The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America Part III, Chapter 18 Summary

Prendergast

  • Prendergast grows impatient that Harrison still hasn't appointed him. He visits City Hall to see his future office.
  • Of course, the clerk has no idea who he is.
  • Prendergast asks to see the current counsel, Kraus.
  • Kraus, amused, introduces Prendergast to the men in the room as his "successor" and everyone smiles. They're not laughing with you, Prendergast, they're laughing at you.
  • Prendergast mistakes their smiles for acknowledgements that he will soon be in charge.
  • Kraus' error here is humoring Prendergast and intensifying his delusions.