Character guide

Unknown Narrator

major

Also known as I, me, my, myself

The first-person narrator and focal character, a young lawyer traveling to Pittsburgh.

Richey McKnight

major

Also known as McKnight, Richey, Downstairs McKnight

The narrator's close friend and fellow lawyer, involved in the case and investigation.

Alison West

major

Also known as Alison, West, Allie, Miss West

A young woman the narrator meets on the train, central to the mystery and romance.

Henry Pinckney Sullivan

major

Also known as Sullivan, Mr. Sullivan, Harry Sullivan, Harry

A murdered man found in the narrator's berth, key to the plot.

Wilson Budd Hotchkiss

supporting

Also known as Mr. Hotchkiss, Hotchkiss, Little Hotchkiss

A nervous, talkative passenger who becomes a suspect and later a helper.

Mrs. Klopton

supporting

The narrator's devoted housekeeper who assists in the investigation.

Mr. Francis Johnson

supporting

Also known as Johnson, Mr. Johnson

A detective working on the Sullivan murder case.

Mr. Blakeley

supporting

Also known as Blakeley, Lawrence Blakeley

A mysterious man connected to the crime, later revealed as a key figure.

Sammy Forbes

supporting

Also known as Sam, Forbes, Sam Forbes

A friend of the narrator who provides comic relief and assistance.

Jennie MacLure

supporting

Also known as Jennie, Janet MacLure

A young woman involved in the case, with a connection to the victim.

Mrs. Carter

minor

Also known as Carter

A passenger on the train who provides key testimony.

Andy Bronson

supporting

Also known as Bronson, Mr. Andrew Bronson

A suspect with a criminal past, pursued by the narrator.

Mrs. Conway

minor

A boardinghouse keeper who shelters the narrator.

Mrs. Curtis

minor

A woman who provides information about the Sullivan family.

Stuart

minor

A friend of McKnight who assists in the investigation.

Lollie

minor

A young woman at the farmhouse, briefly involved in the plot.

Mr. Lawrence

minor

Also known as Lawrence

A lawyer who represents the Sullivan estate.

Euphemia

minor

A maid in the Sullivan household.

Simon Harrington

minor

Also known as Harrington

An elderly man with knowledge of the crime's background.

Mrs. Dallas

minor

Also known as Dallas

A woman connected to the Bronson family.

Dorothy Browne

minor

Also known as Browne, Dorothy

A friend of Alison West.

Rich

minor

A minor character who appears in the boardinghouse.

Eliza

minor

A servant in the Sullivan home.

Mrs. Sullivan

minor

Also known as Sullivan

The mother of Henry Sullivan.

Mr. Granger

minor

Also known as Granger

A detective who assists in the case.

Porter

minor

A train porter who provides information.

Arnold

minor

A man who appears at the farmhouse.

Mr. Peck

minor

Also known as Peck

A lawyer involved in the case.

Stogie

minor

A nickname for a minor character.

Obadiah

minor

A servant at the farmhouse.

Blake

minor

A minor character mentioned in the investigation.

Ida Harrington

minor

Also known as old Harrington

The wife of Simon Harrington.

Doctor Van Kirk

minor

Also known as Van Kirk

A doctor who examines the body.

Robison

minor

A minor character in the story.

Candida

minor

A minor character mentioned briefly.

Shaw

minor

A minor character in the narrative.