A Bid for Fortune · Character

Richard Hatteras

A Thursday Island adventurer returning to England and back again, whose easy charm and old friendships pull him into a conspiracy he never asked for.

major

Also known as Hatteras, Mr. Hatteras, Dear Mr. Hatteras, Richard, Mr. Richard Hatteras of Thursday Island, Dick, Dick Hatteras

First appearance: I: I Determine to Take a Holiday—Sydney, and What Befell Me There

As a major figure in A Bid for Fortune, Richard Hatteras is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Not directly present in this chapter; no appearance.

In the storyPrologueOpen this moment free

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He boards the steamer at Naples with his baggage and his memories, greeting Lord Beckenham like a brother and watching Vesuvius fade astern while he thinks of the Southern Cross and the girl he loves. His history with Nikola makes him useful to the frightened men around him, and his instinct for a tail — the stranger who keeps appearing in Melbourne, at the library, in the theatre stalls — keeps the investigation honest. He is the story's eyes and its conscience, moving between drawing rooms and ferries with equal ease.

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See Richard Hatteras in I: I Determine to Take a Holiday—Sydney, and What Befell Me There

Character Web

1 connection

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Relationship types

Family

Character groups

Diverse cast of characters
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

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Relationships

Unknown Narrator
family · positive
Richard Hatteras is likely a relative of Sir William Hatteras and may be a friend or ally… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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See Richard Hatteras in I: I Determine to Take a Holiday—Sydney, and What Befell Me There

In the story

Richard Hatteras appears across 14 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Prologue
Not directly present in this chapter; no appearance.
I: I Determine to Take a Holiday—Sydney, and What Befell Me There
The narrator and protagonist, a wealthy pearler from Thursday Island, decides to take a holiday to England. He is strong, adventurous, and falls in love with Miss Wetherell during the voyage.
II: London
The protagonist and narrator, deeply in love with Phyllis, explores London and encounters a mysterious conjuror.
IV: I Save an Important Life
Narrator and protagonist; charters the yacht Enchantress, rescues a drowning bather, and expresses distrust toward the tutor Mr. Baxter.
V: Mystery
The narrator and protagonist, reflecting on fate and coincidence, and growing suspicious of Baxter.
I Meet Dr. Nikola Again
Protagonist who has booked passage to Australia and decides to accompany Lord Beckenham to protect him.
VII: Port Said, and What Befell Us There
Narrator and protagonist; boards the Saratoga in Naples, reunites with Beckenham and Baxter, and accompanies Beckenham ashore at Port Said.
Dr. Nikola Permits Us a Free Passage
Investigates the house where he was imprisoned, visits the Saratoga's agent, and confronts Dr. Nikola.
I: We Reach Australia, and the Result
Hatteras is the narrator; he confronts Mr. Wetherell about the impostor and recounts his experiences with Nikola.
II: On the Trail
Takes charge of the investigation, questions Wetherell and Thompson, and leads the police to the Canary Bird Hotel.
Lord Beckenham's Story
Receives news of Draper's house discovery; accompanies Inspector to investigate.
Following Up a Clue
Hatteras negotiates with a seedy informant for clues about Phyllis, then learns from the solicitors that he has inherited a baronetcy and fortune.
V: The Islands and What We Found There
Mentioned as part of the expedition to rescue Phyllis, but not directly present in the chapter's events.
Conclusion
Narrates the conclusion, reveals his inherited baronetcy, and marries Phyllis.

Chapter companion notes

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See Richard Hatteras in I: I Determine to Take a Holiday—Sydney, and What Befell Me There

See Richard Hatteras in Prologue