Part Two, Chapter III - IV Summary

In Chapter III, Esch and Frau Hentjen become lovers. Esch begins to follow up on a rumor that he heard, that Bertrand is a homosexual. Esch begins to frequent homosexual haunts and talk to male prostitutes, asking for information about Bertrand. Finally he is directed to a man named Harry, who supposedly spent weeks on the boat with Bertrand. When he locates him, Harry confesses that he fell in love with Bertrand and will never be the same again. Esch is disturbed in many ways, and unsure about what to do. He clings to the idea of moving to America. He loves Frau Hentjen but despises her, and cannot understand why he desires her so much. He decides to go to Mannheim and tries to get Erna and Lohberg's investment money back to...