The Sign of the Broken Sword by G. K. Chesterton. Short summary

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Father Brown investigates the death of the national hero, General St. Clair. He proves that he was a traitor and was hanged by his soldiers. But Father Brown keeps the truth about the general a secret.

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Father Brown, reveals to private investigator Flambeau, the secret of the death of the national hero, General St. Clair.

Once upon a time, the general behaved strangely. He attacked the huge army of the Brazilian liberation leader Oliver with a small detachment, was taken prisoner and hanged.

Father Brown found out that St. Clair was a traitor. One of his closest officers guessed it, and the general killed him. To cover up the crime, he sent a small unit to certain death.

The officers guessed his plan. When Oliver released all the British prisoners, they hanged the general themselves, but kept it a secret forever.

Father Brown also keeps his research a secret. He will only reveal the truth about the general if some fan of his tries to denigrate the names of others involved in the story.