# Dr. Bruce Cairn — Brood of the Witch-Queen character guide > Dr. Bruce Cairn in Brood of the Witch-Queen by Sax Rohmer. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Dr. Cairn, Bruce Cairn, dear Cairn **First appearance:** 0001-brood-of-the-witch-queen ## Snapshot A grey-eyed physician and old friend of Sir Michael Ferrara, Dr. Cairn recognizes ancient evil when he smells it—and he has smelled it before. ## Who they are Dr. Cairn belongs to the generation that remembers things better left forgotten, and when his son brings him tales of spiders and bats and secret incense, he does not laugh. He is the one who understands that a vampire's victim may also be its weapon, who knows the ring of the Witch-Queen and what it means. His authority anchors the investigation; without his grim knowledge, Robert would be alone against the dark. ## Relationships ### [Myra Duquesne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/characters/myra_duquesne) _romantic_ Bruce is deeply in love with Myra and is determined to protect her from the supernatural threats surrounding Antony Ferrara. ### [Lord Lashmore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/characters/lord_lashmore) _friendship_ Lord Lashmore is a trusted friend and ally to Bruce, often assisting in investigations and providing support against Antony. ### [Antony Ferrara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/characters/antony_ferrara) _rivalry_ Antony Ferrara is Bruce's primary antagonist, a sorcerer who uses dark magic to threaten Bruce and those he loves. ### [Sir Michael Ferrara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/characters/sir_michael_ferrara) _family_ Sir Michael Ferrara is Bruce's father, a respected archaeologist and scholar who shares Bruce's concern about Antony's evil. ### [Robert Cairn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/characters/robert_cairn) _family_ Robert Cairn is Bruce's uncle, a supportive family member who aids in the fight against supernatural evil. ### [Mr. Saunderson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/characters/mr_saunderson) _professional_ Mr. Saunderson is a colleague and associate of Bruce, involved in occult research and the struggle against Antony. ### [Sir Elwin Groves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/characters/sir_elwin_groves) _professional_ Bruce and Sir Elwin Groves are professional acquaintances, both involved in the investigation of supernatural events. ### [Mirza](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/characters/mirza) _rivalry_ Bruce sees Mirza as a dangerous adversary, a servant of dark forces aligned with Antony Ferrara. ### [Crombie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/characters/crombie) _professional_ Crombie is a police inspector who works with Bruce to investigate the crimes linked to Antony Ferrara. ### [Miss Saunderson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/characters/miss_saunderson) _social_ Miss Saunderson is a minor acquaintance of Bruce, connected through her father Mr. Saunderson. ### [Sir Michael Ferrara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/characters/sir_michael_ferrara) _family_ Sir Michael Ferrara is Bruce's father, a respected archaeologist and scholar who shares Bruce's concern about Antony's evil. ### [Robert Cairn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/characters/robert_cairn) _family_ Robert Cairn is Bruce's uncle, a supportive family member who aids in the fight against supernatural evil. ## In the story ### [Brood of the Witch-Queen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/brood-of-the-witch-queen) A rational and determined investigator who suspects Ferrara of using occult powers for evil purposes. ### [III: The Ring of Thoth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/iii-the-ring-of-thoth) Reveals his knowledge of Egyptian magic; expresses guilt over past involvement with Sir Michael Ferrara; covers up the true cause of Sir Michael's death. ### [At Ferrara's Chambers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/iv-at-ferrara-s-chambers) Advises Robert to keep in touch with Ferrara as a matter of policy and stealth. ### [The Rustling Shadows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/v-the-rustling-shadows) Advises Robert to resist the supernatural attack and warns of Ferrara's motives. ### [VI: The Beetles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/vi-the-beetles) Confronts Ferrara, destroys the beetles, and rushes to save his son from the supernatural attack. ### [VII: Sir Elwin Groves’ Patient](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/vii-sir-elwin-groves-patient) Consults with Sir Elwin Groves about Lord Lashmore's case; has sent Myra Duquesne to