Summary
The gripping tale of The Maltese Falcon unfolds with a series of unexpected twists and mysterious encounters. It begins with the arrival of an enigmatic woman at a detective agency, leading to a treacherous web of deceit, murder, and a priceless artifact. As the story progresses, Detective Sam Spade finds himself navigating complex relationships and sinister plots while seeking the truth.
Chapter 1: Spade & Archer
A striking woman, claiming to be "Miss Wonderly," enters the Spade & Archer Detective Agency, seeking help to track a man named Floyd Thursby. Archer, one half of the detective duo, eagerly accepts the task with a lascivious wink. Little does he know, this decision will soon entangle him in a deadly game.
Chapter 2: Death in the Fog
In the dead of night, Sam Spade receives a chilling call informing him that his partner, Miles Archer, has been murdered. He rushes to the scene, then contacts his reliable secretary, Effie Perine, to relay the grim news to Archer's wife, Iva. Upon returning home, Spade encounters two detectives who question him about Archer's death and Thursby's subsequent shooting.
Chapter 3: Three Women
The next day, Spade finds Iva Archer in his office, revealing their affair. Effie confides that Iva was absent from home when Effie arrived to deliver the tragic news. Spade's pursuit of Miss Wonderly leads him to a new hotel, where she has registered under the alias "Leblanc."
Chapter 4: The Black Bird
Spade discovers that the woman is actually Brigid O'Shaughnessy, who pleads for his protection. She admits to previous deceptions and recounts her association with Thursby in Hong Kong for safety from unnamed adversaries. After consulting his lawyer about evading police queries, Spade meets Joel Cairo, who offers a lucrative deal to retrieve a statuette of a bird, only to pull a gun on Spade before searching his office.
Chapter 5: The Levantine
Spade disarms Cairo, leaving him unconscious, and searches his belongings. When Cairo revives, he remains eager to pay for the bird, once more attempting to search Spade's office with his gun drawn.
Chapter 6: The Undersized Shadow
That evening, Spade heads to the Geary Theatre, aware that Cairo has tickets. He spots a young man tailing them, later losing sight of him en route to meet Brigid. She insists they speak with Cairo at a location other than her apartment, leading them to Spade's place where Iva awaits, upset and demanding entry.
Chapter 7: G in the Air
While waiting for Cairo, Spade shares a story with Brigid about a man who, despite fleeing family life, ends up in a similar situation. Cairo arrives, and he and Brigid discuss the smuggling of the black bird out of Hong Kong. Tensions flare, leading to a physical confrontation interrupted by the arrival of the police.
Chapter 8: Horse Feathers
The detectives, Dundy and Polhaus, find Cairo bloodied, with Brigid accusing him of assault, while Cairo alleges false imprisonment by Brigid and Spade. Spade's laughter diffuses the situation as he claims they were merely jesting, prompting Dundy to retaliate and Spade to demand their departure, with Cairo in tow.
Chapter 9: Brigid
Left alone, Spade deceitfully informs Brigid that her room is watched by the young man seen earlier. Pressing her for honesty, she divulges some truths but remains evasive, sealing their exchange with a passionate kiss.
Chapter 10: The Belvedere Divan
Spade sneaks out before Brigid awakens, using her hotel key to discover she rented her room a month earlier. He discreetly returns to her with breakfast, then visits Cairo's hotel, engaging in a playful exchange with the lurking...
(This entire section contains 1215 words.)
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young man, surreptitiously demanding a call from "G." before publicly shaming the youth. Cairo later reports being questioned by police, adhering to the story Spade concocted.
Chapter 11: The Fat Man
Spade receives a call from Mr. Gutman, who expresses enthusiasm for the black bird. Iva confronts Spade over her report to the police, driven by jealousy, prompting Spade to direct her to his lawyer for advice. Gutman, a jovial yet elusive figure, refuses to disclose the bird's significance, leading to a heated exchange with Spade who demands transparency.
Chapter 12: Merry-Go-Round
Spade's irritation at Gutman's deception becomes apparent as he leaves, later learning Iva's account of her whereabouts on Archer's death night. Effie informs Spade that Brigid never arrived at her place, prompting him to track down the cab driver who reveals Brigid's last stop at the Ferry Building. Wilmer, the persistent youth, ambushes Spade at his office, coercing him to Gutman's hotel, albeit disarmed beforehand.
Chapter 13: The Emperor’s Gift
Gutman recounts the falcon's storied past, tracing its journey as a lost treasure intended for Emperor Charles V. Following a trail over years, Gutman's associates, Brigid and Thursby, were dispatched to reclaim it from a Russian named Kemidov but never returned. Spade promises to retrieve the bird within days, only to be drugged by Gutman during the discussion, ending with a violent kick from Wilmer.
Chapter 14: La Paloma
Regaining consciousness, Spade visits Effie to address his injuries and propose verifying Gutman’s story with a history expert. Unable to locate Brigid or Gutman in the city, he breaks into Cairo's room to discover a crucial newspaper piece missing. Comparing it to another, he identifies a ship, La Paloma, from Hong Kong, just as Effie reports the vessel's fiery destruction in the harbor.
Chapter 15: Every Crackpot
Lunching with Detective Tom Polhaus, Spade faces District Attorney Bryan's speculative theories on the murders. Spade concludes the meeting with a firm vow to unmask the true culprits.
Chapter 16: The Third Murder
After consulting with a potential client and his lawyer, Spade locates Brigid at the La Paloma. She, Cairo, and Gutman had met Captain Jacobi, who later collapses in Spade's office with the falcon. Amidst the chaos, Brigid calls for help, and Spade instructs Effie to alert the police without mentioning the bird or the call.
Chapter 17: Saturday Night
Spade discreetly secures the falcon at a bus station locker, mailing the key to himself. He finds Gutman's daughter, Rhea, drugged at their hotel, extracting vital information about Brigid's whereabouts. Discovering the empty location and Rhea's departure, Spade consults Effie before meeting Brigid outside, where Gutman, Cairo, and Wilmer await inside his apartment, armed and ready.
Chapter 18: The Fall Guy
Negotiating a deal, Spade is handed ten thousand dollars, minus their agreed amount, as Gutman argues cash outvalues talk. Spade demands a scapegoat for the police, suggesting Wilmer, initially scoffed at but eventually overpowered by Gutman and Cairo.
Chapter 19: The Russian’s Hand
Spade extracts details from Gutman about Thursby and Jacobi's deaths, discovering a missing thousand-dollar bill palmed by Gutman. The following morning, Effie retrieves the falcon, but Gutman's excitement turns to despair as the black coating reveals a lead core. Deeming the real bird a fake, Gutman invites the others to continue the chase, with Cairo agreeing.
Chapter 20: If They Hang You
Spade promptly reports to the police, sharing insights about the falcon and the criminals. Confronting Brigid, he accuses her of Archer's murder, and she questions if love could absolve her. Despite admitting affection, Spade cites numerous reasons against it, ultimately surrendering her to the authorities as the other conspirators are apprehended.
In the aftermath, Effie’s disapproval weighs on Spade as he returns to find Iva waiting in his office, bracing himself for yet another confrontation.
