The Secret Agent: Characters, Plot, and Intrigue
The Secret Agent: Characters and Plot
Key Characters
- Adolf Verloc: A big, heavy man with a fat, smooth face and large eyes. He was notably lazy. Living in London, he was an anarchist and a secret agent for a foreign embassy. He ran a poorly lit shop selling newspapers, European magazines, and writing materials.
- Vladimir: The new First Secretary at the Embassy, described as slim and handsome.
- Winnie Verloc: Adolf Verloc’s wife, a dark-haired, pretty, and neatly dressed woman, some years younger than her husband.
- Winnie’s Mother: An elderly woman with swollen legs, making walking difficult for her.
- Stevie: Winnie’s brother, small, thin, and in his early twenties. He was slightly mentally retarded. His deceased father had hated him for his condition and used to beat him.
- Michaelis: Verloc’s friend and a famous anarchist. He had spent 15 years in prison for a murder he didn’t commit and lived in a small village.
- Alexander Ossipon: Another of Verloc’s anarchist friends. He had blond hair and big blue eyes but wasn’t a very nice person – lazy, greedy, and involved with several girlfriends. He gave classes on hygiene to working men and wrote anarchist pamphlets.
- The Professor: A small man who wore old clothes and round glasses. He appeared harmless, but rumors suggested he was a man to fear. He constantly wore a small box tied to his chest containing a bomb, with the detonator in his pocket as protection against police arrest.
- Chief Inspector Heat: A detective in the London police force.
- Assistant Commissioner: Chief Inspector Heat’s boss, a tall, thin, and always well-dressed man.
Plot Developments
The Embassy Meeting
Verloc is summoned to meet Vladimir, the new First Secretary at the Embassy. Vladimir tasks Verloc with bombing the Greenwich Observatory, arguing that England is becoming too liberal. Verloc is given one month to carry out the bombing; if he fails, the Embassy will terminate his services. This assignment adds pressure, as the money Verloc earned from his shop was insufficient to support his family (Winnie, her mother, and Stevie).
Verloc’s Behavior Changes
Winnie noticed a change in her husband’s behavior; Verloc seemed strange and preoccupied.
Seeking Assistance
Verloc needed help to carry the bomb and place it in the Observatory. He involved Stevie in his plan.
Anarchist Encounters
Verloc and Stevie are seen walking together. Meanwhile, Alexander Ossipon meets with the Professor in a beer hall.
The Greenwich Bombing
News breaks of a bomb explosion in Greenwich Park – an attempt to blow up the Observatory.
The Investigation Begins
The Assistant Commissioner orders Chief Inspector Heat to investigate the Greenwich Park bombing.
At the Morgue
Investigators find body parts and a small pile of torn and burned pieces of clothing.
Witness Account
Witnesses describe seeing two men near the scene: one big and heavy, the other small and thin, carrying a bag and wearing a blue coat.
Key Clue
A crucial piece of evidence is found: a piece of blue cloth with an address tag: 32 Brett Street – the location of Verloc’s shop.
Verloc’s Return and Confession
Verloc came home terrified, shivering, with red eyes. He told Winnie they had to leave England immediately, but she thought he was talking nonsense or was ill.
The shop doorbell rang, making Verloc extremely nervous, confused, pale, and seemingly paralyzed. He gave his wallet to Winnie just before the door rang again.
It was Chief Inspector Heat.
Heat suggested to Verloc that the Assistant Commissioner would likely blame foreign anarchists for the bombing. He implied that arresting Verloc would reflect poorly on the police, showing they hadn’t adequately monitored anarchist groups.
Verloc confessed to Winnie that Stevie was the one carrying the bomb and had accidentally detonated it. He explained he had to orchestrate the bombing because he feared losing his job at the Embassy.
Winnie’s Revenge
Devastated by Stevie’s death and Verloc’s callousness, Winnie took a large knife from a drawer. While Verloc rested on the sofa, she pushed the knife deep into his chest, killing him.
Aftermath and Escape Plan
Winnie later encountered Alexander Ossipon. She confessed she never loved Verloc and had only married him for security for her mother and brother. She needed to leave England immediately.
Ossipon agreed to help her escape, planning a route via St. Malo in France, then to Paris. He took Verloc’s money from Winnie.
Betrayal
They boarded a train. However, as the train began to move, Ossipon quickly opened the carriage door and jumped off, abandoning Winnie and keeping the money.