# IX explained — The Square Emerald

> Chapter companion for The Square Emerald by Edgar Wallace.

## What happens

Leslie Maughan grapples with the revelation that Druze was a woman, forcing her to discard her previous theories. After a restless night, she is visited early in the morning by Lady Raytham, who confesses to being blackmailed by Druze and reveals that the emerald necklace was a copy. Lady Raytham admits she knew Druze was a woman but denies knowing who killed her, and discloses that Druze was illiterate, making forgery impossible.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Identity

The revelation that Druze was a woman shatters Leslie's assumptions and highlights the theme of hidden identities and deception.

### Secrecy and Blackmail

Jane Raytham confesses to being blackmailed by Druze, revealing the secret payments and the copy of the emerald necklace.

### Class and Wealth

The contrast between Leslie's modest flat and Lady Raytham's aristocratic background, and the use of wealth to conceal secrets.

## Character check-ins

### Leslie Maughan

Processes the shock that Druze was a woman, reconstructs her theories, and interviews Lady Raytham about the blackmail and murder.

### Jane Raytham

Visits Leslie early in the morning, confesses to being blackmailed by Druze, reveals the necklace was a copy, and admits she knew Druze was a woman but denies knowledge of the murder.

### Lucretia Brown

Leslie's maid, who waited up for her and is shocked by the news of a murder, then serves breakfast during Lady Raytham's visit.

### Peter Dawlish

Mentioned by Jane Raytham as her initial suspect for Druze's murder, though she later dismisses the idea.

### Princess Anita Bellini

Mentioned by Jane Raytham as being distraught over Druze's death and visited by police; she was formerly Druze's employer.

### Lord Everreed

Mentioned in connection with a possible forgery by Druze, which Jane Raytham dismisses because Druze was illiterate.

## Key lines

> Druze⁠—a woman! It was incredible⁠—almost impossible! Yet that shrewd old man would not have jested with her.

Leslie is stunned by the news that Druze was a woman, but trusts the old man's word.

_Leslie's initial shock and acceptance of the revelation._

> I know you were being blackmailed; that the necklace you gave was part of the price; the twenty thousand pounds, which I imagine was all you could raise in cash, was the other part.

Leslie states that Jane was blackmailed, paying with both the necklace and a large sum of money.

_Leslie's deduction about the blackmail scheme._

> Because she could not read or write!

Jane explains that Druze was illiterate, making forgery impossible.

_Jane's crucial revelation about Druze's inability to forge documents._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_square_emerald_se/chapters/ix
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_square_emerald_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_square_emerald_se/chapters