# The Story of Mont d’Or explained — The Three Just Men

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

## What happens

Leon Gonsalez reads a letter from Sam Barberton detailing his discovery of a cache of gold statuettes in a cave in Angola, which explains the motive behind the attacks on Mirabelle Leicester and the murder of Barberton. The chapter reveals the conspiracy involving Oberzohn and his gang to secure the gold concession, and ends with the news that Mirabelle has been abducted from Heavytree Farm.

## Themes in this chapter

### Wealth and Power

The discovery of gold statuettes drives the entire plot, motivating murder, abduction, and conspiracy.

### Deception and Disguise

Leon impersonates Inspector Meadows on the phone to gather information.

### Crime and Punishment

The chapter details the crimes of murder, abduction, and fraud, with the Just Men planning to intervene.

## Character check-ins

### Leon Gonsalez

Reads Barberton's letter aloud and deduces the conspiracy; plans to drive to Heavytree Farm.

### George Manfred

Present during the discussion of the letter; agrees to accompany Leon on the drive.

### Sam Barberton

Author of the letter describing his gold discovery; his murder is discussed as part of the plot.

### Mirabelle Leicester

Abducted from Heavytree Farm; her absence is discovered during the phone call.

### Dr. Eruc Oberzohn

Implied as the mastermind behind the plot to secure the gold concession and abduct Mirabelle.

### Inspector Meadows

Agrees with Leon's deductions about the conspiracy.

## Key lines

> I have struck rich at last, and the dream I’ve often talked over with you has come true.

Barberton announces his successful gold discovery.

_Opening of the letter revealing the treasure._

> Barberton was killed to prevent his meeting the girl and telling her of his find.

Leon deduces that Barberton was murdered to stop him from informing Mirabelle about the gold.

_Key deduction linking the murder to the conspiracy._

> They’ve got Mirabelle Leicester after all.

Leon realizes that Mirabelle has been abducted.

_Climactic revelation at the end of the chapter._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_just_men_se/chapters/xviii-the-story-of-mont-d-or
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_just_men_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_just_men_se/chapters