The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson

Luigi, who ostensibly has the same code of gentlemanly conduct as the Judge, agrees to duel with the Judge to settle the disagreement between Luigi and Tom. The Judge, fearing he might die, decides to restore Tom to the will, blaming himself for Tom's failings: "He is worthless and unworthy, but it is largely my fault....[I]nstead of making a man of him, I have violated my trust, and I must not add the sin of desertion to that." (98) Tom, unbeknownst to his uncle, overhears that he is back in the will. He once again vows to reform his life, but at the same time is very bitter that he cannot sell the stolen dagger.

After the duel, Roxy tells Tom he should be ashamed of himself for how he has handled the affair with Luigi, given that he is a descendant, via Colonel Essex, of Captain John Smith. Tom is unconcerned with being a gentleman. He expresses disappointment that the Judge did not die and leave Tom all of his money, moving the plot one step closer towards the murder. Roxy, however, insists that Tom needs to straighten up and act honorably, and Tom once again vows to change his ways.

Tom encounters Wilson on the street and asks about Wilson's scheme to catch the thief. When Wilson confirms the details of the plan, Tom says there is no dagger and the whole robbery is a scheme cooked up by the twins. Content that he has sowed seeds of distrust between Wilson and the Italian twins, Tom returns to Judge Driscoll's house. As usual, Tom's arrogance means he takes every opportunity to belittle Wilson, but unbeknownst to Tom, he is planting ideas in Wilson's head that will bring about his own downfall.

Tom tells Judge Driscoll that Luigi's palm reading revealed that Luigi was an assassin, but that the twins begged Tom not to tell Luigi's secret, meaning that Tom was acting honorably by keeping this secret. The Judge is so willing to believe anything good about Tom that he says Tom was right not to break his word to Luigi, even though the Judge himself could have been killed in the duel.

Satisfied that he has been restored in the eyes of the Judge, Tom gathers the items he has stolen and gets on a steamboat, intending to sell the goods in St. Louis. As Tom sleeps on the boat, however, another thief steals the goods, leaving Tom with nothing to sell to repay his debts.