# The Trail of the Serpent — Character guide

> Key figures in The Trail of the Serpent by M. E. Braddon.

- [Richard Marwood](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/richard_marwood.md): A young man wrongly accused of murder, central to the mystery.
- [Joseph Peters](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/joe_peters.md): A determined detective and friend who works to clear Richard's name.
- [Raymond Marolles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/raymond_marolles.md): A mysterious French nobleman with a hidden past and dark secrets.
- [Jabez North](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/jabez_north.md): A seemingly benevolent schoolmaster with a sinister double life.
- [Valerie de Cevennes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/valerie_de_cevennes.md): A beautiful and enigmatic Frenchwoman entangled in the plot.
- [Augustus Darley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/augustus_darley.md): A friend of Richard Marwood and a key ally in the investigation.
- [Laurent Blurosset](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/laurent_blurosset.md): A French chemist and associate of the Marolles family.
- [Miss Kuppins](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/kuppins.md): A lively and loyal servant with a sharp tongue.
- [Valerie de Lancy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/valerie_de_lancy.md): A young woman connected to the De Lancy family and the mystery.
- [Mr. Jinks](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/jinks.md): A nervous and devoted clerk to Jabez North.
- [Percy Cordonner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/percy_cordonner.md): A young man involved in the social circles of the story.
- [Jim Lomax](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/jim_lomax.md): A labourer who becomes a key witness in the murder case.
- [Marquis de Cevennes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/marquis_de_cevennes.md): The proud father of Valerie de Cevennes.
- [Daredevil Dick](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/daredevil_dick.md): A reckless young man who meets a tragic fate.
- [Gaston de Lancy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/gaston_de_lancy.md): A Frenchman whose disappearance sparks part of the mystery.
- [Count de Marolles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/count_de_marolles.md): The father of Raymond Marolles, a figure from the past.
- [Slopperton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/slopperton.md): A school and location central to the initial crime.
- [Signor Mosquetti](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/signor_mosquetti.md): An Italian singer who provides a crucial alibi.
- [Mr. Withers](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/mr_withers.md): A lawyer involved in the legal proceedings.
- [Montague Harding](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/montague_harding.md): A murdered schoolboy, the victim of the central crime.
- [The Smasher](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/the_smasher.md): A criminal with a distinctive left-handed blow.
- [Mademoiselle Finette](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/mademoiselle_finette.md): A French maid in service to Valerie de Cevennes.
- [Jim Stilson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/jim_stilson.md): A sailor or labourer with knowledge of the past.
- [Blind Peter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/blind_peter.md): A blind man who lives near the scene of a crime.
- [Brandolph](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/brandolph.md): A mysterious figure associated with a secret society.
- [Isabel Darley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/isabel_darley.md): Augustus Darley's sister and a love interest.
- [Captain Lansdown](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/captain_lansdown.md): A police captain investigating the case.
- [Mrs. Martha Jones](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/mrs_martha_jones.md): A landlady or housekeeper in Slopperton.
- [Isabella Darley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/isabella_darley.md): Another name for Isabel Darley, Augustus's sister.
- [Madame Elizabeth](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/madame_elizabeth.md): A Frenchwoman, possibly a servant or relative.
- [Paul Moucée](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/paul_moucee.md): A French associate of the Marolles circle.
- [Rinval](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/rinval.md): A French acquaintance of the De Cevennes.
- [Mujeebez](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/mujeebez.md): An exotic foreign character, possibly a servant.
- [Sararanne](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/sararanne.md): A female character, possibly a maid or dancer.
- [Billy Withers](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/billy_withers.md): A young boy, possibly a relative of Mr. Withers.
- [Dr. Tappenden](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/dr_tappenden.md): The headmaster of the Slopperton school.
- [Tom Jones](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/tom_jones.md): A henpecked husband, a minor comic figure.

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