Summary Ricardo, lounging in front of the old counting house, sees Pedro coming and scents some new development. He spurns Pedro’s news, tells him they already know about the woman, and sends him back to his cooking. Ricardo spots the two white sun helmets moving off into the jungle. Now […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 4: Chapter 6Summary and Analysis Part 4: Chapter 5
Summary Lena wakens and finds herself alone. She rises quickly and meets Heyst returning from the strangers’ quarters. She can smile at him and her glance is clear. He tells her that Wang has left and relates how Wang seemed trying to warn him of some danger — danger to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 4: Chapter 5Summary and Analysis Part 4: Chapter 4
Summary Heyst, waiting at the breakfast table, is startled by Lena’s pale face and lifeless eyes. He is also puzzled by Wang’s tardiness. He calls and Wang comes in and serves breakfast. All the time Wang is serving, he watches Lena. She looks to him as though she might have […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 4: Chapter 4Summary and Analysis Part 4: Chapter 3
Summary Ricardo is charmed by the girl. She is not at all what he expected. She is a “blooming miracle.” He asks if her gentleman is a good shot and she admits that he is. Ricardo says that Mr. Jones is “better than good.” He urges Lena to join them […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 4: Chapter 3Summary and Analysis Part 4: Chapter 2
Summary Not five seconds after Ricardo’s savage leap through Lena’s bedroom curtain, Wang materializes within the living room. He is concerned about the late breakfast, but now he hears strange, deadened, scuffling sounds behind the curtain. Watchful, yet tense and frightened, he stands almost within arm’s reach of the curtain. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 4: Chapter 2Summary and Analysis Part 4: Chapter 1
Summary A day elapses between the events of the last chapter in Part III and the morning with which this chapter opens. From behind a tree, opposite the Heyst bungalow, Ricardo watches, biding his time like a hunting cat. He is watching for a glimpse of the girl. He has […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 4: Chapter 1Summary and Analysis Part 3: Chapter 10
Summary The observer is Martin Ricardo. He can’t sleep either although his companion, Mr. Jones, appears to be sleeping. Ricardo feels himself personally responsible for the success of this venture. He goes out on the verandah of the counting house and can hardly resist an urge to creep toward the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 3: Chapter 10Summary and Analysis Part 3: Chapter 9
Summary Lena wakens early in the night and finds herself alone. Startled, she gets out of bed and looks for Heyst. The lantern still burns and Heyst is standing by the table. She asks him what he is looking for. He asks her if Wang went through this room this […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 3: Chapter 9Summary and Analysis Part 3: Chapter 8
Summary Back at his own bungalow, Heyst sees the lantern where Wang has left it on the steps, and behind him he sees the flame of the strangers’ open fire with Pedro’s uncouth shape hovering over it (Heyst is literally and symbolically between two fires). Heyst is troubled by vague […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 3: Chapter 8Summary and Analysis Part 3: Chapter 7
Summary Ricardo, trying to mask his nervousness, rattles on about their terrible ordeal in the open boat. All the while, he studies Heyst. This man is no drunkard; he shows neither weakness nor alarm. Ricardo already credits Heyst with extraordinary powers of penetration. The water revives Ricardo, and Jones speaks […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 3: Chapter 7