# Mr. Orcutt — Hand and Ring character guide > Mr. Orcutt in Hand and Ring by Anna Katharine Green. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Tremont B. Orcutt, Tremont Orcutt, Orcutt **First appearance:** 0001-i-a-startling-coincidence ## Who they are A celebrated lawyer who never married and never explained, Orcutt takes the defense—while a diamond ring and an old Nebraska name quietly implicate him. ## Relationships ### [Imogene Dare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/imogene_dare) _professional_ Imogene is a client or associate of Mr. Orcutt, likely a legal or business connection with underlying tension. ### [Mr. Byrd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_byrd) _professional_ Mr. Byrd and Mr. Orcutt have a professional relationship, possibly as lawyer and client or colleagues. ### [Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_gryce) _professional_ Mr. Gryce and Mr. Orcutt work together professionally, possibly in law enforcement or legal investigation. ### [Craik Mansell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/craik_mansell) _professional_ Craik Mansell and Mr. Orcutt have a professional relationship, possibly as lawyer and client or business associates. ### [Mrs. Clemmens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mrs_clemmens) _social_ Mr. Orcutt and Mrs. Clemmens are acquaintances, possibly through social circles or community events. ### [Imogene Dare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/imogene_dare) _professional_ Imogene is a client or associate of Mr. Orcutt, likely a legal or business connection with underlying tension. ### [Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_gryce) _professional_ Mr. Gryce and Mr. Orcutt work together professionally, possibly in law enforcement or legal investigation. ### [Imogene Dare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/imogene_dare) _professional_ Imogene is a client or associate of Mr. Orcutt, likely a legal or business connection with underlying tension. ### [Mr. Byrd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_byrd) _professional_ Mr. Byrd and Mr. Orcutt have a professional relationship, possibly as lawyer and client or colleagues. ### [Craik Mansell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/craik_mansell) _professional_ Craik Mansell and Mr. Orcutt have a professional relationship, possibly as lawyer and client or business associates. ### [Mrs. Clemmens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mrs_clemmens) _social_ Mr. Orcutt and Mrs. Clemmens are acquaintances, possibly through social circles or community events. ### [Mr. Byrd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_byrd) _professional_ Mr. Byrd and Mr. Orcutt have a professional relationship, possibly as lawyer and client or colleagues. ## In the story ### [I: A Startling Coincidence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/i-a-startling-coincidence) A criminal lawyer who regularly dines with the Widow Clemmens; he discovers her injured and raises the alarm. ### [II: An Appeal to Heaven](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/ii-an-appeal-to-heaven) The lawyer is present, offers to escort Miss Dare home, and shows a look of perplexity and dismay after the widow's words. ### [IV: Imogene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/iv-imogene) A man who had long resisted women's charms, he is now deeply affected by Imogene Dare. His fear and suspicion about her connection to the murder drive him to propose marriage as a test of her honor. ### [The Weaving of a Web](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/book-ii-the-weaving-of-a-web) A legal figure who becomes involved in the defense, his role and knowledge of the events are hinted at. ### [A Crisis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xx-a-crisis) Obsessed with Imogene, he confronts her about her secret, but refuses to compromise his legal integrity to help her. ### [XXI: Heart's Martyrdom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxi-heart-s-martyrdom) Mentioned as the initial recipient of Ferris's note, but Ferris decides to approach Imogene directly instead. ### [Mr. Orcutt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxiii-mr-orcutt) Confronts Imogene about her testimony and later confronts Ferris about the investigation. His love for Imogene and his professional concerns are in conflict. ### [A True Bill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxiv-a-true-bill) Visits Imogene to inform her of Mansell's indictment, professes his love, and agrees to help Mansell only if Imogene renounces any future marriage to him. ### [XXVI: “He Shall Hear Me!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxvi-he-shall-hear-me) He writes to Imogene, confirming he will defend Mansell and reporting Mansell's refusal to hear her message. ### [The Scales of Justice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/book-iii-the-scales-of-justice) Presents a strong defense for Mansell, but later suffers a fatal accident and confesses on his deathbed. ### [The Great Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxvii-the-great-trial) The defense attorney, noted for his unusually quiet and temperate conduct of the case, leaving his strategy a mystery. ### [XXVIII: The Chief Witness for the Prosecution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxviii-the-chief-witness-for-the-prosecution) Defense counsel who declines to cross-examine Imogene, surprising everyone and raising questions about his motives. ### [The Opening of the Defence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxix-the-opening-of-the-defence) Rises to open the defence, displaying confidence and brilliance. ### [XXX: Byrd Uses His Pencil Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxx-byrd-uses-his-pencil-again) His defense strategy is the focus of the chapter, with Byrd and Hickory working to disprove it. ### [XXXI: The Chief Witness for the Defence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxi-the-chief-witness-for-the-defence) Presents the defense with confidence, calling Hildreth as a witness. ### [XXXII: Hickory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxii-hickory) Examines Hickory, drawing out the details of his run and the time it took, using it to challenge the prosecution's timeline. ### [A Late Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxiii-a-late-discovery) Appears confident and triumphant as the defense rests, smiling at Imogene Dare in a way that leaves a peculiar impression on Mr. Byrd. ### [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) Startled by the prisoner's doubts and the prosecution's new move; objects to Imogene's recall; is overwhelmed by her confession but attempts to dismiss it as frenzy. ### [XXXVII: Under the Great Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxvii-under-the-great-tree) Reacts with anger and jealousy to Imogene's confession. He refuses to actively defend Mansell and reveals that Mansell believes Imogene is the murderer. ### [XXXVIII: Unexpected Words](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxviii-unexpected-words) On his deathbed, he utters cryptic words that seem to implicate himself and express his feelings for Imogene. ### [Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxix-mr-gryce) The dying lawyer whose words on his deathbed are interpreted as a confession by Gryce. ### [XL: In the Prison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xl-in-the-prison) Deceased counsel, struck by a falling limb, may have spoken words before death that change the case. ### [XLI: A Link Supplied](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xli-a-link-supplied) The renowned lawyer now suspected of the murder, with his actions and motives analyzed. ### [XLII: Consultations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xlii-consultations) Subject of the investigation; his past and connection to Mrs. Clemmens are central to the discussion. ### [XLIII: Mrs. Firman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xliii-mrs-firman) Mentioned as the possible secret husband of Mrs. Clemmens and the true murderer. ### [The Widow Clemmens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xliv-the-widow-clemmens) Exposed as the murderer and the widow's secret husband. ### [XLV: Mr. Gryce Says Goodbye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xlv-mr-gryce-says-goodbye) Revealed as the true murderer of Mrs. Clemmens; his deathbed confession is the key to Mansell's acquittal. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_orcutt - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters