|
|
|
The Bat & The Criminals' Confederation
NOTE: This criminal profile is being constructed as the stories are read and must therefore be regarded as incomplete and work in progress.
Introduction to this Crime Organisation for the Benefit of New Readers
So entwined are the destinies of Dirk Dolland — aka 'The Bat' — and that extraordinary organisation known as the Criminals' Confederation, that both must be considered together. Sexton Blake has, in his long career, encountered many 'gentleman cracksmen'. Aubrey Dexter, for example, is a fine specimen of that roguish species. But none has been quite as mischevious as ex-music hall artist Dirk Dolland. A thief, conjurer, mimic, quick-change artist and trickster without equal, this young man has allowed a buccaneering spirit to overtake any regard for law and order. He steals not because he covets other men's property, not because he requires wealth or luxuries, but because he regards burglary as a sport; it is a challenge, a thrill, a means to alleviate boredom. To increase his enjoyment, he is in the habit of forewarning the police before commiting one of his audacious raids. Somehow, no matter how devious their traps, his cunning is always greater and the authorities are left with red faces. For The Bat, crime is a game which should be played with good sportsmanship and — though it may seem a contradiction — with honour. For this reason, when he becomes entangled with a more serious variety of villain, Dolland is more likely to side with Right than with Wrong. This was never more apparent than when he fell in with the greatest criminal organisation of all time — The Confederation. Imagine a web of criminals enveloping the entire globe; each individual villain guided by the great, overpowering will of one man. This is the Criminals' Confederation. An international 'trade union' of crooks, the nefarious organisation is so vast and so veiled in secrecy that, initially, the police authorities doubt that it even exists. At it's head, like a spider in the centre of a gigantic web, lies the nebulous figure of John Smith. Seemingly a nobody, he is the powerhouse that drives this mighty engine of crime. But it is one of his lieutenants, the mysterious Mr. Reece, who causes Sexton Blake the most problems. Indeed, such is his manipulative cunning that Mr. Reece eventually overthrows John Smith's presidency and, under his guiding hand, the Confederation grows ever more daring and powerful. The Confederation story is so long and complex that it had to be told three times, each account adding further revelations. In this overview, we shall go right back to the earliest glimmerings, to Sexton Blake's first encounters with Dirk Dolland, to his initial battles with Mr. Reece, to the first revelation of the Confederation's existence, and to Dirk Dolland's redemption and the commencement of Blake's long battle with the ultimate in villainous societies. Chronology First Encounters: 1. The Hidden Hand (UNION JACK issue 680, 1916) Detective-Inspector Coutts, Sexton Blake and Tinker are led a merry chase by an expert conjurer, cracksman, quick-change artist and mimic known as The Bat. Blake eventually exposes his true identity as ex-music hall artist Dirk Dolland — but fails to prevent the gentleman crook's escape. 2. A Case of Arson (UNION JACK issue 698, 1917) Dirk Dolland, together with three other criminals, pulls off a massive insurance swindle. But when his fellow gang-members attempt to drown Sexton Blake, The Bat steps in and rescues him. In return, Blake allows Dolland to escape while the other crooks are rounded up. 3. The Two Impersonators (UNION JACK issue 709, 1917) 4. The Mysterious Mr. Reece (THE SEXTON BLAKE LIBRARY 1st series issue 41, 1917) A well-organised criminal gang, headed by the elusive Mr. Reece, is wreaking havoc. Blake manages to break up its operations after being given crucial information by Dirk Dolland. In return, he allows The Bat to go free but orders him out of the country. 5. The Vanished Man (UNION JACK issue 747, 1918) An eminent Egyptologist is nearly stabbed to death, apparently by his partner. But the presence of an ancient treasure is responsible for a tangled web of lust, murder and revenge which Dirk Dolland helps Sexton Blake to unravel. 6. The Bogus Bat (UNION JACK issue 751, 1918) Sexton Blake receives a telegram from Dirk Dolland warning him that a criminal duo is impersonating The Bat and The Butterfly. With the help of Detective-Inspector Coutts, Blake brings the culprits to justice, though not before being rescued by the real Dolland. 7. The Mystery of the Vlao Vase (UNION JACK issue 753, 1918) The Bat steals a valuable vase and swindles two collectors into buying it. He makes a fortune but is falsely blamed for subsequent burglaries against his two victims. Sexton Blake gets to the truth but once again fails to catch Dirk Dolland. 8. A Mid-Ocean Mystery (UNION JACK issue 763, 1918) Sexton Blake and Tinker are aboard an America-bound liner unaware that Dirk Dolland is also aboard. Mr. Reece has sent assassins to kill all three in revenge for their interference in his affairs. The killers are defeated and Dolland tricks Blake into transporting a stolen necklace on his behalf. 9. The Lost Letter (UNION JACK issue 767, 1918) Sexton Blake and Dirk Dolland are taken prisoner by Mr. Reece and narrowly escape being hanged by their necks. Tinker comes to their rescue. 10. The Case of the Clubfooted Man (UNION JACK issue 775, 1918) Inspector Coutts catches Dirk Dolland, who has been tricked by another villain. Blake captures the culprit and Dolland escapes from custody. 11. The Vanished Police (UNION JACK issue 778, 1918) A massive crime-wave hits London and policemen start to vanish. Blake discovers that Mr. Reece is behind the plot. He and Tinker are captured and meet Reece for the first time before escaping and rounding up most of the gang. 12. Suspended From Duty (UNION JACK issue 779, 1918) Detective-Inspector Coutts is suspended from duty after failing to capture Dirk Dolland. He is humiliated by a braggardly fellow officer. Dolland exposes this officer as a fool before allowing himself to be captured by Coutts. 13. The Steel Claw (UNION JACK issue 782, 1918) Mr. Reece is the guiding hand behind a villain who is stealing money from Sir Henry Carles. But when the job is done, Reece has no further use for the petty criminal and kills him. Blake and the police corner him but Reece tricks them and escapes. 14. The Silent Partner (UNION JACK issue 787, 1918) The Butterfly arranges a cunning scheme by which Sexton Blake and Detective-Inspector Coutts are left confused by Dirk Dolland's double while the real Bat escapes from Moorlands Prison. 15. The Amazing Affair at Clanmere Mansions (UNION JACK issue 790, 1918) A thief, commissioned to steal a diamond by Mr. Reece, asks Dirk Dolland to help him double-cross the master criminal. In response, Reece goes on a murderous rampage which draws Sexton Blake into the affair. Blake saves Dolland and recovers the gem but cannot capture Reece. The detective and the cracksman swear to hunt Reece and make him answer for his crimes... ... 16. Dirk Dolland's Redemption (UNION JACK issue 791, 1918) A lawyer has been killed and diamonds stolen and all the evidence points to Dirk Dolland as the criminal responsible. But things aren't what they seem. Dolland does battle with the real perpetrator of these crimes — Mr Reece — and retrieves the gems. Reece escapes but is presumed drowned at sea. 17. The Clue of the Cuff Link (UNION JACK issue 797, 1919) In this non-Confederation story Dirk Dolland helps guide Sexton Blake to the truth after the detective formulates a completely false theory relating to a robbery. 18. The Case of the Black Feather (UNION JACK issue 802, 1919) In a tale of multiple disguises, Sexton Blake gets on the trail of The Bat and both men find themselves under threat by a man they had thought dead — Mr. Reece! Dolland and Blake once again commit themselves to the hunting of the arch-criminal. The Battle Commences: 19. The Missing Crooks (UNION JACK issue 806, 1919) Criminals in Britain, Europe and America are mysteriously vanishing. The death of an old jewel thief sets Blake on the trail and he discovers that a new organisation named the Criminals' Confederation is behind the disappearances. He captures one of its lieutenants — Mr Reece — but the master crook vows to be free within a week. 20. Tracked by Wireless (UNION JACK issue 807, 1919) Sexton Blake and Detective-Inspector Coutts fall foul of Sir Philip Champion, a high ranking officer in the Confederation. Champion evades them, taking with him a number of new recruits and Mr Reece, who has escaped from police custody. He also takes Tinker, who is to be held hostage to encourage Blake to give up his pursuit. 21. Held As Hostage (UNION JACK issue 808, 1919) Blake asks Dirk Dolland to resume his criminal activities in order that he be invited to join the Criminals' Confederation. Dolland does so and soon finds himself aboard the Confederations' floating headquarters, the Liberty. He rescues Tinker and both men are picked up by Blake in a torpedo ship. 22. The White Liner (UNION JACK issue 812, 1919) Sir Philip Champion attempts to blackmail three businessmen into supplying the Confederation with coal, shipping and financial services. When the contract they sign is blown out of a window, the criminal finds himself battling Sexton Blake and Dirk Dolland for its possession. Ultimately, it is burned and the Confederation thus suffers a setback. 23. The Stolen Yacht (UNION JACK issue 816, 1919) John Smith, president of the Confederation, spins an elaborate plot to trick Sexton Blake into helping him smuggle a million pounds worth of stolen gold bullion out of the country. The plan succeeds and, as an added bonus for the Confederation, Dirk Dolland is captured to face trial and execution for his earlier betrayal of the organisation. Blake, Tinker and Detective-Inspector Coutts are set adrift in a lifeboat. 24. Dirk Dolland's Ordeal (UNION JACK issue 820, 1919) Blake and his companions are picked up by a cargo ship whose captain has been tricked into helping the Confederation. He sails to a rendezvous with the Liberty and weighs anchor alongside the liner. During the night, Blake rescues Dirk Dolland and the group manage to sail away after first blowing up the Confederation's wireless equipment. 