Chapter XXIX
A Wilks relative arrives and exposes the con men as frauds; they escape and sell Jim down the river.
5 argumentative units
- 01The real Harvey Wilks arrives and challenges the king
A genuine older gentleman and younger man with a sling claim to be the true Harvey and William Wilks. The king and duke hold their ground, and the townspeople drag everyone to the hotel for a confrontation.
- 02The king fabricates a story about the stolen money
In the hotel confrontation the king claims the inheritance gold was stolen by the enslaved people he sold. Few in the room are convinced by his explanation.
- 03Handwriting comparison exposes the frauds
Lawyer Levi Bell compares handwriting from old Wilks letters with samples from both pairs of claimants. None of the signatures match, leaving identity unresolved but the king and duke increasingly exposed.
- 04The exhumation of the corpse for verification
The dead body is dug up as a final means to expose or confirm the fraud through physical evidence.
- 05Huck's escape and Jim's fate
Huck manages to escape from the con men but the outcome leaves Jim sold back into slavery down the river.