Gabriel Syme is a poet-philosopher who became a detective. Compare and contrast the two roles in the context of the story.

What is the meaning of the book’s title? Is Syme’s identity more important than the other characters? How does it relate to the overall theme of the book?

To enter the anarchist meeting chamber, Gregory gives the password, “Mr. Joseph Chamberlain.” Who is he and how is he associated with the anarchist philosophy?