Part 2, Chapter 5 Summary

Peter Exley, a soldier whom Aldred is credited with saving, arrives in Hong Kong, only to find that his lodging arrangements have been lost, and that housing is scarce. Peter is an Australian soldier on loan to the British Army and a prosecutor of war criminals; he writes to Aldred about his experiences. A deposed Captain invites Peter to dine aboard his ship. A discussion of the war and its comparison to murder are broached, and Peter writes of his experiences. In the autumn, Peter celebrates his birthday with three coworkers, women, from his office. His lack of companionship weighs on him, and he begins to adopt the lassitude of his roommate, a predilection he fails to notice until Aldred travels to visit him.

Part 2, Chapter 5 Analysis

The author uses this opportunity to introduce Peter Exley. In the first person narrative...