Character guide

Sherlock Holmes

major

Also known as Holmes, Mr. Holmes, Mr. Sherlock Holmes

The brilliant detective who investigates the Birlstone Manor murder.

John McMurdo

major

Also known as Brother John McMurdo, McMurdo, Brother McMurdo, Mr. McMurdo, Jack McMurdo, Jack, The Bodymaster McMurdo, Friend McMurdo

A mysterious newcomer who joins the Scowrers in Vermissa Valley.

John Douglas

major

Also known as Douglas, Mr. Douglas, Mr. John Douglas, Mr. John Douglas of Birlstone Manor, Birlstone

The owner of Birlstone Manor whose murder sets the plot in motion.

Cecil Barker

supporting

Also known as Mr. Barker, Barker, Cecil Barker, Mr. Cecil Barker, Cecil, Cecil James Barker, James

Douglas's friend and neighbor, a key witness at Birlstone Manor.

Inspector MacDonald

supporting

Also known as MacDonald, Dear Inspector Macdonald, Mr. Mac, Mac, Alec MacDonald, Mr. MacDonald, Friend MacDonald

The Scotland Yard detective working with Holmes on the case.

Mrs. Douglas

supporting

Also known as Douglas, Poor Douglas

John Douglas's wife, a key figure at Birlstone Manor.

White Mason

supporting

Also known as Mr. White Mason

The local Sussex detective assisting Holmes and MacDonald.

Dr. Watson

supporting

Also known as Dr. Watson

Holmes's friend and chronicler of the investigation.

Councillor McGinty

major

Also known as McGinty, Boss McGinty, Even Boss McGinty, The Boss, Mr. McGinty, Black Jack McGinty, Jack McGinty

The ruthless leader of the Scowrers in Vermissa Valley.

Ted Baldwin

supporting

Also known as Baldwin, Teddy Baldwin, Ted, Mr. Baldwin, Brother Baldwin

A violent member of the Scowrers and rival of McMurdo.

Brother Morris

supporting

Also known as Morris, Brother, that skunk Morris, Mr. Morris, Friend Morris

A reluctant Scowrer who fears the organization's violence.

Ettie Shafter

supporting

Also known as Miss Ettie Shafter, Ettie, Miss Ettie, Mary, Ettie Shafter

The young woman McMurdo falls in love with in Vermissa.

Ames

minor

Also known as Mr. Ames, the faithful Ames, the good Mr. Ames

The butler at Birlstone Manor.

Birdy Edwards

supporting

Also known as Pinkerton, Birdy Edwards of Pinkerton, Edwards, old man Pinkerton

A Pinkerton detective infiltrating the Scowrers.

Professor Moriarty

minor

Also known as Moriarty, a Moriarty

The criminal mastermind briefly mentioned as connected to the case.

Brother Scanlan

minor

Also known as Scanlan, Brother Scanlan of Lodge 341, Mike Scanlan

A member of the Scowrers and lodge officer.

Tiger Cormac

minor

Also known as Cormac, Tiger

A feared Scowrer enforcer in Vermissa Valley.

Chester Wilcox

minor

Also known as Wilcox

A member of the Scowrers involved in lodge activities.

Fred Porlock

minor

Also known as Porlock, Friend Porlock

A contact of Moriarty who sends a warning to Holmes.

Captain Marvin

minor

Also known as Marvin

A police captain involved in the Scowrers investigation.

Mrs. Allen

minor

A resident of Birlstone village who provides information.

Jacob Shafter

minor

Also known as Shafter, old man Shafter

Ettie's father and a Vermissa Valley resident.

Jonas Pinto

minor

Also known as one Jonas Pinto, Pinto

A man who recognizes McMurdo from Chicago.

Jim Carnaway

minor

Also known as Jim, Carnaway

A Scowrer who is murdered for betraying the lodge.

Lawler

minor

A member of the Scowrers in Vermissa Valley.

William Hales

minor

A man mentioned in connection with the Scowrers.

Archie Swindon

minor

A Vermissa Valley resident involved in the conflict.

James Stanger

minor

Also known as Stanger, old Editor Stanger, old man Stanger

A newspaper editor in Vermissa Valley.

Hargrave

minor

A member of the Scowrers.

Andrews

minor

A Vermissa Valley resident.

Billy James

minor

Also known as Billy, little Billy James

A young boy who delivers a message in the story.

Sergeant Wilson

minor

A police sergeant assisting in the Birlstone investigation.

Harraway

minor

A member of the Scowrers.

Evans Pott

minor

A Vermissa Valley resident.

Carter

minor

A servant at Birlstone Manor.