The Three Just Men · Chapter
VIII: The House of Oberzohn explained
This chapter describes the grim, isolated house of Dr.
What happens
This chapter describes the grim, isolated house of Dr. Oberzohn, located in a triangle formed by railroad viaducts and the Grand Surrey Canal. The house is a replica of his Swedish birthplace, and he lives there with two dangerous men, Iwan Pfeiffer and Sven Gurther, both German criminals. Leon Gonsalez observes them as pitiless and dehumanized. The chapter also follows Joan Newton and Mirabelle Leicester at the Arts Ball, where Joan becomes increasingly frightened as she realizes the gang's sinister plans involve gunmen and a woman. Mirabelle is introduced to a man calling himself Lord Evington, who is actually Gurther, and she dances with him, unaware of the danger.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Punishment
The chapter details the presence of German-trained criminals, the flogging of Gurther by an unknown party, and the gang's use of gunmen, highlighting the theme of crime and the limits of legal punishment.
Deception and Disguise
Gurther disguises himself as Lord Evington at the Arts Ball to approach Mirabelle, and Joan Newton is involved in deceiving Mirabelle about the true nature of the event.
Characters to notice
- Leon Gonsalez
Observes and reports on the two criminals living in Oberzohn's house, describing them as pitiless and dehumanized.
- Dr. Eruc Oberzohn
Owner of the grim house by the canal, a doctor of Literature and Law who conducts experimental hobbies in secret rooms.
- Gurther
One of Oberzohn's men, a German-trained criminal, who is assigned to handle Gonsalez and later poses as Lord Evington at the Arts Ball.
- Iwan Pfeiffer
One of the two criminals living in Oberzohn's house, described as lean, hollow-faced, and pitiless.
- Joan Newton
Accompanies Mirabelle to the Arts Ball, becomes frightened and worried as she realizes the gang's sinister plans involve gunmen and a woman.
- Mirabelle Leicester
Attends the Arts Ball with Joan, is introduced to and dances with Gurther disguised as Lord Evington, unaware of the danger.
Key passages
“In a triangle two sides of which were expressed by the viaducts of converging railroads and the base by the dark and sluggish waters of the Grand Surrey Canal, stood the gaunt ruins of a store in which had once been housed the merchandise of the O. & S. Company.”
The store was located in a triangular area bordered by two railroad viaducts and the Grand Surrey Canal, and it had been damaged by a zeppelin bomb.
Describes the setting of Oberzohn's house and the ruined store.
“They look as if they are watching pigs being killed and enjoying every minute of it.”
Leon Gonsalez says the two men appear to take pleasure in watching something brutal.
Leon's observation about Pfeiffer and Gurther's cruel nature.
“I don't understand it all, Benton. Joan was worried and frightened. She had begun to realize that the game she played was something different… her part more sinister than any role she had yet filled.”
Joan becomes anxious and realizes her involvement in the gang's activities is more dangerous than she thought.
Joan's growing fear and realization of the gang's true intentions.