Character guide

Brian Fitzgerald

major

Also known as Mr. Brian Fitzgerald, Mr. Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald, the Prisoner Brian Fitzgerald, young Fitzgerald

A young man accused of murder, central to the mystery and trial.

Duncan Calton

major

Also known as Mr. Calton, Calton, Justice Calton

A brilliant barrister who defends Brian Fitzgerald.

Madge Frettlby

major

Also known as Miss Frettlby, Madge, Frettlby, Miss Madge Frettlby, Gretchen

The beautiful daughter of Mark Frettlby and Brian's love interest.

Oliver Whyte

major

Also known as Mr. Oliver Whyte, Whyte, Mr. Whyte, the late Mr. Whyte

The murdered man found in a hansom cab, whose death drives the plot.

Mark Frettlby

major

Also known as Frettlby, the late Mark Frettlby, poor Mark Frettlby, Mr. Frettlby

A wealthy wool king and Madge's father, with secrets of his own.

Mr. Gorby

supporting

Also known as Gorby, VI Mr. Gorby, IX Mr. Gorby

A detective who initially investigates the murder.

Mr. Kilsip

supporting

Also known as Kilsip, Meanwhile Kilsip

A clever detective who works alongside Gorby and later Calton.

Sal Rawlins

supporting

Also known as Sal, Sarah Rawlins, Rawlins, The woman Rawlins

A woman of the people who knows key secrets about the murder.

Felix Rolleston

supporting

Also known as Mr. Felix Rolleston, Rolleston, Felix, Mr. Rolleston, the ingenuous Felix

A lively young man and friend of Brian Fitzgerald.

Mrs. Hableton

supporting

Also known as Hableton

A landlady who provides information to the police.

Mother Guttersnipe

supporting

Also known as Mother

An old woman in the slums who knows Sal Rawlins.

Roger Moreland

supporting

Also known as Moreland, Mr. Moreland, this Mr. Moreland, All Moreland

A friend of Oliver Whyte with a dark past.

Dr. Chinston

minor

Also known as Chinston, Meanwhile Dr. Chinston

A doctor who provides medical evidence at the trial.

Malcolm Royston

minor

Also known as Royston, The cabman Royston, cabman Royston

The cabman who drove the hansom cab on the night of the murder.

Mrs. Sampson

minor

A housekeeper or servant in the Frettlby household.

Julia Featherweight

minor

Also known as Julia, Presently Julia, Miss Featherweight

A friend or acquaintance of Madge Frettlby.

Clement Rankin

minor

Also known as Rankin, The cabman Rankin

Another cabman involved in the case.

Sebastian Brown

minor

Also known as Brown

A minor character mentioned in the investigation.

Mrs. Rolleston

minor

Also known as pretty Mrs. Rolleston, Mr. and Mrs. Rolleston

Felix Rolleston's mother, a society lady.

Rosanna Moore

minor

Also known as Rosanna, Moore, God Rosanna Moore

A deceased woman with a connection to Mark Frettlby.

Margaret Frettlby

minor

Also known as Margaret

Mark Frettlby's late wife, mentioned in backstory.

Albert Dendy

minor

Also known as Dendy

A minor character involved in the legal proceedings.

Mr. Valpy

minor

Also known as old Valpy, Mr. Valpy, old Mr. Valpy

An elderly gentleman mentioned in passing.

Lizer

minor

A woman from the slums, associate of Sal Rawlins.

Musette

minor

A singer or performer mentioned in the story.

Barbara Allen

minor

A name from a ballad, referenced in the narrative.

Mrs. Whyte

minor

Also known as Whyte

Oliver Whyte's mother, mentioned briefly.

Gran

minor

An elderly relative or character in the slums.

Peterson

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or constable.