The Three Just Men · Chapter
The Vendetta explained
Captain Monty Newton visits Dr.
What happens
Captain Monty Newton visits Dr. Oberzohn's office and they discuss their scheme involving Mirabelle Leicester. Newton corrects a telegram Oberzohn wrote to Mirabelle's aunt, making it more natural, and devises a plan to lure Mirabelle to Chester Square. Oberzohn reveals his vendetta against the Three Just Men for killing his brother Adolph, but Newton dismisses them as out of business. They coordinate messages to ensure Mirabelle is isolated and brought into their plot.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Disguise
Newton and Oberzohn craft deceptive telegrams and messages to manipulate Mirabelle, hiding their true intentions behind a facade of friendliness and normalcy.
Wealth and Power
Newton's wealth and social standing are emphasized through his fashionable appearance, clubs, and mansion. Oberzohn's firm deals in arms and revolutions, highlighting the corrupting influence of wealth and power.
Loyalty and Betrayal
Oberzohn's vendetta against the Three Just Men for killing his brother shows a twisted sense of loyalty, while the scheme to betray Mirabelle for profit underscores betrayal.
Characters to notice
- Montague Newton
Captain Monty Newton, a fashionable and cunning man, visits Oberzohn to oversee the scheme. He rewrites the telegram to Mirabelle's aunt and plans to use his sister Joan to befriend Mirabelle.
- Dr. Eruc Oberzohn
Dr. Oberzohn is writing a telegram to Mirabelle's aunt but is corrected by Newton. He reveals his deep hatred for the Three Just Men, who killed his brother Adolph, and admires Newton's cleverness.
- Mirabelle Leicester
Mirabelle is the target of the scheme. She is being kept in Oberzohn's office, and Newton devises a plan to have her invited to Chester Square via Joan Newton.
- Joan Newton
Joan Newton is mentioned as the sister of Monty Newton, who will be sent to befriend Mirabelle and bring her to Chester Square.
- Aunt Alma
Aunt Alma is Mirabelle's aunt, living at Heavytree Farm. Newton forges a telegram in her name to manipulate Mirabelle.
- Leon Gonsalez
Leon Gonsalez is mentioned as the one who killed Adolph Oberzohn, fueling Dr. Oberzohn's vendetta against the Three Just Men.
Key passages
“Good morning, Oberzohn—how is Smitts?”
Newton greets Oberzohn with a joke about a nonexistent partner.
This shows Newton's familiarity and dominance in their relationship.
“My brother! My sainted Adolph … murdered! By the so-called Three Just Men … my brother!”
Oberzohn passionately laments his brother's death at the hands of the Three Just Men.
Reveals the deep-seated vendetta driving Oberzohn's actions.
“Ingenious creature!”
Oberzohn admires Newton's cleverness in manipulating the telegrams.
Highlights Oberzohn's respect for Newton's cunning.