The Secret Agent

Leaving his office, the Assistant Commissioner goes directly to his superior, Sir Ethelred. Sir Ethelred is the Home Secretary of Great Britain; he is unconcerned by the finer details, but he wants to know whether “this is the beginning of another dynamite campaign” (100). The Assistant Commissioner delivers his report about the bombing and criticizes “the existence of secret agents” (102), which he believes should not be tolerated. The Assistant Commissioner also voices concerns about Chief Inspector Heat, noting Heat’s affinity for developing close connections with untrustworthy people such as Mr. Verloc. Such people, he believes, could potentially cause more harm than good. However, he outlines his plan to speak directly to Verloc about the bombing. In exchange for information about the “true objective” (104), the shadowy figure who recruited Verloc, he will offer Verloc immunity from prosecution. Sir Ethelred approves the plan and tells the Assistant Commissioner to keep him updated.

Leaving Sir Ethelred’s office, the Assistant Commissioner talks to Sir Ethelred’s young secretary, Toodles, about Sir Ethelred’s plans to nationalize the fishing industry in Britain, then returns to his department. Afterward, he dines at an Italian restaurant, viewing the other diners as people who are “as denationalized as the dishes set before them” (109). Then, the Assistant Commissioner heads to Mr. Verloc’s store.

Before the bombing in Greenwich Park, Winnie’s mother decides to move out of Verloc’s house and into a charity house for “destitute widows” of the innkeeping trade (112). She has come to the decision to lessen the financial burden of her care on her daughter and son-in-law. She views this as an “act of devotion” (119). As she travels with Stevie and Winnie in a cab to the charity house, Stevie becomes increasingly agitated by the harsh way in which the driver whips the horse. He asks the driver not to be so violent, but the driver insists that this is how he makes money to feed his family. Winnie struggles to understand her brother’s reaction and her mother’s decision. She feels a “special sense of sisterly devotion” toward her brother (125), who was abused by their late father. She appreciates the way in which Stevie looks up to Verloc rather than his actual father. However, she is resolute in her belief that “things do not stand much looking into” (130). After dropping off their mother, Winnie and Stevie travel home and dine with Mr. Verloc, who seems in a sullen mood. That night, as they lay in bed, Mr. Verloc reveals to Winnie that he must take an unexpected trip to Europe.

After Verloc’s return from Europe, Winnie suggests that her husband should try to spend time with Stevie. She wishes that her husband and Stevie would develop a close relationship, so that Verloc will be better disposed to supporting Stevie. In response to his wife’s suggestion, Verloc allows Stevie to accompany him on his regular walks with the anarchists. These walks make Stevie excited. This pleases Winnie, who likens the pair to a “father and son” (137). Verloc muses on the idea of sending Stevie on a trip to the cottage which is provided for Michaelis by his wealthy benefactor. He insists that Stevie will be “all safe with Michaelis” (139).

On the evening after the bombing, Verloc returns home with all his money in a leather pouch. He has withdrawn all his money from the bank. In a disgruntled mood, he speaks to his wife about “the expediency of emigrating” (142). Though she is very suspicious of her husband’s behavior, Winnie remains deliberately detached from events. Her “only real concern [is] Stevie’s welfare” (143). Rather than worrying about Verloc, she dismisses his odd behavior as a cold.

A man whom Winnie does not know arrives at Verloc’s store. He invites Verloc to go out of the store for a walk. Winnie notes that Verloc seems “scared and bewildered beyond measure” as he exits (147). He also hands her the pocketbook with all the money withdrawn from the bank. While they are out, Chief Inspector Heat arrives at the shop. He talks to Winnie and tells her about the bomb attack. She had no idea that a bomb exploded in Greenwich Park. Heat shows her the scrap of cloth with Verloc’s address. She recognizes the cloth: It is a part of Stevie’s coat. Heat deduces that Verloc and Stevie must be involved in the bombing somehow. Mr. Verloc returns to the store. He goes with Heat into the back parlor. Winnie stations herself outside the door to listen to their conversation “with her ear to the keyhole” (152). Verloc tells Heat to arrest him, but Heat suggests that he should run away. As Winnie listens in, Verloc tells Heat that the person who died in the bomb attack was Stevie, but he blames “a hyperborean swine” for making him do it (155). Winnie is shocked.