# Before the Lights Went Out explained — The Three Just Men

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

## What happens

At the Arts Ball, Mirabelle dances with Mr. Gurther, who poses as Lord Evington. Feeling homesick and uneasy, she agrees to sit out with him. He orders her an orangeade, secretly lacing it with a red powder. When she tastes bitterness, he swaps glasses. She becomes dizzy and faint. As the waiter opens a side door, Leon Gonsalez is revealed waiting outside. Before any action occurs, the lights go out.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Disguise

Gurther impersonates Lord Evington and conceals his true intentions, while Leon Gonsalez waits in disguise.

### Innocence and Corruption

Mirabelle's innocent longing for home contrasts with Gurther's corrupt plan to drug and abduct her.

## Character check-ins

### Mirabelle Leicester

Feels unhappy and homesick at the ball; becomes dizzy after drinking the drugged orangeade.

### Gurther

Disguised as Lord Evington; drugs Mirabelle's drink and attempts to lure her away.

### Leon Gonsalez

Appears outside the door, waiting in a Spanish-style cloak, ready to intervene.

## Key lines

> The first taste she had through the straws was one of extreme bitterness. She made a wry face and put down the glass. "How horrid!"

Mirabelle finds the orangeade bitter and complains about the taste.

_Gurther has already drugged the drink, but Mirabelle detects the unusual flavor._

> Gonsalez was waiting there, alert … death grinning at him … and then the room went inky black. Somebody had turned the main switch.

Leon Gonsalez stands ready at the door, but the lights are suddenly cut off.

_The chapter ends on a cliffhanger as the power is shut off, leaving the confrontation unresolved._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_just_men_se/chapters/ix-before-the-lights-went-out
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_just_men_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_just_men_se/chapters