# Two "Accidents" explained — The Three Just Men

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

## What happens

Leon Gonsalez deals with an attack at Heavytree Farm, capturing a pedlar and engaging in a gunfight with attackers. Later, George Manfred visits Dr. Oberzohn and Monty Newton, warning them to leave Mirabelle alone. After leaving, Manfred and Leon narrowly escape a falling iron casting rigged as an accident. Leon investigates and later orchestrates a fire that destroys Oberzohn's factory, having ensured the night watchman is safe.

## Themes in this chapter

### Crime and Punishment

The Just Men take justice into their own hands, orchestrating a fire as retribution for Oberzohn's attempted murder.

### Deception and Disguise

Leon uses an alias (Mr. Heinz) and cultivates a false acquaintance to gather information.

### Wealth and Power

Manfred reveals Oberzohn and Newton are bankrupt, driving their desperate schemes.

## Character check-ins

### Leon Gonsalez

Captures the pedlar, engages in a gunfight, investigates the attempted murder by falling iron, and sets fire to Oberzohn's factory.

### George Manfred

Visits Oberzohn and Newton, warns them, and narrowly escapes the falling iron casting.

### Mirabelle Leicester

Present at Heavytree Farm; speaks with Leon about Lee's visit and shows admiration for the Just Men.

### Dr. Eruc Oberzohn

Present during Manfred's visit; his factory is targeted in the fire.

### Montague Newton

Confronted by Manfred at Oberzohn's; angered by Manfred's warnings.

### Aunt Alma

Returns to Heavytree Farm dishevelled; her gun is restored to her.

## Key lines

> I would so much rather you shot him than I,” said Leon earnestly. “The police are very suspicious of my shootings, and they never wholly believe that they are done in self-defence.

Leon prefers that Alma shoot the pedlar because the police are skeptical of his claims of self-defense.

_Highlights Leon's cautious relationship with law enforcement._

> You will be hanged by the State or murdered by Oberzohn—I am not sure which,” he said simply, and he spoke with such perfect confidence that the heart of Monty Newton turned to water.

Manfred predicts Newton's fate with certainty, either execution or betrayal by Oberzohn, terrifying Newton.

_Showcases Manfred's prophetic confidence and Newton's fear._

> Accidents are accidents,” said Leon the philosopher that morning at breakfast. “And that talk I had with the clerk last night told me a lot: Oberzohn has allowed his fire insurance to lapse!

Leon justifies the fire as a convenient accident, having learned from a clerk that Oberzohn's insurance had expired.

_Reveals Leon's calculated and morally flexible approach to justice._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_just_men_se/chapters/xv-two-accidents
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_just_men_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_just_men_se/chapters