Richard's inability to settle causes a rift with John Jarndyce, much to Ada's dismay. Tulkinghorn finally unearths the possible identity of the mysterious Nemo. Nemo's old friend Sergeant George has the evidence he needs to prove it and Tulkinghorn will stop at nothing to force George to hand it over. But George has even more problems when Gridley turns up on his doorstep, on the run from the law and infected with the fever.

George has to make an impossible decision when Tulkinghorn and Smallweed turn up the heat on his debts. Guppy's quest for information takes him back to Krook's shop, with explosive results. Jarndyce is beside himself when tragedy strikes Bleak House.