The Three Just Men · Chapter
The Courier explained
The Three Just Men prepare to send Elijah Washington on a dangerous mission to Lisbon with a letter for the Minister of Colonies.
What happens
The Three Just Men prepare to send Elijah Washington on a dangerous mission to Lisbon with a letter for the Minister of Colonies. They discuss the ongoing police inactivity regarding the Barberton murder and the surveillance on their house. Digby is assigned to observe Oberzohn's house and search an old barge. Manfred reveals that a taxi driver is a spy for Oberzohn, and Washington is given a decoy wallet while the real letter is sewn into his jacket lining. Washington leaves, aware he is being followed.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Disguise
The Three Just Men use a decoy wallet and sew the real letter into Washington's jacket to evade Oberzohn's spies.
Loyalty and Betrayal
Washington agrees to a dangerous mission out of loyalty, while the taxi driver betrays his trust for money.
Crime and Punishment
The Barberton murder remains unsolved, and the police face public condemnation for their lack of progress.
Characters to notice
- Elijah Washington
Agrees to carry a secret letter to Lisbon despite the danger; is given a decoy wallet and has the letter sewn into his jacket lining.
- George Manfred
Coordinates the mission, reveals the spy taxi driver, and prepares Washington for the journey.
- Leon Gonsalez
Sews the letter into Washington's jacket lining and discusses the barge search with Manfred.
- Raymond Poiccart
Provides the travel route and financial details for Washington's mission.
- Digby
Assigned to observe Oberzohn's house and search the old barge; his head is bandaged from a previous incident.
- Inspector Meadows
Mentioned as being under pressure due to public criticism over the Barberton murder investigation.
Key passages
“There was not a journal which did not carry columns of letters to the editor denouncing the inactivity of the police.”
Every newspaper published numerous letters criticizing the police for their lack of action.
Highlights public frustration with the police investigation into the Barberton murder.
“I’m putting all my cards on the table, Mr. Washington, and asking you to do something which, if you cannot bring yourself to agree, must be done by either myself, Poiccart or Gonsalez. Frankly, none of us can be spared.”
Manfred honestly tells Washington that the mission is dangerous and that if he refuses, one of the three men will have to go, but they are all needed elsewhere.
Shows Manfred's trust in Washington and the urgency of the mission.
“So the chances are that your movements will be known; even though you do not call the cab, he will follow you.”
Manfred warns Washington that the spy taxi driver will track him regardless of whether he hires the cab.
Illustrates the extent of Oberzohn's surveillance network.