Scotland for protection. ### [The Secret of Dhoon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/viii-the-secret-of-dhoon) Interrogates Lord Lashmore about the attacks and demonstrates knowledge of the Dhoon family curse and secret chamber. ### [IX: The Polish Jewess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/ix-the-polish-jewess) Explains the nature of the vampire spirit and plans to visit Dhoon Castle. ### [X: The Laughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/x-the-laughter) Interviews Lady Lashmore, deduces Ferrara's sorcery, and arrives too late to save Lord Lashmore. ### [XI: Cairo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xi-cairo) Arranges Robert's trip to Egypt; advises him not to worry and reveals that Antony Ferrara has left England. ### [XIII: The Scorpion Wind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xiii-the-scorpion-wind) Mentioned as having driven to Ferrara's rooms with a revolver, intending to kill him. ### [XIV: Dr. Cairn Arrives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xiv-dr-cairn-arrives) Arrives in Port Said, tormented by guilt and the urgency to stop Antony Ferrara. ### [XV: The Witch-Queen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xv-the-witch-queen) Dreams of being led by a veiled woman to murder Ferrara, only to discover he was in Robert's room under a spell. ### [Lair of the Spiders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xvi-lair-of-the-spiders) Leads the search for the sarcophagus, descends into the cellar, and attempts to kill Ferrara but is driven back by spiders. ### [The Story of Ali Mohammed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xvii-the-story-of-ali-mohammed) Reveals his mission to destroy Antony Ferrara and connects the pyramid incident to ancient Egyptian sorcery. ### [XVIII: The Bats](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xviii-the-bats) Leads the expedition to the pyramid, reveals knowledge of hidden chambers and ancient sorcery, and demonstrates physical agility in climbing the shaft. ### [XIX: Anthropomancy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xix-anthropomancy) Leads the expedition into the pyramid, recognizes the ritual, and drags Sime to safety. ### [XX: The Incense](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xx-the-incense) Returns with his son, remains outwardly calm but is highly alert to the presence of the unholy incense. ### [XXI: The Magician](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxi-the-magician) Stands looking out the window, discusses Ferrara's sorcery and the need to watch Myra. ### [The Face in the Orchid-House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxiii-the-face-in-the-orchid-house) Attends to Myra Duquesne, investigates the gardener's report, and returns to Half-Moon Street with Robert. ### [Flowering of the Lotus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxiv-flowering-of-the-lotus) Leads the frantic effort to save Myra, deciphers the ancient manuscript, and destroys the orchid. ### [Cairn Meets Ferrara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxv-cairn-meets-ferrara) Mentioned as Robert's confidant and ally in the fight against Ferrara. ### [The Ivory Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxvi-the-ivory-hand) Robert's father; calls to warn Robert that the cord was stolen from the British Museum and that Ferrara planted it as a focus for sorcery. ### [XXVII: The Thug’s Cord](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxvii-the-thug-s-cord) Arrives at the critical moment, breaks down the door, and saves Robert from strangulation. ### [XXVIII: The High Priest, Hortotef](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxviii-the-high-priest-hortotef) Explains the nature of the elemental spirits attacking the house; reveals the history of Hortotef and the Witch-Queen; describes the Book of Thoth and Ferrara's possession of it; devises a plan to follow the photographer. ### [The Wizard's Den](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxix-the-wizard-s-den) Plans defensive measures for the night, believing Ferrara will make a supreme effort; discusses Ferrara's unnatural nature and victims. ### [The Elemental](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxx-the-elemental) Leads the defense against the elemental, using prepared wax pellets and ancient Egyptian incantations. ### [The Book of Thoth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxxi-the-book-of-thoth) Leads the expedition to the barn, destroys the Book of Thoth, and later confirms the extinction of the Witch-Queen's brood. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/characters/dr_bruce_cairn - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/characters