Polish body guard was being duped by French agents. They learn of the existence of an assassin--but nothing more. Body guard dies after interrogation. Jackal kills the ID forger who tried to blackmail him--not a good idea to blackmail the Jackal. He's off to commit the murder though his employees would call the whole thing off if they could get in touch with him. Introduction to the physically unimpressive detective who will stop the Jackal. The assassins also have in an "in" on the investigation--mistress to one of the police superintendents. Very enjoyable.
February 1895 (Alice died in 1892) Money problems, jealousy of Wilde; time spent with Lord Wolseley1; off to Ireland to lick his wounds; Irish unrest--Irish landlords boycott all social events; much time spent with manservant Hammond (homosexual attraction again); fancy dress ball, appalling to James, who is only happy in company of Hammond, though Hammond remains a servant and no more; little girl alone on the grounds--inspiration for Turn of the Screw?; conflict with Webster who alludes to Wilde's successful play and HJ's failure; Wolseley was an Anglo-Irish officer in the British Army . He became one of the most influential and admired British generals after a series of successes in Canada, West Africa, and Egypt, followed by a central role in modernizing the British Army in promoting efficiency. He served in Burma, the Crimean War , the Indian Mutiny , China, Canada and widely throughout Africa—including his Ashanti campaign (18...
Comments
Post a Comment