Antony Ferrara

Dr. Bruce Cairn

Antony Ferrara is Bruce's primary antagonist, a sorcerer who uses dark magic to threaten Bruce and those he loves.

Sir Michael Ferrara

Antony Ferrara has a manipulative and obsessive relationship with Sir Michael, stemming from his twisted past as Michael's adopted son.

Myra Duquesne

Antony is obsessively fixated on Myra, desiring to possess her through dark magic and terror.

Dr. Bruce Cairn

Antony Ferrara is Bruce's primary antagonist, a sorcerer who uses dark magic to threaten Bruce and those he loves.

Dr. Bruce Cairn

Antony Ferrara is Bruce's primary antagonist, a sorcerer who uses dark magic to threaten Bruce and those he loves.

Myra Duquesne

Antony is obsessively fixated on Myra, desiring to possess her through dark magic and terror.

Prefatory Notice

Mentioned as the subject of the strange deeds that illustrate sorcery.

Brood of the Witch-Queen

Introduced as the adopted son of Sir Michael Ferrara, a practitioner of black magic and sorcery, and the primary antagonist.

I: Antony Ferrara

Subject of Cairn's suspicions; keeps a fire, incense, and strange artifacts; behaves evasively.

II: The Phantom Hands

Implicated indirectly; the dead woman at the hospital is the same one seen at his Oxford rooms.

III: The Ring of Thoth

Arrives at the house after Sir Michael's death; confronts Robert and Dr. Cairn; is accused by Myra Duquesne of wearing the ring of Thoth.

At Ferrara's Chambers

Hosts Robert in his opulent rooms, shows him the beetle collection, and displays his occult knowledge.

The Rustling Shadows

Myra's trusted friend; Robert suspects him of dark dealings.

VI: The Beetles

Caught with the beetles and their magical projections; attempts to resist Dr. Cairn but is overpowered.

VII: Sir Elwin Groves’ Patient

Co-legatee of Sir Michael's will; frequents Lady Lashmore's parties; known to Dr. Cairn as a dangerous practitioner of sorcery.

IX: The Polish Jewess

Seen in Regent Street with Lady Lashmore; suspected of fortune-hunting.

X: The Laughter

Implied to have orchestrated the séance and the possession of Lady Lashmore by Mirza's spirit.

XI: Cairo

Mentioned as having left England; implicitly linked to the Afreet rumors and the hot wind.

XIII: The Scorpion Wind

Appears in a crocodile mask, taunts Cairn from a window, and implies he controls the khamsin.

XIV: Dr. Cairn Arrives

The evil figure haunting Dr. Cairn's thoughts, responsible for the threat to Robert.

XV: The Witch-Queen

Implied orchestrator of the dream-scheme, using hypnotic suggestion and a false wireless to pit father against son.

Lair of the Spiders

Found lying in a trance inside the sarcophagus of the Witch-Queen; survives the encounter and sends a mocking note to Robert.

The Story of Ali Mohammed

Implied as the source of the evil; Dr. Cairn believes he is connected to the pyramid events.

XVIII: The Bats

Suspected to be inside the pyramid conducting a sorcerous ritual involving bats; not directly seen but implied to be present.

XIX: Anthropomancy

Performs a necromantic ritual in the hidden chamber, appearing impervious to gunfire.

XX: The Incense

Mentioned as the source of the incense and the evil spells; he is secretly active in London while the Cairns were in Egypt.

XXI: The Magician

Referenced as the magician who uses black arts, incense from Méydûm, and visits Saunderson's house.

XXII: Myra

Mentioned as having visited Myra, confessed love, and taken a lock of her hair; described as having a sinister change in demeanor.

Cairn Meets Ferrara

Confronts Cairn in the Egyptian Rooms, taunts him about Myra and past lives, and escapes by dropping a silk cord.

The Ivory Hand

Antagonist; referenced as the source of the silken cord and the supernatural attacks. His basilisk eyes and unholy campaign are recalled.

XXVII: The Thug’s Cord

Implied orchestrator of the attack; his will-force and sorcery are directed against Robert.

XXVIII: The High Priest, Hortotef

Revealed to be the vessel for the Khu of the ancient high priest Hortotef; directs elemental spirits and uses photography to focus evil forces on the Cairn household.

The Wizard's Den

Observed entering a photographer's shop and later a barn-like building in a field near Dulwich Common; described as effeminate and sinister.

The Elemental

Implied as the summoner of the Fire Elemental, referred to as the son of the Witch-Queen.

The Book of Thoth

Referenced as the owner of the hidden occult tools and the Book of Thoth, which is destroyed.