# IV explained — The Outlaw of Torn

> Chapter companion for The Outlaw of Torn by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## What happens

De Vac murders Lady Maud and kidnaps Prince Richard, disguising himself as an old woman and hiding the prince beneath a dock. He overhears Simon de Montfort and others searching for the prince, narrowly avoids discovery, and later kills the old woman Til to eliminate a witness. He then secures the prince in a hidden garret room.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Corruption

De Vac's ruthless actions—murder and kidnapping—demonstrate the corrupting influence of his quest for revenge.

### Revenge and Justice

De Vac's plot is driven by a desire for revenge, as he eliminates anyone who might thwart his plan.

### Loyalty and Betrayal

Til's potential betrayal of De Vac leads to her murder, highlighting the theme of loyalty.

## Character check-ins

### De Vac

Murders Lady Maud, kidnaps Prince Richard, disguises himself, and kills Til to cover his tracks.

### Lady Maud

Killed by De Vac to prevent her from raising an alarm.

### Prince Richard

Kidnapped by De Vac, disguised in common clothes, and hidden in a garret.

### Simon de Montfort

Leads a search party for the prince, unknowingly standing above the hidden skiff.

### Til

Killed by De Vac for her potential betrayal and knowledge of the kidnapping.

## Key lines

> As De Vac drew his sword from the heart of the Lady Maud, he winced, for, merciless though he was, he had shrunk from this cruel task.

De Vac felt a moment of regret after killing Lady Maud, despite his usual ruthlessness.

_Shows De Vac's internal conflict and the gravity of his actions._

> The little Prince was now so terrified that he could but tremble and whimper in his fright.

Prince Richard was too scared to do anything but shake and cry.

_Highlights the prince's vulnerability and fear._

> De Vac did not dare remain in this retreat until dark, as he had first intended.

De Vac changed his plan and left earlier than planned due to the risk of discovery.

_Illustrates De Vac's adaptability and caution._

> The words of De Montfort, which he had overheard at the dock, convinced him that here was one more obstacle to the fulfillment of his revenge which must be removed as had the Lady Maud.

Hearing De Montfort's words made De Vac realize that Til was a threat to his revenge, so he decided to kill her too.

_Shows De Vac's calculated elimination of threats._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_outlaw_of_torn_se/chapters/iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_outlaw_of_torn_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_outlaw_of_torn_se/chapters