# Herbert Endicott — Murder by the Clock character guide > Herbert Endicott in Murder by the Clock by Rufus King. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Endicott, Mr. Herbert Endicott **First appearance:** 0000-i-8-37-p-m-spring-3100 ## Snapshot A reticent man who made a fetish of silence, half animal and half fog, whose elaborately lied-about evenings finally caught up with him. ## Who they are Herbert Endicott is dead before the novel properly begins, but he dominates it through the testimony of everyone who knew him. His wife describes a man who talked elaborately only when lying, who kept weekly impromptu reunions at the Yale Club that were neither impromptu nor at the Yale Club, and who was found dressed for outdoors without his hat. His weakness, his cruelty, and his refusal to be understood made him a target long before anyone pulled a trigger — and the question of who finally did is the engine of the whole case. ## In the story ### [I: 8:37 p.m.—Spring 3100](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/i-8-37-p-m-spring-3100) Mentioned as having left to visit Marge Myles; his room and belongings are examined. ### [II: 9:24 p.m.—Hallmarks of Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/ii-9-24-p-m-hallmarks-of-murder) Found dead in the cupboard, with a missing top button on his overcoat. ### [III: 9:45 p.m.—Guards Are Stationed at the Doors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/iii-9-45-p-m-guards-are-stationed-at-the-doors) The deceased, found slumped in a cupboard; his death is the focus of the investigation. ### [IV: 10:02 p.m.—Pale Flares the Darkness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/iv-10-02-p-m-pale-flares-the-darkness) Discussed at length; his habits, his lies about the Yale Club, and his heart condition are central to the conversation. ### [VI: 10:32 p.m.—Pictures in Dust](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/vi-10-32-p-m-pictures-in-dust) Lying on the bed, appearing dead but with a chance of being revived. His body was found in the cupboard. ### [VIII: 11:28 p.m.—Mrs. Endicott Screams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/viii-11-28-p-m-mrs-endicott-screams) Revived by Dr. Worth, but his condition is serious and he may not regain consciousness. ### [XI: 12:15 a.m.—To Watch by Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xi-12-15-a-m-to-watch-by-night) Unconscious and in serious condition after a heart attack caused by a sudden shock. ### [XII: 12:30 a.m.—Madame Velasquez Stirs Up Muck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xii-12-30-a-m-madame-velasquez-stirs-up-muck) Mentioned as having failed to meet Marge, and later revealed to have been attacked. ### [XIII: 2:01 a.m.—Glittering Eyes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xiii-2-01-a-m-glittering-eyes) The unconscious patient, guarded by police and watched over by Hollander. ### [XV: 2:13 a.m.—The Thin Steel Blade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xv-2-13-a-m-the-thin-steel-blade) The patient, showing signs of regaining consciousness, his eyelids twitching and eyes opening. ### [XVI: 2:13 a.m.—Time Versus Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xvi-2-13-a-m-time-versus-death) Weak and recovering, he confronts Hollander and insists he will tell the police the truth. ### [XVIII: 3:00 a.m.—Thin Haze of Dread](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xviii-3-00-a-m-thin-haze-of-dread) Dead, covered with a sheet on the bed, the victim of the crime. ### [XIX: 3:15 a.m.—The Properties of Horror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xix-3-15-a-m-the-properties-of-horror) The victim, whose body lies covered on the bed; Valcour uncovers his face while waiting for Roberts. ### [XX: 3:24 a.m.—On Private Heights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xx-3-24-a-m-on-private-heights) The deceased, described as a 'tame tiger' controlled by his wife, and a man who never recovered from being a soldier. ### [XXIII: 4:29 a.m.—A Turn of the Screw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxiii-4-29-a-m-a-turn-of-the-screw) Mentioned as the murdered husband. ### [XXVI: 5:25 a.m.—There Was a Sailor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxvi-5-25-a-m-there-was-a-sailor) His past actions toward a servant girl are discussed, revealing a pattern of brutality. ### [XXVIII: 6:00 a.m.—Mist Drifting Through Mist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxviii-6-00-a-m-mist-drifting-through-mist) Deceased; Mrs. Endicott reflects on her love for him and the events leading to his death. ### [XXIX: 6:30 a.m.—As Is Mirage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxix-6-30-a-m-as-is-mirage) The victim, whose death Valcour believes was caused by Marge Myles, either through a heart attack or a gunshot wound. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters/herbert_endicott - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/characters