Character guide

Inspector French

major

Also known as Mr. French, French, Inspector French, Night Watchman French, Joe

The Scotland Yard detective investigating the mysterious death and crate shipment.

Mrs. Berlyn

major

Also known as Berlyn, Phyllis Berlyn, Phyllis, Mrs. Phyllis Berlyn

A key figure in the Berlyn family, deeply involved in the unfolding mystery.

Stanley Pyke

major

Also known as Mr. Pyke, Stanley Pyke, Mr. Stanley, Mr. Stanley Pyke, poor Stanley, Stanley

A partner in the Berlyn & Pyke firm, whose death sets the plot in motion.

Jefferson Pyke

major

Also known as Mr. Jefferson Pyke, the late Mr. Pyke, Mr. Jefferson, Jefferson Pyke, Pyke, Jefferson, Jeff

The deceased senior partner of Berlyn & Pyke, whose body is found in a crate.

Colonel Domlio

supporting

Also known as Domlio, Colonel

A retired military man living on Dartmoor who becomes involved in the case.

John Gurney

supporting

Also known as Gurney, John, XI John Gurney

A night watchman who provides crucial information about the crate's dispatch.

Mr. Berlyn

supporting

Also known as Berlyn, Of Mr. Berlyn, a Mr. Berlyn of Ashburton, Ashburton

The surviving partner of Berlyn & Pyke, father of Phyllis and Charles.

Mr. Morgan

supporting

Also known as this Mr. Morgan

A businessman who first discovers the mysterious crate and reports it.

Sergeant Daw

supporting

Also known as Daw, Sergeant

A local police sergeant assisting French with the investigation.

Mr. Fogden

minor

Also known as this Mr. Fogden, Fogden

A shipping clerk involved in the dispatch of the crate.

Makepeace

minor

Also known as young Makepeace, Mr. Makepeace

A young man who works at the shipping office and provides testimony.

Mrs. Burt

minor

Also known as Burt

A housekeeper or landlady who gives evidence about the Pyke household.

Mrs. Billing

minor

A neighbor or acquaintance who provides background on the Berlyn family.

Lizzie Johnston

minor

Also known as Lizzie, Miss Johnston

A maid or servant in the Berlyn household who gives key testimony.

Sergeant Carter

minor

Also known as Carter

A police sergeant who assists French during the investigation.

Alfred Beer

minor

Also known as Mr. Alfred Beer, Alfred Beer, Beer, Alf, Alf Beer

A local man who helps with the crate and becomes a suspect.

Charles Berlyn

minor

Also known as Charles, Poor old Charles, Berlyn

The son of Mr. Berlyn, who has a troubled relationship with his family.

Phyllis Considine

minor

Also known as Phyllis

A young woman connected to the Berlyn family and the mystery.

Dr. Lancaster

minor

Also known as Dr. and Mrs. Lancaster, Mrs. Lancaster, a Dr. Lancaster

A doctor who examines the body and provides medical evidence.

Evan Morgan

minor

Also known as Evan, Evan Morgan

A relative or associate of Mr. Morgan who becomes involved in the case.

Sergeant Nield

minor

Also known as Nield

A police sergeant working under French on the investigation.

Tom Manners

minor

Also known as Tom, Manners, III Experimental Detection Tom Manners, Thomas, Mr. Manners

A detective or assistant who helps French with experimental detection.

Mrs. Welsh

minor

Also known as Vera Welsh, Vera, Miss Welsh

A woman connected to the Pyke family who provides key information.

Mr. Illingworth

minor

Also known as Illingworth

A solicitor or businessman involved in the Berlyn & Pyke affairs.

Mr. Evans

minor

Also known as Evans

A local resident who provides information about the crate's journey.

Inspector Tanner

minor

Also known as Tanner, Inspector

A police inspector who collaborates with French on the case.

Superintendent Howells

minor

Also known as Howells, Superintendent

A senior police officer overseeing the investigation.

Mr. Shrubsole

minor

A minor character who appears in connection with the case.

Mr. Ganope

minor

Also known as Ganope, Thomas Ganope

A businessman or associate of the Pyke family.

Dr. Crowth

minor

A doctor who provides medical expertise during the investigation.

William Service

minor

Also known as Service

A railway or shipping employee involved in the crate's transport.

Peter Swann

minor

Also known as Swann

A minor character who appears in the later stages of the investigation.

Mr. Hawkins

minor

A minor witness or resident questioned by French.

Constable David Jenkins

minor

Also known as Jenkins

A local constable who assists with the investigation on Dartmoor.

Coombe

minor

A local resident or worker who provides information about the area.

Mr. Cooke

minor

A minor character who appears in connection with the shipping firm.

Mr. Cowls

minor

Also known as Cowls, Leacock, Mr. Leacock

A business associate or employee of the Berlyn & Pyke firm.

Mr. James S. Stephenson

minor

Also known as Stephenson, a Mr. James S. Stephenson, James S. Stephenson, James

A businessman who provides information about the Pyke family.

Sergeant Harvey

minor

Also known as Harvey

A police sergeant who assists French during the investigation.

Mr. William Wright

minor

Also known as Mr. Wright, William

A minor witness or resident questioned by the police.

Mr. Daw

minor

Also known as Daw

A relative or associate of Sergeant Daw, possibly a witness.

Mee

minor

A minor character who appears briefly in the narrative.

John Burt

minor

Also known as Burt

A relative of Mrs. Burt who provides additional testimony.

Mr. James Hurley

minor

Also known as Mr. Hurley, Hurley

A minor character who appears in connection with the case.

Molesworth

minor

Also known as a Molesworth, A Molesworth, the Molesworth

A minor character mentioned in relation to the Berlyn family.

Mr. John F. Stewart

minor

Also known as Stewart, Mr. Stewart, Mr. John F. Stewart, the mysterious Mr. John F. Stewart, John F. Stewart

A mysterious figure whose identity becomes important to the plot.

Superintendent Griffiths

minor

A senior police officer who appears briefly in the investigation.

Major Lloyd

minor

A military man who provides information about the Dartmoor area.

Sergeant Jefferies

minor

Also known as Jefferies

A police sergeant who assists French during the investigation.

Mr. Nankivell

minor

A minor character who appears in connection with the shipping firm.

Sergeant Deane

minor

Also known as Deane

A police sergeant who appears briefly in the investigation.