# Incident of the Private Bar explained — The Three Impostors

> Chapter companion for The Three Impostors by Arthur Machen.

## What happens

Mr. Dyson reflects on the strange tale of Mr. Wilkins and the young man with spectacles, and while pondering these mysteries in a bar, he meets Mr. Burton, a smooth-talking dealer in curiosities. Burton shares his own story of acquiring a valuable gem through deception and discusses his flexible ethics, revealing a shared interest in the same nervous young man with spectacles.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Identity

Burton openly discusses his use of lies and manipulation to acquire valuable items, and both he and Dyson are engaged in uncovering hidden identities.

### Urban Mystery and the Sublime

Dyson finds enchantment in London's streets and gaslights, while the city itself becomes a stage for mysterious encounters and hidden pursuits.

### Class and Social Inequality

Burton exploits the ignorance of poor farmers and villagers to acquire valuable gems for a fraction of their worth, highlighting economic disparities.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Dyson

Meditates on the tale of Mr. Wilkins and the spectacled young man, and meets Mr. Burton in a private bar.

### Mr. Burton

Introduces himself to Dyson in the bar, shares his story as a dealer in curiosities and his ethical justifications for deception.

### Mr. Wilkins

Referenced as the narrator of the earlier tale; Dyson seeks him but cannot find him.

### Mr. Joseph Walters

Implied as the young man with spectacles who is feared by Wilkins and sought by Dyson and Burton.

## Key lines

> How bizarre it all is! a man walking the pavement with the dread of a timid-looking young man with spectacles continually hovering before his eyes.

Dyson exclaims to himself about the strangeness of a man being terrified of a bespectacled young man.

_Dyson's musing attracts Burton's attention and leads to their conversation._

> I have read in a paper which is said to have exception to your own methods of business? I can conceive, myself, flaws of a moral kind being found in the very original conception you have described to me.

Dyson suggests that Burton's business methods might be considered morally questionable.

_Dyson challenges Burton's ethics, prompting Burton to defend his actions._

> I am an apostle of the very highest morality; you have been forced to yield to argument.

Burton claims that his actions, which bring happiness to himself and others, are morally superior.

_Burton uses utilitarian reasoning to justify his deceptive practices._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_impostors_se/chapters/incident-of-the-private-bar
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