Chapter 11 – The Great Agra Treasure
Chapter 11 opens with a description of Small. The reader expects an unpleasant and
violent criminal, but Small shows ‘more sorrow than anger’ and has a ‘gleam of
something like humour in his eyes’. This humanises him and encourages the reader to
feel sympathy for him.
This sympathy is strengthened when Small speaks. He says that his ally, Tonga,
murdered Bartholomew, which Small feels ‘grieved’ about – he had ‘no quarrel’ with
Bartholomew. He confesses that he would have killed Major Sholto, hinting that he was
wronged by him.
Small is presented as a victim as well as a criminal, making him more complex. In
contrast, Tonga is portrayed as senselessly savage.
Watson takes the treasure chest to Mary with a ‘heavy heart’ – he thinks he will lose
her. However, the chest is empty. This is a turning point in Mary and Watson’s
relationship. The treasure is no longer a ‘barrier’ between them, so Watson is free to
confess his love for her.
Chapter 11 opens with a description of Small. The reader expects an unpleasant and
violent criminal, but Small shows ‘more sorrow than anger’ and has a ‘gleam of
something like humour in his eyes’. This humanises him and encourages the reader to
feel sympathy for him.
This sympathy is strengthened when Small speaks. He says that his ally, Tonga,
murdered Bartholomew, which Small feels ‘grieved’ about – he had ‘no quarrel’ with
Bartholomew. He confesses that he would have killed Major Sholto, hinting that he was
wronged by him.
Small is presented as a victim as well as a criminal, making him more complex. In
contrast, Tonga is portrayed as senselessly savage.
Watson takes the treasure chest to Mary with a ‘heavy heart’ – he thinks he will lose
her. However, the chest is empty. This is a turning point in Mary and Watson’s
relationship. The treasure is no longer a ‘barrier’ between them, so Watson is free to
confess his love for her.
