The chapter opens with Marlowe visiting Nulty in his office. He says, “Nulty didn’t seem to be moved. He sat in his chair in the same attitude of sour patience. But there were two more cigar stubs in his ashtray and the floor was a little thicker in burnt matches” (36). Nulty says that they’re close to getting Malloy, but Marlowe doesn’t think so. While Nulty says that they have some cops following his whereabouts, Marlowe is convinced that they’re following a look-alike.

Marlowe tells Nulty about his investigation so far and gives him the picture of Velma he took from Jessie’s house. He tells Nulty that he believes Malloy is going after the person who turned him in eight years ago.

Marlowe is looking at a picture of Rembrandt on the calendar in his office. Marlowe notes that Rembrandt’s face is “aging, saggy, full of the disgust of life and the thickening effects of liquor. But it had a hard cheerfulness that I liked, and the eyes were as bright as drops of dew” (41).

The phone rings; it’s a man named Lindsay Marriott calling. He asks if Marlowe is a private investigator and if he can come to his house that night.