# Gurther explained — The Three Just Men > Chapter companion for The Three Just Men by Edgar Wallace. ## What happens Dr. Oberzohn hides Gurther in the factory vaults after the failed attack at the Arts Ball. Monty Newton returns home to find Oberzohn studying chess, and they discuss the police pursuit, Mirabelle's escape, and the threat posed by Johnson Lee and Elijah Washington. Oberzohn reveals letters from Johnson Lee to Barberton, indicating a connection to Mirabelle. Later, Oberzohn disciplines Gurther for his poor timing and leads him to a hidden room in the factory vaults. ## Themes in this chapter ### Deception and Disguise Gurther hides in the factory vaults, and Oberzohn conceals his movements and plans from the police. ### Loyalty and Betrayal Gurther remains obedient to Oberzohn despite being struck, while Oberzohn's trust in his subordinates is tested. ### Crime and Punishment The aftermath of the attack at the Arts Ball involves police pursuit, hiding, and Oberzohn's disciplinary actions against Gurther. ## Character check-ins ### Gurther Hides in the factory vaults after the failed attack; disciplined by Oberzohn for poor timing. ### Dr. Eruc Oberzohn Arranges Gurther's hiding place, studies chess, discusses police and the Three Just Men, and strikes Gurther for his failure. ### Montague Newton Returns home weary and angry; reports Cuccini's injury and the police watching the house; discusses next steps with Oberzohn. ### Mirabelle Leicester Mentioned as having escaped from the mews car, possibly returned to Heavytree Farm. ### Johnson Lee His letters to Barberton are discovered by Oberzohn, revealing a connection to Mirabelle and raising Oberzohn's concern. ### Elijah Washington Feared by Oberzohn as one of the Three Just Men who may be difficult to deal with. ## Key lines > “Here will you stay until I send for you,” said Oberzohn. “Tonight, perhaps, after they have searched. You have a pistol?” “ Ja , Herr Doktor.” “Food, water, bedding⁠—all you need.” Oberzohn tells Gurther to remain hidden in the vault until he is summoned, possibly after the police search, and confirms he has a pistol and supplies. _Oberzohn arranges Gurther's concealment in the factory vaults._ > “Gurther must be disciplined,” he said. “Obviously he has lost his nerve; and when a man loses his nerve also he loses his sense of time. And his timing⁠—how deplorable!” Oberzohn criticizes Gurther for losing his nerve and poor timing during the attack. _Oberzohn blames Gurther for the failure at the Arts Ball._ > “They will be difficult: I had that expectation,” he said, and Monty knew that he referred to the Three Just Men. “Yet they are mortal also⁠—remember that, my Newton: they are mortal also.” Oberzohn acknowledges the Three Just Men will be challenging opponents but insists they can be killed. _Oberzohn and Newton discuss the threat of the Three Just Men._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_just_men_se/chapters/xi-gurther - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_just_men_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_just_men_se/chapters