# Colonel Einarson — Continental Op Stories character guide > Colonel Einarson in Continental Op Stories by Dashiell Hammett. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Einarson, this Colonel Einarson, An Einarson **First appearance:** 0175-this-king-business ## Snapshot A polished Central American colonel who stages a soldier's revenge as theater, then discovers his young American protégé may be playing a deeper game. ## Who they are Einarson moves through the revolutionary intrigue of a Muravian port with the ease of a man who has learned to make patriotism pay, arranging a public shooting to look like a soldier's private vengeance. When the Op quietly reveals that the soldier was paid, the colonel's performance begins to fray, and the young man he has been cultivating — Grantham — starts suspecting everyone, including his own mentor. His importance lies in that gap between the story he tells and the money he moves. ## In the story ### [The Tenth Clue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/the-tenth-clue) A figure involved in the unfolding events, possibly a suspect or ally. ### [Zigzags of Treachery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/zigzags-of-treachery) A key figure in the investigation, possibly with hidden motives. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as 'Lew Maher' in the excerpt; a city sleuth who pointed out the Whosis Kid in Boston and was later killed. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/i) Not present in this chapter. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/v) Referred to as Paget, the deputy sheriff who leads the investigation at the scene. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned as 'the Old Man' who informs the Op about the car being found in Sacramento. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/i) Referred to as the Old Man, head of the agency. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/iii) The Old Man; arranges the employment office stratagem and is briefed by the Op. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as a guest at the wedding reception. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as having armed the household and led them out to confront the bank robbery. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/v) Referred to as General Pleshskev; assists in the capture and talks to distract the fugitive. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned as Hendrixson; reports the killings and describes the masked attacker. ### [Creeping Siamese](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/creeping-siamese) A client or associate involved in the investigation. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/i) Referred to as 'the Old Man'; the Op's boss at the Continental Detective Agency. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/iii) Referred to as 'the Old Man', the Op's boss; listens to the report and offers analysis. ### [$106,000 Blood Money](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/106-000-blood-money) A client or associate involved in the investigation, providing leads and context. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/iv) Referred to as 'the Old Man'; has lunch with the Op and comments on the timing of Papadopoulos's reappearance. ### [This King Business](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/this-king-business) A key figure in the case, possibly involved in the forged will scheme. ### [I: “Yes”—and “No”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/i-yes-and-no) Icelander and head of the army; seen with Grantham and considered a possible scoundrel. ### [IV: Introductions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/iv-introductions) A florid officer with a German accent; interrogates the soldier and prepares to use a whip to force a confession. ### [V: A Flogging](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/v-a-flogging) Flogs a soldier methodically for forty minutes to extract information, then explains the soldier's motive; shows a mix of brutality and calculated discipline. ### [VI: Cards on the Table](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/vi-cards-on-the-table) Drops the Op and Grantham at the hotel and departs hurriedly. ### [VII: Lionel's Plans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/vii-lionel-s-plans) Mentioned as a key figure in the revolution plot, suspected by the Op of ordering Mahmoud's murder. ### [VIII: An Enlightening Interview](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/viii-an-enlightening-interview) Identified as a conspirator with Mahmoud in swindling Lionel Grantham. ### [IX: Conjectures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/ix-conjectures) Suspected of killing Mahmoud; carries a worn picture of the Shah of Persia, suggesting he aims to become a dictator. ### [Einarson in Control](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/x-einarson-in-control) Arrives in dinner coat, takes command of the meeting, intimidates dissenters, and sets the revolution for Thursday morning. ### [XI: A Romantic Interlude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/xi-a-romantic-interlude) Mentioned as the leader of the revolution who must be killed afterward. ### [XII: The Night Before](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/xii-the-night-before) Outlines the revolution plans; the Op assesses his physical and mental strengths and flaws. ### [XIII: Progress Goes "Betune"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/xiii-progress-goes-betune) Arrives with his troops, smelling of victory, and escorts Grantham and the Op to the Administration Building. ### [XIV: Coronation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/xiv-coronation) Leads the revolution, forces the President's resignation, and is coerced by the Op into crowning Grantham. ### [XV: Bargain Hunters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/xv-bargain-hunters) Brought in at gunpoint, humiliated by the Op, and later left with Djudakovich for a private talk. ### [XVI: Lionel Rex](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/xvi-lionel-rex) Mentioned as being held by the Op and later present in Grantham's suite. ### [Mob Law](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/xvii-mob-law) Confronted by Djudakovich, thrown to the mob, and torn apart by soldiers. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/x) The Old Man listens to the Op's report and discusses the case. ### [The Farewell Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/the-farewell-murder) A key figure in the investigation, possibly a client or suspect. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/characters/colonel_einarson - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/continental_op_stories_se/characters