# The Vendetta explained — The Three Just Men

> Chapter companion for The Three Just Men by Edgar Wallace.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_just_men_se/chapters/iii-the-vendetta
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_just_men_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_just_men_se/chapters