# Revenge and Justice in The Third Round

> Theme guide for The Third Round by H. C. McNeile.

Drummond's pursuit of Peterson is framed as a personal duel for justice, while Robinson's elaborate scheme is driven by a twenty-year thirst for revenge, suggesting that justice is often indistinguishable from vengeance.

## Where it surfaces

- [In Which Drummond Plays a Little Game of Trains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_third_round_se/chapters/viii-in-which-drummond-plays-a-little-game-of-trains): Robinson's personal vendetta against Drummond takes precedence over practical concerns, as he insists on keeping him alive to savor his revenge.
- [IX: In Which Professor Goodman Has a Trying Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_third_round_se/chapters/ix-in-which-professor-goodman-has-a-trying-time): Robinson's entire scheme is driven by a twenty-year desire for revenge against Peterson, which he considers an 'artistic revenge'.
- [X: In Which Drummond Goes on Board the S.Y. Gadfly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_third_round_se/chapters/x-in-which-drummond-goes-on-board-the-s-y-gadfly): Robinson's personal vendetta against Drummond drives his decisions, promising Freyder a chance to harm him and reserving the final blow for himself.
- [XII: In Which He Samples Mr. Blackton’s Napoleon Brandy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_third_round_se/chapters/xii-in-which-he-samples-mr-blackton-s-napoleon-brandy): Drummond seeks a personal form of justice, wanting a final duel that appeals to his sense of fair play. He also threatens Blantyre with legal consequences, showing a dual path of revenge and formal justice.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_third_round_se/themes/revenge_and_justice
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_third_round_se/themes