# Dr. Nikola — A Bid for Fortune character guide

> Dr. Nikola in A Bid for Fortune by Guy Boothby.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Prologue Dr. Nikola, this Dr. Nikola, Nikola, IX Dr. Nikola Permits

**First appearance:** 0000-prologue

## Snapshot

A soft-spoken mastermind who commands subordinates, forges letters, and reaches across hemispheres to claim what he wants before anyone knows he is moving.

## Who they are

He operates through intermediaries like Eastover and Draper, receiving reports and issuing orders with the calm of a man who has already won. His signature is in the paper he buys at an ordinary stationer's shop, in letters that arrive as threats and instructions, and in the fear he inspires even in those who have never met him. The early investigation into a missing girl keeps circling back to him, making him the shadow the whole plot is measured against.

## In the story

### [Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/chapters/prologue)

The orchestrator of the mysterious dinner and the plot against Wetherell; he gives orders to his agents from the Imperial Restaurant.

### [II: London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/chapters/part-i-ii-london)

The mysterious man at the restaurant who performs conjuring tricks and reveals knowledge of Hatteras's cards.

### [I Meet Dr. Nikola Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/chapters/part-i-vi-i-meet-dr-nikola-again)

Mentioned as the mysterious individual Hatteras suspects is involved in a conspiracy with Baxter.

### [VII: Port Said, and What Befell Us There](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/chapters/part-i-vii-port-said-and-what-befell-us-there)

Mentioned as the antagonist Hatteras fears meeting; Hatteras avoids hotels and delays boarding to evade him.

### [Our Imprisonment and Attempt at Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/chapters/part-i-viii-our-imprisonment-and-attempt-at-escape)

Mentioned as the mastermind behind the plot against them.

### [Dr. Nikola Permits Us a Free Passage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/chapters/part-i-ix-dr-nikola-permits-us-a-free-passage)

Outwits Hatteras and Beckenham by revealing he intercepted their messages, then surprisingly grants them freedom.

### [I: We Reach Australia, and the Result](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/chapters/part-ii-i-we-reach-australia-and-the-result)

Nikola is mentioned as the mastermind behind the impostor plot; his face haunts Beckenham.

### [II: On the Trail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/chapters/part-ii-ii-on-the-trail)

Identified by Hatteras as the man who drugged Thompson; described as tall, slim, sallow, with dark eyes and a snake ring.

### [Lord Beckenham's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/chapters/part-ii-iii-lord-beckenham-s-story)

Mesmerizes and holds Beckenham captive; orchestrates the abduction.

### [V: The Islands and What We Found There](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/chapters/part-ii-v-the-islands-and-what-we-found-there)

Visits Wetherell to purchase the black stick; described as having a deadly white complexion and dark eyes and hair.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/chapters/part-ii-vi-conclusion)

Sends a diamond necklace as a wedding gift; last seen with the Chinese stick, planning a coup.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/characters/dr_nikola
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/characters