The Three Just Men · Chapter
The Death Tube explained
Manfred explains to a police chief how Oberzohn used frozen snake venom in blowpipes disguised as cigarette holders to assassinate victims.
What happens
Manfred explains to a police chief how Oberzohn used frozen snake venom in blowpipes disguised as cigarette holders to assassinate victims. He also reveals that Leon secured the renewal of Mirabelle's goldfield lease using stolen signed notepaper. Later, Poiccart expresses concern that Leon may be falling in love.
Themes in this chapter
Science and Technology
Oberzohn's use of frozen snake venom and blowpipes disguised as cigarette holders demonstrates a perverse application of scientific knowledge for murder.
Crime and Punishment
The chapter details the mechanics of Oberzohn's assassination method and the just men's countermeasures, highlighting the ongoing conflict between crime and justice.
Characters to notice
- George Manfred
Explains the method of the death tube to the police chief and discusses Leon's actions.
- Raymond Poiccart
Travels with Manfred and expresses concern that Leon may be in love.
- Leon Gonsalez
Secured the renewal of Mirabelle's goldfield lease using stolen signed notepaper.
- Dr. Eruc Oberzohn
Devised the method of using frozen snake venom in blowpipes for assassinations.
- Elijah Washington
Mentioned as the snake-proof man who survived being targeted by the snake-men.
Key passages
“Oberzohn secured the poison by taking a snake and extracting his venom—a simple process: you have but to make him angry, and he will bite on anything.”
Oberzohn obtained the poison by provoking a snake to bite, then collecting its venom.
Manfred explains the origin of the poison used in the death tube.
“The venom was slightly diluted with water and enough to kill a dozen people was poured into a tiny mould and frozen.”
The venom was mixed with a little water, then frozen into small darts that could kill many people.
Describes the method of creating the frozen venom darts.
“The cigarette holders that were carried by Gurther and the other assassin, Pfeiffer, were blowpipes, the cigarette a hollow metal fake.”
Gurther and Pfeiffer used cigarette holders that were actually blowpipes, with the cigarette being a hollow metal decoy.
Reveals the disguise used for the assassination weapon.
“Leon found at Heavytree Farm some blank sheets of notepaper signed with the girl’s name. He stole one during the aunt’s absence and filled up the blank with a formal request for renewal.”
Leon discovered pre-signed blank paper at Heavytree Farm, took one while the aunt was away, and wrote a renewal request on it.
Explains how Leon secured the lease renewal for Mirabelle's goldfields.