# Unknown Narrator — A Bid for Fortune character guide > Unknown Narrator in A Bid for Fortune by Guy Boothby. **Role:** major **Also known as:** I, me, my, mine, myself, our, ours, we, us **First appearance:** 0000-prologue ## Snapshot A restless young Englishman who trades the pearl trade for a mail steamer to Australia, narrating a voyage that turns from reverie into pursuit. ## Who they are He moves easily between London's Hatton Garden, where pearls and shell prices rule his days, and the pull of Thursday Island's reefs, diggings, and polyglot ports. His gift is talk — he can conjure a gold rush or a Kanaka billiard saloon until a listener's eyes sparkle — but that same openness leaves him exposed when old dangers resurface. When a hand falls on his shoulder in Trafalgar Square, his ticket already booked, the reader learns that escape and entanglement are the same journey for him. ## Relationships ### [Prendergast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/characters/prendergast) _professional_ Prendergast appears to be a close associate or employee working alongside the narrator, possibly as a detective or agent. ### [Sir William Hatteras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/characters/sir_william_hatteras) _rivalry_ Sir William Hatteras is a wealthy and antagonistic figure who opposes the narrator's interests. ### [Lord Beckenham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/characters/lord_beckenham) _friendship_ Lord Beckenham is a supportive ally and friend to the narrator, often aiding in his endeavors. ### [Mr. Mathew Draper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/characters/mr_mathew_draper) _professional_ Mr. Mathew Draper is a business associate or legal advisor who interacts with the narrator on financial or legal matters. ### [Mr. Matchem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/characters/mr_matchem) _professional_ Mr. Matchem is likely a servant or clerk who assists the narrator with routine tasks. ### [Mr. Thompson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/characters/mr_thompson) _professional_ Mr. Thompson is a minor professional contact, possibly a tradesman or agent. ### [Dawson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/characters/dawson) _professional_ Dawson is a servant or employee who carries out orders for the narrator. ### [Eastover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/characters/eastover) _rivalry_ Eastover is a criminal or antagonist who clashes with the narrator. ### [McMurtough](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/characters/mcmurtough) _rivalry_ McMurtough is a hostile figure, possibly a henchman or rival schemer. ### [Ah Chong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/characters/ah_chong) _professional_ Ah Chong is a servant or assistant who provides aid to the narrator. ### [Podgers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/characters/podgers) _professional_ Podgers is a minor functionary or servant who interacts with the narrator. ### [Mrs. Mayford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/characters/mrs_mayford) _social_ Mrs. Mayford is a social acquaintance, possibly a landlady or neighbor. ## In the story ### [III: I Visit My Relations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/chapters/part-i-iii-i-visit-my-relations) The narrator visits his father's family in England, discovering his heritage and meeting his miserly uncle. ### [V: Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/chapters/part-i-v-mystery) The first-person narrator who observes and recounts the events, though not explicitly named in this chapter. ### [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) The narrator is imprisoned and chained, devising plans for escape. ### [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) The narrator arrives in Australia with Beckenham, visits Phyllis, and later reveals the truth about the false marquis to Mr. Wetherell and the Governor. ### [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) The narrator listens to Wetherell's story about his first encounter with Dr. Nikola. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/characters/unknown_narrator - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bid_for_fortune_se/characters