# Mr. Hickory — Hand and Ring character guide > Mr. Hickory in Hand and Ring by Anna Katharine Green. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Hickory, Frank Hickory, Alias Frank Hickory **First appearance:** 0008-viii-the-thickset-man ## Who they are Frank Hickory is the thick-skinned detective who'll stage a cruel farce to close a case—and sleep soundly after, if the evidence holds. ## Relationships ### [Mr. Byrd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_byrd) _friendship_ Mr. Byrd and Mr. Hickory are close friends and allies, often working together or supporting each other. ### [Imogene Dare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/imogene_dare) _friendship_ Imogene and Mr. Hickory share a friendly relationship, with Mr. Hickory as a supportive acquaintance. ### [Craik Mansell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/craik_mansell) _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) _friendship_ Mr. Byrd and Mr. Hickory are close friends and allies, often working together or supporting each other. ### [Mr. Byrd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_byrd) _friendship_ Mr. Byrd and Mr. Hickory are close friends and allies, often working together or supporting each other. ### [Imogene Dare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/imogene_dare) _friendship_ Imogene and Mr. Hickory share a friendly relationship, with Mr. Hickory as a supportive acquaintance. ### [Craik Mansell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/craik_mansell) _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) _friendship_ Imogene and Mr. Hickory share a friendly relationship, with Mr. Hickory as a supportive acquaintance. ## In the story ### [VIII: The Thickset Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/viii-the-thickset-man) The thickset man who makes a comic spring to recover a handkerchief, but Byrd suspects he is a detective with a deeper purpose. ### [Decision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xi-decision) Confident detective who firmly believes Hildreth is guilty and plans to gather more evidence. ### [The Weaving of a Web](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/book-ii-the-weaving-of-a-web) A mysterious presence whose true identity and purpose are gradually revealed, adding a layer of intrigue. ### [XVIII: A Brace of Detectives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xviii-a-brace-of-detectives) Confesses to impersonating Mansell and expresses regret for the trick played on Imogene Dare. ### [Mr. Ferris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xix-mr-ferris) Detective who partners with Byrd and identifies Miss Dare's handwriting in the anonymous letter. ### [A Crisis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xx-a-crisis) Mentioned as the detective who sent the decoy letter to Imogene, which she burns. ### [Craik Mansell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxii-craik-mansell) Mentioned as having doubts about Mansell's innocence. ### [Mr. Orcutt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxiii-mr-orcutt) Detective who expresses his belief that Mansell is guilty, influencing Ferris's decision. ### [Among Telescopes and Charts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxv-among-telescopes-and-charts) Investigates Miss Dare's whereabouts and confronts her in the observatory. ### [The Scales of Justice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/book-iii-the-scales-of-justice) Reveals himself as a fellow detective and testifies for the defense. ### [The Great Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxvii-the-great-trial) Engages in a candid conversation with Byrd, sharing observations about Mansell's behavior and questioning the meaning behind his contemptuous air. ### [The Opening of the Defence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxix-the-opening-of-the-defence) Holds his breath during Orcutt's opening statement. ### [XXX: Byrd Uses His Pencil Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxx-byrd-uses-his-pencil-again) Observes Miss Dare's reactions during Orcutt's speech and concludes she knows more than she reveals. He volunteers to make the run to test the defense's timeline, showing his athleticism and commitment to the truth. ### [XXXII: Hickory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxii-hickory) Testifies for the defense, describing his attempt to run from Mrs. Clemmens' house to Monteith Quarry Station in ninety minutes, completing it in one hundred and five minutes. ### [A Late Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxiii-a-late-discovery) Testifies for the defense and later reveals to Byrd that he has given the District Attorney a point to consider, suggesting Miss Dare has not told all she knows. ### [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) Reveals he spent the night watching Imogene's window, noting her packing and letter-writing; expresses curiosity and doubt about her intentions. ### [Pro and Con](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxv-pro-and-con) Argues for stopping the prosecution, presents a theory that Mansell's actions prove his innocence, and reveals his deception of Miss Dare. ### [XXXVI: A Mistake Rectified](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxvi-a-mistake-rectified) Admits to disguising himself as Mansell and tricking Imogene. ### [XXXVII: Under the Great Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxvii-under-the-great-tree) Accompanies Byrd in following Imogene, correctly deducing she is going to see Orcutt. ### [XXXVIII: Unexpected Words](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxviii-unexpected-words) Receives orders from the mysterious gentleman to guard the sickroom. ### [Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxix-mr-gryce) The detective who escorts Ferris and Tredwell to meet Gryce. ### [XL: In the Prison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xl-in-the-prison) Mentioned as one of the detectives who deceived Miss Dare into believing Mansell guilty. ### [XLII: Consultations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xlii-consultations) Provides information about Orcutt's early life and his brief interest in Miss Pratt. ### [The Widow Clemmens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xliv-the-widow-clemmens) Confirms the marriage record and supports the detectives' conclusions. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_hickory - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters