Chapter 20 (Holmes): Summary, Key Events, and Study Notes

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Summary

On Sunday evening, April 22, 1821, aboard the brig Aquila in the Bay of Naples, Holmes writes a short letter to Mari. He tells her that the ship's itinerary has shifted and that he will arrive in Positano sooner than expected. Quinto has just instructed the men to have their mail ready by seven the next morning, when a dispatch boat will carry letters and the captain's documents into the city.

Later that night, Holmes is awakened by the sounds of a tender arriving—the hiss of ropes, the groan of wood, the cry of pulleys. Unable to fall back asleep because of a snoring shipmate, he lights a candle and reaches for his diary. His pen is missing, so he reads old entries instead. One entry from December of the previous year recalls a rendezvous with Mari in Positano. He remembers waiting for her in a grove, eating olives, and then their passionate encounter. She brought figs, told him she had feigned illness to stay home, and later collected the olive pits he had spit onto the ground, wanting to keep them as a memento. The memory is tender and intimate, showing the depth of their connection.

Still restless, Holmes climbs to the deck, intending to smoke. He passes the second mate's cabin and notices the padlock is unlocked, but he doesn't dare investigate. On the main deck, he ducks behind a capstan when he hears whispered voices near the officers' cabins. It's Quinto and the captain. Quinto is grieving, repeating the name Massimo Mazza. He explains that Matteo Mazza, Massimo's brother, boarded the ship a short while ago and is now in the second mate's cabin. Matteo has brought news of Massimo's death.

Quinto tells the captain that a woman with impossibly red hair drowned Massimo, using the sea against him as if it were at her command. Matteo was some distance away but watched it happen. The woman was accompanied by a young girl, whom Matteo managed to seize. Quinto reveals that they are under a directive to seize all redheaded women and take them to Ischia's Castello Aragonese. The child—about six or seven years old—is already there, along with another woman and two sisters delivered the previous day via the Lupo. The woman who killed Massimo, however, escaped by throwing herself from the tender into the water. They believe she swam back to shore.

The captain asks if they know her name. Quinto says that Matteo heard the other women calling to her the night they almost captured her: her name is Mari. Holmes, hidden behind the capstan, realizes with dread that Mari is the woman they're hunting. He also learns that the winds have shifted, and a storm is approaching, but they are speeding toward Positano to find her before she can flee.

Holmes returns belowdecks, tears up his original letter, and writes a new one warning Mari to flee. He tells her that Matteo is on the brig and that they are coming straight for her. His handwriting is shaky, betraying his turmoil. He drops the letter into the mailbag in time for the dispatch boat. But he isn't satisfied with merely hoping the letter arrives before the ship does. He resolves to take a dangerous risk—one that could lead to flogging or being tied to the mast if he's caught—to guarantee the letter reaches Mari in time.

Key Events

Holmes writes a letter to Mari about his early arrival in Positano.
He wakes to the sound of a tender arriving and reads an old diary entry about a December rendezvous with Mari.
He goes on deck and overhears Quinto and the captain discussing Massimo Mazza's death.
Matteo Mazza reports that a woman with impossibly red hair drowned Massimo, using the sea against him.
The woman was with a young girl, whom Matteo seized.
Quinto reveals a directive to seize all redheaded women and take them to Ischia's Castello Aragonese.
The woman who killed Massimo escaped by jumping into the water and swimming away.
The captain and Quinto learn that the woman's name is Mari and that they are heading to Positano to find her.
Holmes tears up his original letter and writes a new one warning Mari to flee.
He decides to take a dangerous risk to ensure the letter reaches her before the ship arrives.

Character Development

Holmes emerges as a man of deep loyalty and courage. His initial letter is affectionate and practical, but the overheard conversation transforms his purpose. He doesn't hesitate to discard his original message and compose a warning, even though his trembling hand reveals his fear. His decision to risk flogging or worse—rather than rely on the postal service—shows a willingness to sacrifice his own safety for Mari's. The diary entry he reads underscores his emotional investment: he remembers intimate details, like the olive pits she kept, and his admiration for her bravery is clear when he thinks, How brave you are, my Mari. He also demonstrates quick thinking, hiding behind a capstan and remaining still to avoid detection.

Mari is not physically present, but her character is illuminated through Holmes's memories and the officers' report. She is resourceful and fearless—she feigned illness to meet Holmes, and she used the sea to drown a powerful man. Her escape by swimming shows her physical prowess and determination. The fact that she was with a young girl suggests she may have been protecting someone, adding layers to her motivations.

Quinto is shown grieving for his friend Massimo, repeating his name and saying My friend is dead. Yet he remains dutiful, carrying out the directive to seize redheaded women. His loyalty to the mission and to his dead friend creates a tension between personal emotion and professional obligation.

The captain is compliant and pragmatic, asking practical questions about the captives and the winds. He doesn't question the morality of seizing women based on hair color, focusing instead on logistics.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Eavesdropping and secrecy: Holmes's hidden position behind the capstan allows him to learn the truth, but it also places him in danger. The act of listening without being seen becomes a turning point, forcing him to act on knowledge he isn't supposed to have.
Red hair as a marker: The directive to seize all redheaded women turns a physical trait into a death sentence. Mari's red hair makes her identifiable and vulnerable, symbolizing how society can weaponize appearance.
Sacrifice and risk-taking: Holmes's decision to risk punishment to deliver his letter highlights the lengths he will go for love. The chapter ends with his resolve, emphasizing that love sometimes demands dangerous choices.
The approaching storm: The shift in winds and the impending storm mirror the rising tension and the urgency of Holmes's mission. Nature itself seems to conspire against them, adding to the sense of impending danger.
Letter writing as a lifeline: Letters are a recurring motif—Holmes's original letter, the diary entry, and the new warning all serve as attempts to bridge distance and protect Mari. The act of writing becomes an act of love and desperation.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a pivotal turning point in the novel. It reveals the central conflict: Mari is accused of murdering a powerful man, and the authorities are actively hunting her. Holmes's discovery of this threat transforms his role from a passive lover to an active protector. The chapter also introduces the directive to seize redheaded women, raising stakes not just for Mari but for an entire community. The reader learns that Mari has already been involved in violence, suggesting a backstory of danger and resistance. Holmes's decision to risk everything to warn her sets up the central tension of the next chapters: will his letter arrive in time, and what will he do when the ship reaches Positano? The chapter also deepens the romance by showing Holmes's unwavering commitment, even in the face of mortal danger.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Holmes decide to tear up his original letter and write a new one?

Holmes originally wrote a simple letter informing Mari of his early arrival. After overhearing Quinto and the captain, he learns that Mari is the woman accused of killing Massimo Mazza and that the crew is heading to Positano to capture her. The original letter would have been useless—it contained no warning. He writes a new letter telling her that Matteo is on the brig and that they are coming for her, urging her to flee.

What does the diary entry from December reveal about Holmes and Mari's relationship?

The diary entry shows a deeply intimate and passionate relationship. Holmes recalls waiting for Mari in a grove, their physical encounter, and her playful act of collecting olive pits as a keepsake. It reveals that they have known each other for nearly seven months and that Mari is willing to deceive her family to meet him. The entry underscores the strength of their bond, making Holmes's later risk-taking more understandable.

How does the chapter use the motif of eavesdropping to advance the plot?

Eavesdropping is the mechanism that delivers crucial information to Holmes. By hiding behind a capstan, he learns about Massimo's death, the directive to seize redheaded women, and Mari's name. This knowledge forces him to act, transforming him from a passive observer into an active participant. It also creates dramatic irony—the reader knows what Holmes knows, while Mari remains unaware of the danger.