The Comrades and the Criminal Alliance

The Secret of Chimneys

This thread traces the Comrades of the Red Hand from revolutionary hostility to their uncertain cooperation with King Victor’s search for the jewel.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Revolutionary Recruitment A Revolutionary Recruitment from "The Secret of Chimneys". Angèle Mory Recruited The Comrades of the Red Hand attempt to use Angèle Mory to draw King Nicholas IV into their reach.

A Revolutionary Recruitment from "The Secret of Chimneys". Angèle Mory Recruited The Comrades of the Red Hand attempt to use Angèle Mory to draw King Nicholas IV into their reach.

Angèle Mory Recruited The Comrades of the Red Hand attempt to use Angèle Mory to draw King Nicholas IV into their reach. She accepts their offer but pursues her own ambition and becomes queen instead. A Betrayal Remembered Her transformation from operative to monarch angers the organization. Their hostility will outlast the revolution and shape the danger she faces while hiding in England.

An Emblematic Threat An Emblematic Threat from "The Secret of Chimneys". The Red Hand Appears A Comrades of the Red Hand agent threatens Anthony Cade and demands Count Stylptitch’s memoirs.

An Emblematic Threat from "The Secret of Chimneys". The Red Hand Appears A Comrades of the Red Hand agent threatens Anthony Cade and demands Count Stylptitch’s memoirs.

The Red Hand Appears A Comrades of the Red Hand agent threatens Anthony Cade and demands Count Stylptitch’s memoirs. The red hand mark is intended to signal revolutionary authority and intimidate its target. A Convenient Signature The group’s theatrical violence makes it an obvious suspect in later crimes. Superintendent Battle eventually recognizes that an emblem can be planted to direct attention away from the actual intelligence behind a murder.

Giuseppe’s Misunderstanding Giuseppe’s Misunderstanding from "The Secret of Chimneys". A Thief Becomes Suspicious Giuseppe Manelli takes Virginia Revel’s letters instead of the memoirs and pursues private blackmail.

Giuseppe’s Misunderstanding from "The Secret of Chimneys". A Thief Becomes Suspicious Giuseppe Manelli takes Virginia Revel’s letters instead of the memoirs and pursues private blackmail.

A Thief Becomes Suspicious Giuseppe Manelli takes Virginia Revel’s letters instead of the memoirs and pursues private blackmail. The Comrades of the Red Hand may interpret his independent scheme as evidence that he has betrayed their mission. A Violent Organization Their reputed habit of punishing suspected traitors makes Giuseppe Manelli’s later murder plausible as an internal execution. Battle remains unsure whether the group acted alone or with King Victor.

A Shared Search A Shared Search from "The Secret of Chimneys". Rivals in One Hideout Anthony Cade overhears Comrades of the Red Hand members arguing with French associates at the Dover house.

A Shared Search from "The Secret of Chimneys". Rivals in One Hideout Anthony Cade overhears Comrades of the Red Hand members arguing with French associates at the Dover house.

Rivals in One Hideout Anthony Cade overhears Comrades of the Red Hand members arguing with French associates at the Dover house. They refer to King Victor as the boss and complain about waiting for action. Cooperation Without Trust The groups are prepared to work together over the jewel despite different habits and temperaments. Their alliance is unstable, a fact that helps Anthony Cade exploit divisions and reach the captive.

The Organization Disperses The Organization Disperses from "The Secret of Chimneys". A Message from the False Detective King Victor uses the M. Lemoine disguise to tell the Dover group to disperse after his plans change.

The Organization Disperses from "The Secret of Chimneys". A Message from the False Detective King Victor uses the M. Lemoine disguise to tell the Dover group to disperse after his plans change.

A Message from the False Detective King Victor uses the M. Lemoine disguise to tell the Dover group to disperse after his plans change. Anthony Cade and Hiram P. Fish prevent communication from exposing the trap too soon. A Conspiracy Disarmed The Comrades’ presence helps explain the threats and searches, but they do not control the final outcome. Their alliance with King Victor breaks down as the jewel and the murder are resolved.

During King Nicholas IV’s visit to Paris

October 5 in London

After the letters are stolen

Monday evening at Hurstmere

Before the October 13 gathering