The Trail of the Serpent · Chapter
Mr. Peters Decides on a Strange Step, and Arrests the Dead explained
While Richard Marwood waits impatiently in London for news of Raymond Marolles, Mr.
What happens
While Richard Marwood waits impatiently in London for news of Raymond Marolles, Mr. Peters, Augustus Darley, and the Smasher accompany a cheerful gentleman transporting a coffin to America. The stranger from Liverpool suspects the coffin contains the living Raymond Marolles, and after a tense voyage, Mr. Peters arrests the 'dead' man, revealing him to be Monsieur de Marolles.
Themes in this chapter
Duality and Deception
Raymond Marolles fakes his own death, hiding in a coffin to escape justice, embodying deception and dual identity.
Crime and Injustice
The pursuit and arrest of the murderer Raymond Marolles highlights the theme of crime and the quest for justice.
Fate and Determinism
Richard's forced inaction and the eventual capture of Marolles suggest a deterministic unfolding of events.
Characters to notice
- Richard Marwood
Impatiently waiting in London, restrained from pursuing Raymond Marolles by friends and family.
- Percy Cordonner
Philosophical friend who stays with Richard until late, then goes to the Cherokees for news.
- Raymond Marolles
The fugitive who fakes death and is hidden in a coffin, ultimately arrested by Mr. Peters.
- Joseph Peters
Detective who orchestrates the arrest of Raymond Marolles aboard the ship to America.
- Augustus Darley
Assists Mr. Peters and keeps an eye on the cheerful gentleman during the voyage.
- The Smasher
Sporting friend who accompanies the group and watches the cheerful gentleman closely.
- Isabella Darley
Richard's love interest, tearfully praying for him to leave the matter to Heaven.
Key passages
“Monsieur de Marolles, you've tried this little game once before. This is the second occasion, I understand, on which you've done a sham die. I'd have you beware of the third time. According to superstitious people, it's generally fatal.”
Mr. Peters warns Raymond Marolles that he has faked death twice and should be cautious, as superstition says the third attempt is deadly.
This quote captures the climax of the chapter where the deception is exposed and the arrest is made.
“If this fellow turns up, hang him! I should glory in seeing him hung, for he's an out-and-out scoundrel, and I should make a point of witnessing the performance, if the officials would do the thing at a reasonable hour, and not execute him in the middle of the night and swindle the respectable public.”
Percy Cordonner expresses a desire to see Raymond Marolles hanged, but complains that executions are often scheduled at inconvenient times.
This reflects Percy's cynical and philosophical attitude toward justice and the legal system.