Underworld Code and Loyalty

Where it surfaces

• You Can't Win

  Betrayal by Irish Annie highlights the fragility of loyalty in the criminal world, a recurring theme in Black's experiences.

• VII

  Smiler and the narrator form a bond of mutual aid and trust, sharing loot and protecting each other from the law.

• VIII

  The narrator follows Smiler's advice to 'clam up' when arrested, showing loyalty to the criminal code even after Smiler's death.

• IX

  Jack learns that thieves have their own moral code—paying debts, keeping one's word, and maintaining 'character' among peers.

• The Four-Thousand-Dollar Haul and the Yegg Convention

  The equal split of the $4,000 reflects the yegg code of loyalty and trust, as Sanc explains Black's inclusion based on past reliability.

• XI

  Sanc's detailed instructions on avoiding detection and his plan to use a trusted fence like Salt Chunk Mary underscore the importance of loyalty and a shared code among criminals.

• Chapter XV

  George enforces a strict code against murder, emphasizing that their business does not include killing. He advises using a gun only to scare, not to hit, and warns against letting the gun become a master.

• XXI

  Swede Pete violates the expected code by cheating Jack on the split, leading to tension and potential retaliation.

• XXII

  Spokane's refusal to inform on Black despite intense police pressure, and Black's decision to stay and protect him, exemplify the code of loyalty among criminals.

• XXIII

  Jack Black discusses the substitute for honor among thieves and the loyalty of his friend who helped him escape.