Hefty data in this day, a bunch of people finding things out for Nick, and then quoting exactly what they know to him.
The Packer segment always intrigued me when I first read it, because I thought: we have the Wynant siblings together for the first time, but we are interrupting this for a wild west segment of cannibalism in the snow? Why?
I guess it's an illustration of lying about one's actions, even as they are discovered in the midst of new crimes. Its thematic, in a grisly way. I wonder if it was just a meme of Hammett's day, or if he liked researching celebrated crimes. Probably the latter, as he was a crime writer and ex detective.
Studsy and the Pig-Iron club remains a favorite, this tough old brick of a man running a little speakeasy, talking to wanted men and serving bad champagne, what a way to live. I forget that it is seen empty at first, and they can have a normal conversing.
Similar to Packer, there is historical violence brought to mind, but its of a more sporting nature, the offer to duel again, with similar constraints, there is the respect between the two.
Its all done through pregnant pauses of silent understanding, but Art Nunheim being outed as a rat to the underworld seems almost like Nick heartlessly signing a death warrant. Perhaps its a spiteful revenge for sending Morello his way. A lack of respect, unlike Studsy.