Chapter 17 Summary

The dirty tricks seem to end, but the excessive friendliness of the man he suspects of having approached him that night with the clandestine proposal becomes even more marked. Claggart looks at him with a "settled meditative and melancholy expression." Sometimes he even seems momentarily pained and sorrowful when he is looking at Billy. If he chances to come upon him suddenly, his eyes quickly flash, and his face reddens. Unfortunately, Billy is unaware of any of this.

Two minor officers, the armorer and captain of the hold, begin to look at Billy in such a way that an observant person would know that they had been influenced by Claggart since they are his messmates. Billy's popularity with the rest of the crew is such that he feels at ease and without suspicion. Why doesn't Billy question the afterguardsman who had approached him...