Chapter 2 Summary

The butler leads Marlowe to a very hot greenhouse. Marlowe immediately regrets his decision to dress nicely for his interview with General Sternwood. Marlowe is not only sweating profusely he is being smacked in the face by the tropical plants that fill the interior of the greenhouse.

Eventually, the butler leads Marlowe to the wheelchair-bound General Sternwood, who sits in the oppressive head covered by blankets. Needless to say, Marlowe is shocked that the General can tolerate the heat of the greenhouse; much less the heat of the blankets, but the General thinks nothing of it. The general does; however, he tells Marlowe to take off his jacket, since he realizes that it is too hot, "for a man with blood in his veins." (22) Marlowe is more than happy to comply.

Eventually, General Sternwood explains his reasons for summoning Marlowe. The General has...