Narbondo and Pule Turn on Each Other

The doctor’s exploitation of his assistant gradually breeds resentment, until Pule’s revenge attempt fails and Narbondo escapes.

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An Unequal Collaboration

Assistant and Manipulator Pule performs the labor Narbondo sends Pule on dangerous errands, including grave robbing and the theft of a carp, while reserving the authority and knowledge for himself. Pule believes his work should earn him a share of the discoveries. Mutual distrust Narbondo views Pule as useful but replaceable; Pule sees Narbondo as an inferior who takes the credit. Their partnership is held together by ambition rather than loyalty.

The Assistant’s Resentment

Credit and Control Punishment follows failure Narbondo berates Pule when the search for the manuscript fails and destroys Pule’s attempted skin treatment. Pule experiences this as proof that the doctor intends to exploit and discard him. Revenge takes form Pule’s anger grows into a plan to attack Narbondo with a bomb. He no longer seeks merely to share the doctor’s power; he wants to destroy the man who has kept him subordinate.

A Failed Bombing

The Revolt Is Foiled A bomb in the passage Pule carries a lit bomb into the hidden passage near Narbondo’s laboratory. Kraken attacks him, and Hasbro throws the device down the stairs before it explodes. Narbondo escapes again Pule fails to kill his former master, while Narbondo flees over the rooftops. Their conflict ends not in a decisive victory but in mutual ruin and another unresolved pursuit.

Early in the London intrigues

After Pule fails to retrieve Sebastian’s manuscript

On Pratlow Street shortly before the Heath climax