25. The Masquerader (SEXTON BLAKE LIBRARY 1st series issue 85, 1919) 26. The Diamond of Disaster (UNION JACK issue 824, 1919) Returning to England, convinced that they've dealt the Confederation a mortal blow, Sexton Blake and his friends find that they are mistaken. John Smith & Co. are alive and well, having settled on a remote and unmapped island in the South Atlantic. After kidnapping millionaire Gregory Canning's son, Smith now returns to England masquerading as Canning in order to sell a priceless but seemingly cursed diamond. Blake manages to uncover the scheme but Smith escapes in Canning's expensive yacht. 27. Sinister Island (UNION JACK issue 829, 1919) The Confederation conducts piracy on the high seas from its base on an uncharted volcanic island. Intending to find its location and rescue Gregory Canning's son, Blake sails with a cargo ship, disguised as its first mate. Sure enough, the Confederation boards the ship and the crew are taken to the island as prisoners. 28. The Man from the Sea (UNION JACK issue 830, 1919) Tinker, Dirk Dolland, Coutts, Richard Test and Gregory Canning are captured by the Confederation. Tinker accidentally reveals that Sexton Blake is on the organisation's island base. The detective, meanwhile, escapes with Canning's son and manages to liberate his friends as they arrive. They all sail away as the island erupts behind them, seemingly spelling the end for the Criminals' Confederation. 29. The Trail in the Sand (UNION JACK issue 838, 1919) Sexton Blake is called to Pencombe Cove in Cornwall, where a number of mysterious events have occurred: there have been two murders, cattle has gone missing, and a number of men have been seen mysteriously emerging from the sea. His investigations are interrupted by repeated attempts on his life. Tinker is then kidnapped but manages to leave a note for the Baker Street detective: he has been captured by John Smith, Mr. Reece, Sir Philip Champion and forty surviving members of the Criminals' Confederation. According to Tinker, they are taking him to London... ... 30. Mr. Smith of London (UNION JACK issue 841, 1919) Dirk Dolland is persuaded by Mlle. Yvonne to steal a document that details the plans of the Criminals' Confederation. Dolland makes the attempt but ultimately the document is retrieved by the villains. Mr. Smith approaches Sexton Blake and offers to return the kidnapped Tinker in exchange for the detective's vow that he will cease to hunt Confederation members. Blake refuses. A booby-trapped Tinker is delivered to Baker Street. Yvonne steps in and prevents Blake from tripping the explosive device. 31. The Informer (UNION JACK issue 858, 1920) The Criminals' Confederation has set up new headquarters somewhere in London and is prospering despite the efforts of Sexton Blake and Scotland Yard. However, its success is threatened when one of its members makes a deal with Blake. He will reveal the organisation's location in return for amnesty, a reward and relocation. The Confederation acts quickly — it poisons the informer and kidnaps Sexton Blake and Mlle. Yvonne. 32. The Hidden Headquarters (UNION JACK issue 860, 1920) Sexton Blake manages to escape from the Confederation's headquarters via the sewers. Though he can't retrace his steps to locate the hidden base, a message he smuggled out earlier provides a clue which leads to the Hotel Argent. The HQ is located below the hotel but an alarm is sounded and the members of the criminal organisation manage to escape with Yvonne still in their clutches. The Rise of Mr. Reece: 33. The New President (UNION JACK issue 868, 1920) While the police search the Hotel Argent, the Confederation kidnaps the Home Secretary and Sir Henry Fairfax and offers to return them in exchange for ten undisturbed minutes in the building. This is agreed to and a Confederation man retrieves something from a hidden compartment in the hotel. Meanwhile, Mr. Reece proposes that Blake & Co. must be killed outright. Though John Smith objects, he is out-voted. Blake and his friends are tricked into visiting a film studio where they are joined by Yvonne, tied up and left to burn. Pedro saves the day. The Confederation flees the country in a yacht. 34. Dirk Dolland's Dilemma (UNION JACK issue 869, 1920) Smith, Champion and Reece are reported dead after their yacht sinks in a storm. Detective-Inspector Coutts positively identifies their bodies. Meanwhile, Dirk Dolland finds himself framed for a robbery. It turns out that the items stolen — money and jewels — belonged to the Confederation. John Smith is captured. He explains that Champion and Reece are alive and that Reece is now the president of the Criminals' Confederation. He also provides the evidence that clears Dolland and is then carted off to prison. 35. The Man Who Died (UNION JACK issue 873, 1920) 36. The Shadow (UNION JACK issue 876, 1920) 37. The Dog Detective (UNION JACK issue 887, 1920) 38. A Bid For Billions (UNION JACK issue 893, 1920) 39. The Extreme Penalty (UNION JACK issue 895, 1920) More to come... ... |
