The Counterfeit Revelation

The Maltese Falcon

The long-promised object fails its final test, breaking Gutman’s bargain and forcing Spade to decide what remains of the case.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Parcel Secured A Parcel Secured from "The Maltese Falcon". A Parcel Secured The bird concealed again After opening Jacobi’s parcel, Spade wraps the statuette back up and arranges for it to be stored at a parcel room.

A Parcel Secured from "The Maltese Falcon". A Parcel Secured The bird concealed again After opening Jacobi’s parcel, Spade wraps the statuette back up and arranges for it to be stored at a parcel room.

A Parcel Secured The bird concealed again After opening Jacobi’s parcel, Spade wraps the statuette back up and arranges for it to be stored at a parcel room. Custody without certainty He has the object but has not verified it. Concealing it protects his bargaining position and keeps Gutman from taking it before their terms are settled.

A Meeting at the Alexandria A Meeting at the Alexandria from "The Maltese Falcon". A Meeting at the Alexandria The gang assembles Casper Gutman, Joel Cairo, Wilmer Cook, and Brigid arrive at Spade’s apartment with weapons, expecting to…

A Meeting at the Alexandria from "The Maltese Falcon". A Meeting at the Alexandria The gang assembles Casper Gutman, Joel Cairo, Wilmer Cook, and Brigid arrive at Spade’s apartment with weapons, expecting to…

A Meeting at the Alexandria The gang assembles Casper Gutman, Joel Cairo, Wilmer Cook, and Brigid arrive at Spade’s apartment with weapons, expecting to negotiate for the falcon. Spade sets conditions He accepts the meeting but demands money and a fall guy. The apparent handover is tied to a larger effort to contain police suspicion.

A Bargain Tested A Bargain Tested from "The Maltese Falcon". A Bargain Tested The ten-thousand-dollar payment Gutman hands over an envelope of bills for the bird.

A Bargain Tested from "The Maltese Falcon". A Bargain Tested The ten-thousand-dollar payment Gutman hands over an envelope of bills for the bird.

A Bargain Tested The ten-thousand-dollar payment Gutman hands over an envelope of bills for the bird. Spade counts the money and complains that it is less than the earlier promise. A hidden subtraction When the group later finds only nine bills, the apparent shortfall makes trust another issue to settle before the falcon is delivered.

The Missing Bill The Missing Bill from "The Maltese Falcon". The Missing Bill A private search Spade takes Brigid into the bathroom and demands that she undress so he can determine whether she took the missing…

The Missing Bill from "The Maltese Falcon". The Missing Bill A private search Spade takes Brigid into the bathroom and demands that she undress so he can determine whether she took the missing…

The Missing Bill A private search Spade takes Brigid into the bathroom and demands that she undress so he can determine whether she took the missing thousand-dollar bill. Gutman exposed He finds no bill on her and concludes that Gutman palmed it. Gutman admits the trick, revealing that even the group’s negotiations are tests and deceptions.

The False Falcon The False Falcon from "The Maltese Falcon". The False Falcon Enamel stripped away Gutman scrapes the bird and finds lead beneath its black coating. The promised treasure is not there.

The False Falcon from "The Maltese Falcon". The False Falcon Enamel stripped away Gutman scrapes the bird and finds lead beneath its black coating. The promised treasure is not there.

The False Falcon Enamel stripped away Gutman scrapes the bird and finds lead beneath its black coating. The promised treasure is not there. Consequences remain The counterfeit ends the bargain but not its consequences: murders have occurred, Wilmer escapes, and Spade must decide how to deal with the people who sought it.

After Captain Jacobi reaches the office

Saturday night

Early the following morning

Before the falcon is fetched

Near the ending