# The Secret Agent — Character guide

> Key figures in The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad.

- [Mr. Verloc](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/mr_verloc.md): A secret agent running a small shop, entangled in a plot to bomb Greenwich Observatory.
- [Mrs. Verloc](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/mrs_verloc.md): Verloc's wife, devoted to her brother Stevie, whose fate drives her actions.
- [Comrade Ossipon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/comrade_ossipon.md): A robust anarchist who lectures on science and becomes involved with Mrs. Verloc.
- [Stevie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/stevie.md): Mrs. Verloc's simple-minded brother, easily exploited by others.
- [Chief Inspector Heat](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/chief_inspector_heat.md): A police detective investigating the bombing, loyal to his methods.
- [Mr. Vladimir](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/mr_vladimir.md): The First Secretary of a foreign embassy who orchestrates the bombing plot.
- [Michaelis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/michaelis.md): A gentle anarchist recently released from prison, writing a book.
- [Sir Ethelred](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/sir_ethelred.md): A high-ranking government official overseeing the police investigation.
- [Toodles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/toodles.md): Sir Ethelred's private secretary, a minor functionary.
- [Baron Stott-Wartenheim](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/baron_stott_wartenheim.md): The deceased former ambassador, mentioned in the author's note.
- [Karl Yundt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/karl_yundt.md): An elderly, toothless anarchist who talks of violence but is inactive.
- [Mrs. Neale](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/mrs_neale.md): The Verlocs' charwoman, a poor woman with many children.
- [Adolf](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/adolf.md): A minor character, possibly a waiter or assistant at the anarchist meeting place.
- [The Perfect Anarchist](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/the_perfect_anarchist.md): A theoretical figure discussed by the anarchists, not a real character.
- [Annie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/annie.md): A young girl briefly mentioned in the Verloc household.
- [Mother](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/mother.md): Mrs. Verloc's mother, who moves out to a charity home.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters