# Craik Mansell — Hand and Ring character guide > Craik Mansell in Hand and Ring by Anna Katharine Green. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mansell, Craik, young Mansell **First appearance:** 0023-xxii-craik-mansell ## Who they are A sombre, herculean young man at the center of the murder inquiry, Craik Mansell is watched by detectives who cannot decide if he is victim or killer. ## Relationships ### [Mr. Byrd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_byrd) _rivalry_ Craik Mansell and Mr. Byrd are rivals, possibly competing for Imogene's affection or in a professional conflict. ### [Imogene Dare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/imogene_dare) _romantic_ Craik Mansell is a suitor to Imogene, but his feelings may be unrequited or complicated. ### [Mr. Orcutt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_orcutt) _professional_ Craik Mansell and Mr. Orcutt have a professional relationship, possibly as lawyer and client or business associates. ### [Mr. Hickory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_hickory) _rivalry_ Craik Mansell and Mr. Hickory are rivals, possibly competing for influence or in a personal conflict. ### [Mr. Byrd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_byrd) _rivalry_ Craik Mansell and Mr. Byrd are rivals, possibly competing for Imogene's affection or in a professional conflict. ### [Mr. Hickory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_hickory) _rivalry_ Craik Mansell and Mr. Hickory are rivals, possibly competing for influence or in a personal conflict. ### [Imogene Dare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/imogene_dare) _romantic_ Craik Mansell is a suitor to Imogene, but his feelings may be unrequited or complicated. ### [Mr. Orcutt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_orcutt) _professional_ Craik Mansell and Mr. Orcutt have a professional relationship, possibly as lawyer and client or business associates. ### [Imogene Dare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/imogene_dare) _romantic_ Craik Mansell is a suitor to Imogene, but his feelings may be unrequited or complicated. ### [Mr. Orcutt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_orcutt) _professional_ Craik Mansell and Mr. Orcutt have a professional relationship, possibly as lawyer and client or business associates. ### [Mr. Byrd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_byrd) _rivalry_ Craik Mansell and Mr. Byrd are rivals, possibly competing for Imogene's affection or in a professional conflict. ## In the story ### [The Weaving of a Web](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/book-ii-the-weaving-of-a-web) A young man whose fate becomes intertwined with the investigation, his actions and connections are under scrutiny. ### [XII: The Spider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xii-the-spider) Byrd suspects him as the murderer, though he does not voice this to Miss Dare. ### [XIII: The Fly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xiii-the-fly) The man Byrd has been following, now confirmed as the nephew of Mrs. Clemmens. He is portrayed as somber, powerful, and not talkative, and is angered by the intrusions of Byrd and Brown. He is seen holding a photograph of Imogene Dare with a black cross drawn across her face. ### [XIV: A Last Attempt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xiv-a-last-attempt) The young man under suspicion, whose absence from home on the day of the murder and passion for invention are key points of interest. ### [XV: The End of a Tortuous Path](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xv-the-end-of-a-tortuous-path) His escape route is confirmed by the stationmaster, solidifying Byrd's suspicions. ### [XVI: Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xvi-storm) Hiding in the hut, he is overwhelmed by guilt and asks Imogene how to escape the consequences of his act. ### [A Surprise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xvii-a-surprise) Expected to be the hut's occupant, but is not the person who turns to face Byrd. ### [XVIII: A Brace of Detectives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xviii-a-brace-of-detectives) The prime suspect; Byrd and Hickory discuss gathering evidence against him. ### [Mr. Ferris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xix-mr-ferris) Nephew of Mrs. Clemmens, now suspected by Byrd and Hickory based on circumstantial evidence. ### [A Crisis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xx-a-crisis) The letter Imogene receives is supposedly from him, though it is a decoy from Hickory. ### [XXI: Heart's Martyrdom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxi-heart-s-martyrdom) Implicated as the one who offered the ring to Imogene, becoming the prime suspect in the murder investigation. ### [Craik Mansell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxii-craik-mansell) Questioned about his aunt's murder; maintains composure but offers no clear alibi. ### [Mr. Orcutt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxiii-mr-orcutt) The subject of suspicion; Imogene's testimony and Hickory's doubts point toward his indictment. ### [A True Bill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxiv-a-true-bill) Though not present, he is the subject of the Grand Jury's indictment and the cause of Imogene's anguish. ### [XXVI: “He Shall Hear Me!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxvi-he-shall-hear-me) He is mentioned as refusing to receive any communication from Miss Dare, showing hatred and scorn. ### [The Scales of Justice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/book-iii-the-scales-of-justice) Summoned for questioning, indicted by the Grand Jury, and ultimately acquitted. ### [The Great Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxvii-the-great-trial) The prisoner on trial, whose quiet plea of 'Not guilty' and curious air of disdain are subjects of the detectives' discussion. ### [XXVIII: The Chief Witness for the Prosecution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxviii-the-chief-witness-for-the-prosecution) The prisoner, who maintains a composed demeanor while facing the testimony of the woman he loves. ### [The Opening of the Defence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxix-the-opening-of-the-defence) The prisoner, who lifts his head as his counsel speaks. ### [XXX: Byrd Uses His Pencil Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxx-byrd-uses-his-pencil-again) The defendant whose guilt is being debated. His flight path is the subject of the planned test run. ### [XXXI: The Chief Witness for the Defence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxi-the-chief-witness-for-the-defence) Remains composed and unmoved as the trial progresses. ### [XXXII: Hickory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxii-hickory) The prisoner, whose reaction to Hickory's testimony is observed by Byrd, showing a faint, disdainful smile. ### [What Was Hid Behind Imogene’s Veil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxiv-what-was-hid-behind-imogene-s-veil) Shows less disdain toward Imogene, then dramatically renounces his defense, confessing he crossed the river on a log, thereby admitting his own guilt. ### [Pro and Con](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxv-pro-and-con) The prisoner whose guilt is being debated; his actions, like defacing a picture, are analyzed to determine his innocence or guilt. ### [XXXVII: Under the Great Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxvii-under-the-great-tree) Though not present, his actions and beliefs are central to the chapter. He has forsaken his defense and believes Imogene's confession. ### [XL: In the Prison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xl-in-the-prison) Prisoner, deeply troubled, learns of Orcutt's death and Miss Dare's perjury, struggles with his own suspicions. ### [XLI: A Link Supplied](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xli-a-link-supplied) The prisoner whose flight and statements provide crucial information for Gryce's theory. ### [XLIII: Mrs. Firman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xliii-mrs-firman) His trial is ongoing; the contents of the envelope may prove his innocence. ### [XLV: Mr. Gryce Says Goodbye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xlv-mr-gryce-says-goodbye) Acquitted of murder; his release is celebrated by the town, and he appears at Imogene's door at the end of the chapter. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/craik_mansell - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters