Character guide

Axel Heyst

major

Also known as Heyst, Mr. Heyst, the elder Heyst, the wandering Heyst, enchanted Heyst, Mr. Blasted Heyst

A solitary Swedish recluse who becomes entangled with a traveling orchestra girl and three dangerous men.

Lena

major

Also known as Magdalen, Alma, the girl

A young woman rescued from a traveling orchestra who finds refuge with Heyst on Samburan.

Schomberg

supporting

Also known as a certain Schomberg, ass Schomberg, Mrs. Schomberg, the real Mrs. Schomberg, VIII Schomberg

A vindictive hotel keeper in Surabaya who nurses a grudge against Heyst and sets villains after him.

Mr. Jones

supporting

Also known as the gentlemanly Mr. Jones, plain Mr. Jones, Jones

A sinister, gentlemanly gambler who leads a trio of criminals to Samburan.

Martin Ricardo

supporting

Also known as Mr. Secretary Ricardo, Ricardo, the devoted Martin, the faithful Ricardo

Jones's violent and cunning right-hand man, obsessed with Lena.

Davidson

supporting

Also known as Captain Davidson, the prudent Davidson, the good Davidson, the sympathetic Davidson

A loyal steamer captain and Heyst's only friend who keeps watch over him.

Wang

supporting

Also known as the practical and automatic Wang, a vanishing Wang, Mr. Wang, the silent Wang

Heyst's Chinese servant on Samburan, practical and self-preserving.

Morrison

minor

Also known as the haggard Morrison, Poor Morrison, Captain Morrison, old Morrison

Heyst's former business partner who died after their coal venture failed.

Pedro

minor

Also known as the hairy Pedro, the simian Pedro

Jones's brutish, ape-like henchman who serves as muscle.

Zangiacomo

minor

Also known as Victory, Zangiacomo of Victory, Signor Zangiacomo

The tyrannical leader of the traveling ladies' orchestra where Lena performed.

Mrs. Zangiacomo

minor

Also known as Zangiacomo

Zangiacomo's wife who helps manage the orchestra girls.

Baron Heyst

minor

Also known as the late Baron Heyst, Heyst

Axel Heyst's deceased father, a Swedish philosopher who shaped his son's detachment.

Mr. Tesman

minor

Also known as Mr. Tesman of Tesman Brothers, old Tesman, the Tesmans

A merchant from Tesman Brothers who had dealings with Heyst.

McNab

minor

Also known as old McNab, Mr. McNab

A planter acquaintance of Davidson and Heyst.

Antonio

minor

Also known as Mr. Antonio, the honourable Antonio

A minor character mentioned in the narrative.

Himmel

minor

A minor character briefly referenced.

Wilhelm

minor

A minor character mentioned in passing.

Peter

minor

A minor character with a brief mention.