Character guide

Frank Spargo

major

Also known as Mr. Spargo, Mr. Frank Spargo, young Master Spargo

A young journalist investigating the Middle Temple murder, central to the plot.

Ronald Breton

major

Also known as Mr. Breton, young Mr. Breton, Mr. Ronald Breton

A barrister and friend of Spargo, involved in the murder case.

John Marbury

major

Also known as Mr. Marbury, the late Mr. John Marbury

The murder victim found on the steps of Middle Temple Lane.

Mr. Rathbury

supporting

Also known as Rathbury

A detective from Scotland Yard leading the murder investigation.

Mother Gutch

supporting

Also known as Mother Gutch Spargo, Mrs. Sabina Gutch

An elderly woman who provides lodging and information to Spargo.

Mr. E. Myerst

supporting

Also known as Mr. Myerst, Myerst

A mysterious figure connected to the victim and the Chamberlayne affair.

John Maitland

supporting

Also known as Maitland, John Maitland of Market Milcaster

A wealthy man from Market Milcaster with a secret past linked to Marbury.

Septimus Elphick

supporting

Also known as Mr. Elphick, old Elphick, Mr. Septimus Elphick

An elderly stamp dealer who provides a key clue in the case.

Jane Baylis

supporting

Also known as Miss Baylis, Miss Jane Baylis

A woman with knowledge of Marbury's past and the Chamberlayne story.

Benjamin Quarterpage

supporting

Also known as Mr. Quarterpage, old Quarterpage, old Mr. Quarterpage, Old Ben Quarterpage

An elderly man from Market Milcaster who recalls old events.

Nicholas Cardlestone

supporting

Also known as Mr. Cardlestone, old Cardlestone, Mr. Nicholas Cardlestone

An eccentric old man living with Elphick, involved in the stamp trade.

Stephen Chamberlayne

supporting

Also known as Chamberlayne, the Chamberlayne, Stephen

A man whose past scandal is central to the mystery surrounding Marbury.

James Criedir

minor

Also known as Jim, Mr. James Criedir, Mr. Criedir, Criedir

A young man from Market Milcaster with a connection to the Aylmore family.

Mr. Webster

minor

Also known as Webster, William Webster

A police constable assisting Rathbury in the investigation.

Edward Mollison

minor

Also known as Mollison

A solicitor involved in the legal aspects of the case.

Jessie Aylmore

minor

Also known as Miss Aylmore, Miss Jessie Aylmore, Jessie, Evelyn Aylmore

The daughter of Stephen Aylmore, romantically linked to Ronald Breton.

Stephen Aylmore

minor

Also known as Mr. Aylmore, Mr. Stephen Aylmore, Aylmore

A wealthy businessman and father of Jessie, questioned in the case.

Mr. Walters

minor

Also known as Mrs. Walters, Walters, Mr. and Mrs. Walters

A couple who keep a lodging house where Spargo stays.

Constable Driscoll

minor

Also known as Driscoll

A police constable who makes an arrest in the case.

David Lyell

minor

Also known as Mr. Lyell, Mr. David Lyell

A friend of the Aylmore family, provides information about Marbury.

Charles Doolittle

minor

Also known as Mr. Charles Doolittle, Mr. Doolittle

A man who identifies Marbury's body at the mortuary.

Mr. Anderson

minor

Also known as Anderson

A manager at the Anglo-Orient Hotel where Marbury stayed.

Crowfoot

minor

Also known as old Crowfoot

An old man in Market Milcaster who remembers past events.

Mr. Cooper

minor

A clerk or assistant in the legal offices involved in the case.

Mr. Stephens

minor

A man who provides information about the Chamberlayne affair.

Stephen Ainsworth

minor

Also known as Ainsworth

A name mentioned in connection with the Chamberlayne scandal.

Mr. Fiskie

minor

Also known as Fiskie

A man who appears briefly in the investigation.

Andrew Robertson

minor

Also known as Robertson

A man from Market Milcaster with knowledge of the Maitland family.

Starkey

minor

A man mentioned in connection with the stamp dealing subplot.

Templeson

minor

A servant or employee in the Aylmore household.

Mr. Vallas

minor

Also known as old Mr. Vallas, old Vallas

An elderly man from Market Milcaster who knows the Maitlands.

Mr. Stonewood

minor

A man briefly mentioned in connection with the case.

Mr. Kaye

minor

Also known as Kaye

A man who appears in the later chapters of the investigation.

Mr. Lummis

minor

Also known as Lummis

A man briefly mentioned in the stamp dealing subplot.