# On the Night Mail explained — The Three Just Men > Chapter companion for The Three Just Men by Edgar Wallace. ## What happens Dr. Oberzohn receives a telegram in Portuguese, which he translates and discusses with Gurther behind locked doors. He then makes a series of phone calls and later strolls in his garden. Meanwhile, Elijah Washington boards a night train and is joined by a veiled woman in his compartment. He becomes suspicious when he notices hair on her wrist, and a violent struggle ensues. The attacker, revealed to be Gurther in disguise, escapes by jumping from the train as it slows near Horsham Junction. ## Themes in this chapter ### Deception and Disguise Gurther disguises himself as a veiled widow to ambush Washington on the train. ### Crime and Punishment The attempted murder of Elijah Washington on the night mail highlights the criminal underworld's reach. ## Character check-ins ### Dr. Eruc Oberzohn Receives a telegram, consults with Gurther, makes phone calls, and strolls in his garden. ### Gurther Disguised as a veiled widow, attacks Elijah Washington on the train but escapes by jumping off. ### Elijah Washington Travels on the night mail, is suspicious of the veiled lady, and fights off Gurther's attack. ## Key lines > A man of habit, Mr. Oberzohn missed his daily journey to the City Road. Dr. Oberzohn, a creature of routine, felt the absence of his usual trip to City Road. _Establishes Oberzohn's character and his recent change in behavior._ > He played a game of mental chess, all the time seeking for a check, and when at last he had discovered one that was adequate, he put down his book and went out into his garden. He strategized like a chess player, and once he found a satisfactory move, he set aside his book and went outside. _Illustrates Oberzohn's calculating nature and his method of planning._ > Even through the veil he could feel the bristles, and knew now, if he had not known before, that he had to deal with a man. Feeling stubble through the veil, Washington realized his companion was actually a man in disguise. _Key moment of revelation in the train confrontation._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_just_men_se/chapters/xxiv-on-the-night-mail - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_just_men_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_three_just_men_se/chapters