'The Gutting of Couffignal' Summary

The Gutting of Couffignal is a crime fiction short story by Dashiell Hammett, first published in The Collier's Weekly on October 18, 1930. It is the first story in which Hammett's recurring detective character, the Continental Op, appears.

Plot

The story is set on a small, exclusive island called Couffignal, which is home to a number of wealthy and elderly residents. The Op is hired to guard the wedding presents of the Henderickson family, one of the island's most prominent families.

As the wedding reception is in full swing, a sudden storm cuts off the island's power. Masked robbers then attack, using machine guns and grenades to terrorize the residents. The Op manages to escape the initial attack, but he is soon caught up in the chaos as the robbers systematically loot the island's homes.

With the help of a recently escaped political refugee named Princess Zhukovski, the Op begins to track down the robbers. He discovers that the robbery was masterminded by a group of criminals known as the "Syndicate." The Syndicate is a powerful organization that has been operating in secret for years, and it has its own agenda for Couffignal.

As the Op closes in on the Syndicate, he uncovers a web of corruption and deceit that reaches the highest levels of Couffignal society. He also learns that the Henderickson family is not what they seem to be, and that they may have played a role in the robbery.

In a climactic showdown, the Op confronts the Syndicate leaders and brings them to justice. However, victory comes at a price, as the Op is forced to make some difficult decisions that will haunt him for years to come.

Themes

The Gutting of Couffignal explores a number of themes that are common in Hammett's work, including:

• The power of corruption: The story shows how corruption can undermine even the most powerful institutions. The Syndicate is able to operate with impunity because it has its hooks in the government and the police.
• The dangers of greed: The robbery is motivated by greed, and the robbers are willing to go to any lengths to get their hands on the Henderickson family's wealth.
• The importance of justice: The Op is a man of justice, and he is determined to bring the robbers to justice, even if it means going up against powerful forces.

Critical Reception

The Gutting of Couffignal is considered to be one of Hammett's best stories. It is praised for its suspenseful plot, its well-developed characters, and its sharp social commentary. The story has been adapted for film and television several times.