Jacobi’s Last Voyage
The Maltese FalconCaptain Jacobi carries Brigid’s concealed parcel across the ocean, becomes entangled in the search, and dies delivering it.
increasing
Bearing strength in each event
decreasing
A Secret Passenger Parcel

A Secret Passenger Parcel
A discreet arrangement
Brigid entrusts the falcon to Captain Jacobi to bring to San Francisco aboard La Paloma, while she and Thursby travel separately.
A dangerous cargo
Jacobi carries an object whose value he does not need to understand for it to place him in danger. The arrangement gives Brigid a courier but no control over what happens at sea or in port.
Meeting at the Ship

Meeting at the Ship
Rivals converge
Brigid meets Jacobi aboard the ship. Casper Gutman, Joel Cairo, and Wilmer Cook later arrive and press her to surrender the bird.
A bargain apparently reached
The group leaves believing Brigid has agreed to cooperate, but she and Jacobi slip away with the parcel, frustrating the men who thought they had secured it.
The Flight from the Ship

The Flight from the Ship
An escape by night
Jacobi and Brigid leave the group after the meeting and separate themselves from the pursuers.
Danger follows ashore
Their escape succeeds only temporarily. Wilmer tracks Jacobi after the falcon moves from the ship, and the captain’s role shifts from courier to hunted witness.
Shot in the Alley

Shot in the Alley
A failed interception
Wilmer encounters Jacobi as the captain runs with the wrapped falcon. He shoots him several times, but Jacobi remains upright and gets away.
Survival long enough to deliver
A nearby policeman forces Wilmer to abandon the chase. Wounded and carrying the parcel, Jacobi continues toward Spade’s office.
A Fatal Delivery

A Fatal Delivery
Final collapse
Jacobi enters Spade’s office and falls before he can give a coherent account. The parcel rolls away from his hands.
The courier remembered
Spade opens the package and recognizes the falcon. Jacobi’s death completes his errand but leaves Spade to manage the evidence and the authorities.
Before La Paloma reaches San Francisco
The day after La Paloma arrives
Late that night
The following afternoon
After Jacobi reaches Spade’s office