Character guide

Sergeant Charlie Chan

major

Also known as Chan, Sergeant Chan, Mr. Chan, Detective-Sergeant Chan, Charlie, Mr. Charles Chan

Honolulu detective investigating a murder in San Francisco.

Barry Kirk

major

Also known as Kirk, young Barry Kirk, Mr. Kirk

Wealthy young man whose office becomes a crime scene.

June Morrow

major

Also known as Miss Morrow, June, Miss June Morrow

Barry Kirk's secretary, drawn into the mystery.

Captain Flannery

supporting

Also known as Flannery, Poor Captain Flannery

San Francisco police captain leading the investigation.

Sir Frederic Bruce

supporting

Also known as Sir Frederic, Frederic, Yard

Former Scotland Yard commissioner visiting San Francisco.

Colonel John Beetham

supporting

Also known as Colonel Beetham, John Beetham, Beetham, the Colonel

British military officer with a connection to the case.

Bill Rankin

supporting

Also known as Rankin, Willie

A young man involved in the events surrounding the murder.

Inspector Duff

supporting

Also known as Inspector Duff of Scotland Yard, Duff, Inspector

Scotland Yard inspector sent to assist on the case.

Major Eric Durand

supporting

Also known as Durand, Eric Durand, Major Durand, Eric

Eve Durand's husband, a military man with secrets.

Eve Durand

major

Also known as Eve, Eve Durand Flannery

Woman whose mysterious disappearance drives the plot.

Dawson Kirk

minor

Also known as Mrs. Dawson Kirk, Mrs. Kirk

Barry Kirk's mother, a socialite.

Paradise

minor

Also known as Good old Paradise

A Chinese servant in the Kirk household.

Gloria Garland

minor

Also known as Miss Garland, Miss Gloria Garland, Garland

An actress with a connection to the case.

Marie Lantelme

minor

Also known as Jennie Jerome, Jennie, Jerome, Marie

Historical figure referenced in the mystery.

Li Gung

minor

Also known as Li, Gung

A Chinese man working in San Francisco.

Helen Tupper-Brock

minor

Also known as Brock, Mrs. Tupper-Brock, Mrs. Helen Tupper-Brock

A woman with knowledge of the Durand affair.

Eileen Enderby

minor

Also known as Enderby, Eileen

A young woman connected to the Enderby family.

Grace Lane

minor

Also known as Miss Grace Lane, Miss Lane, Grace

A woman who appears in connection with the case.

Hilary Galt

minor

Also known as Galt, Mr. Hilary Galt, Mr. Galt

A mysterious figure with a past in the Orient.

Mr. Kinsey

minor

Also known as Kinsey

A lawyer involved in the case.

Barry Chan

minor

Also known as Chan, little Barry Chan

Charlie Chan's son, who assists his father.

Miss Lila Barr

minor

Also known as Miss Barr, Lila Barr, Lila

A woman who comes to San Francisco seeking help.

Willie Li

minor

Also known as Willie

A young Chinese man who does a good turn.

Mrs. Enderby

minor

Also known as that little Mrs. Enderby

Mother of Eileen Enderby.

Chan Kee Lim

minor

Also known as Kee Lim

A Chinese merchant in San Francisco.

Mr. Cuttle

minor

Also known as Cuttle

A discreet private investigator.

Carrick Enderby

minor

Also known as Mr. Carrick Enderby, Mr. Enderby

Father of Eileen Enderby.

Henry Li

minor

A Chinese man connected to the Li family.

Willie Chan

minor

Another of Charlie Chan's sons.

Sergeant Manley

minor

Also known as Manley

A police sergeant working with Flannery.

Peter Lee

minor

Also known as old Peter Lee, Lee

An elderly Chinese man with information.

Egbert

minor

A minor character in the story.

Mr. Gleason

minor

Also known as Gleason, Gloomily Mr. Gleason

A reporter covering the case.

Petersen

minor

A minor character mentioned in the investigation.

J. V. Morrow

minor

June Morrow's father, mentioned in passing.

Mary Winthrop Kirk

minor

Barry Kirk's deceased wife, mentioned in the story.

Sir George Mannering

minor

Also known as George

A British diplomat mentioned in the case.

Mrs. Dyke

minor

A woman who appears briefly in the narrative.

Thomas Cook

minor

Also known as Cook

Reference to the travel agency, not a character.

Happiness Kirk

minor

Barry Kirk's sister, mentioned in the story.

Mr. Rankin

minor

Bill Rankin's father, mentioned briefly.

Old Man Blackstone

minor

Also known as Blackstone

A minor character referenced in the story.