspector Goldberg reports that a man resembling Wallis robbed the Goldsmiths' Guild, but Wallis's watchers insist he never left home.
Creates a mystery about Wallis's possible involvement or an impersonator.
