]And then she continued running and disappeared down he backside of the meadow.It was a moment of 'reality' and truth for the photographer, but he had no idea what was lying beneath the surface of the scene he had just documented.We may believe there are no Battling Burrows, striking he helpless with brutal whip - but do we not ourselves use the whip of unkind words and deeds? So, perhaps, Battling may even carry a message of warning.He flirts back and inquires about lovebirds [and the human varieties of 'birds'], specifying his need for birds that are neither too "demonstrative" or "aloof" - "just friendly":Melanie: Lovebirds, sir?Mitch: Yes, I understand there are different varieties.What is much more important than the basic blackmail-murder plot is the stylish method andprocessof the private detective's quest, that the viewer identifies with and shares, as he makes his way through the murky world of nasty crime from one oppressive setting o the next, or from one wicked character, fallen woman, orfemme fataleto another, until eventually discovering love with his female protagonist.