The Maltese Falcon: Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

That evening, Samuel Spade wakes in the middle of the night to a phone call and the news that someone has died. Rolling a cigarette then dressing, he leaves his apartment to meet the person who called.

The fog in the night blurs the streets as Spade makes his way to an alley where a group of men are huddled. Spade asks a police officer about Tom Polhaus, the police sergeant who phoned him. The officer directs him up the alley where he sees Polhaus examining the dead body of Miles Archer.

Polhaus shows Spade the English revolver that was used to kill Archer. Spade tells Polhaus about how Archer was on the job following Thursby. Spade appears emotionally detached at the sight of his dead partner and he refuses to inspect the body at Polhaus’ suggestion. He leaves Polhaus, claiming to need to tell Archer’s wife, Iva, about the murder. Instead, Spade goes to an all-night pharmacy and calls Effie, asking her to let Iva know about Archer’s death.

Spade returns home, drinks three glasses of Bacardi, and starts rolling his fifth cigarette when Polhaus and Lieutenant Dundy knock at his door. When the officers ask if Spade told Iva about the death, he lies and says he did. Spade offers them a drink, but only Polhaus accepts. When they ask about Spade’s gun, he tells them he doesn’t carry one. Dundy expresses doubt and Spade, getting angry at their apparent suspicion, demands that Dundy tell him what’s going on.

Dundy openly accuses Spade of slipping up and demands more info on Thursby and the client who wanted him followed. Spade says he doesn’t know anything else about Thursby and that he doesn’t disclose his clients’ identities until he has their permission. Dundy threatens Spade with legal action, telling him he’s withholding information in a murder case, but Spade coolly responds with outward indifference and mockery. Trying to provoke Spade, Dundy reveals that thirty minutes after Spade left the crime scene, Thursby was shot outside of the hotel where he was staying.

Dundy states that Spade had ample time, a motive, and enough information about Thursby to hunt him down. Spade continues to drink, mocking Dundy while Polhaus tries to calm everyone’s tempers. After the officers provide Spade with the details of the murder, Spade candidly repeats that he knows nothing about the crime. The officers appear satisfied, but before leaving Dundy says that although he would find little fault in a man who seeks revenge for his partner, he would also have no problem putting that man in jail. Spade agrees and Dundy finally accepts his offer for a drink.