The Just Men of Cordova · Chapter
XVI: Colonel Black Meets a Just Man explained
Colonel Black, consumed by hatred and a desire for revenge against Sandford, attempts to poison May Sandford at her birthday dinner but fails.
What happens
Colonel Black, consumed by hatred and a desire for revenge against Sandford, attempts to poison May Sandford at her birthday dinner but fails. He flees, collides with a detective, knocks him out, and escapes by taxi. He retrieves Sir Isaac Tramber from his club and they flee together. The chapter also reveals that Dr. Essley was a fraud, and Black, having collected money, prepares to escape, but is confronted in his flat by de la Monte, a member of the Four Just Men.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This chapter is the dramatic climax because it reveals the psychological and moral turning point where Jakobs,…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Justice and Vigilantism
The Four Just Men continue their pursuit of Black, with de la Monte confronting him directly.
- Deception and Identity
Dr. Essley is exposed as a fraud who assumed a dead man's identity; Black's own disguises and aliases are highlighted.
- Wealth and Greed
Black collects money to which he has no legal right, planning to flee the country.
Characters to notice
- Colonel J. Black
Attempts to poison May Sandford, flees after the attempt fails, and is later confronted by de la Monte.
- May Sandford
The target of Black's poisoning attempt at her birthday dinner; she drinks the poisoned champagne but survives.
- Mr. Theodore Sandford
Hosts the birthday dinner for his daughter May; Black's intended victim for revenge.
- Ikey Tramber
Retrieved by Black from the Junior Turf Club and forced to flee with him.
- Dr. Essley
Revealed to be a fraudulent practitioner who assumed a dead man's identity; Black had helped him establish his practice.
- Mr. de la Monte
Confronts Black in his flat, revealing himself as a member of the Four Just Men.
Key passages
“He was filled with black hate for the men who had put a period to his career of villainy.”
He was consumed by hatred for those who ended his criminal career.
Black's vengeful state of mind is established.
“One final blow he would strike and break the man whose obstinacy had broken him.”
He planned one last act of revenge to destroy the man who had ruined him.
Black's intention to harm Sandford is made explicit.
“He took the glass on to his lap. Twice he wiped the edge of it with the damp napkin. He replaced the glass unnoticed.”
He secretly wiped the rim of the glass with a napkin containing poison, then put it back without being seen.
Black's method of poisoning May's glass is described.
“The drug had failed!”
The poison did not work.
Black realizes his attempt on May's life has failed.
“I am Detective-Sergeant Kay from Scotland Yard, and shall take you into custody.”
I am a detective from Scotland Yard and I am arresting you.
Black is confronted by a detective but escapes.
“Your hair has gone white! You look just like that fellow Essley!”
Your hair has turned white! You resemble Essley!
Ikey Tramber notices Black's physical change, linking him to Essley.
