# Sir Clinton Driffield — Murder in the Maze character guide > Sir Clinton Driffield in Murder in the Maze by J. J. Connington. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Clinton, Driffield, Sir **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-hackleton-case ## Snapshot A detective who treats exact times as the skeleton key to the maze murders, patient with panicked witnesses but relentless in pinning down every footstep. ## Who they are Sir Clinton Driffield arrives at Whistlefield to untangle two bodies, a burglary, and a houseful of nervous alibis, and he works by clockwork: 3:52, 4:42, 5:16. He soothes Vera Forrest through her account without ever loosening his grip on the one detail that matters, and he refuses to arrest on suspicion alone. His methodical calm is the still center around which the household's panic and evasions spin. ## Relationships ### [Wendover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/characters/wendover) _friendship_ Sir Clinton and Wendover are close allies, with Wendover often assisting in investigations. ### [Ernest Shandon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/characters/ernest_shandon) _rivalry_ Ernest Shandon is a primary suspect and antagonist, clashing frequently with Sir Clinton's investigative efforts. ### [Mr. Stenness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/characters/mr_stenness) _professional_ Mr. Stenness is a colleague or local official who collaborates with Sir Clinton on the murder case. ### [Arthur Hawkhurst](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/characters/arthur_hawkhurst) _rivalry_ Arthur Hawkhurst is a hostile figure who opposes Sir Clinton's inquiries and harbors secrets. ### [Dr. Ardsley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/characters/dr_ardsley) _professional_ Dr. Ardsley provides medical expertise and assists Sir Clinton in analyzing the murder evidence. ### [The Squire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/characters/the_squire) _social_ The Squire is a local landowner who interacts with Sir Clinton as part of the community and investigation. ### [Sylvia Hawkhurst](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/characters/sylvia_hawkhurst) _psychological_ Sylvia Hawkhurst is a manipulative figure who tries to influence Sir Clinton's investigation for her own ends. ### [Roger Shandon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/characters/roger_shandon) _professional_ Roger Shandon cooperates with Sir Clinton as a witness and local figure in the murder investigation. ### [Wendover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/characters/wendover) _friendship_ Sir Clinton and Wendover are close allies, with Wendover often assisting in investigations. ### [Mr. Stenness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/characters/mr_stenness) _professional_ Mr. Stenness is a colleague or local official who collaborates with Sir Clinton on the murder case. ### [Ernest Shandon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/characters/ernest_shandon) _rivalry_ Ernest Shandon is a primary suspect and antagonist, clashing frequently with Sir Clinton's investigative efforts. ### [The Squire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/characters/the_squire) _social_ The Squire is a local landowner who interacts with Sir Clinton as part of the community and investigation. ## In the story ### [IV: The Chief Constable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/chapters/iv-the-chief-constable) The Chief Constable arrives with Wendover, examines the bodies, photographs the crime scenes, and tracks the murderer's path with a dog. ### [The Evidence in the Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/chapters/v-the-evidence-in-the-case) Leads the investigation, collecting evidence and testimonies from the household. ### [VI: The Toxicologist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/chapters/vi-the-toxicologist) Leads the investigation, visits Dr. Ardsley to identify the poison, and orchestrates securing the curare supply while making covert purchases. ### [VII: The Pot of Curare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/chapters/vii-the-pot-of-curare) Chief Constable; arrives at Whistlefield to take the curare pot; examines the darts and questions Arthur about airguns. ### [VIII: Opportunity, Method, and Motive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/chapters/viii-opportunity-method-and-motive) Leads the discussion on the principles of criminal investigation, outlining opportunity, method, and motive. He challenges Wendover's theories and reflects on the complexity of real evidence versus fictional detective stories. ### [IX: The Burglary at Whistlefield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/chapters/ix-the-burglary-at-whistlefield) Appears tired and worried at breakfast; receives the burglary call and leads the investigation at Whistlefield. ### [X: The Third Attack in the Maze](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/chapters/x-the-third-attack-in-the-maze) Investigates the burglary and advises Ernest Shandon on safety; shows contempt for Ernest's cowardice. ### [XI: The Squire's Theories](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/chapters/xi-the-squire-s-theories) Engages in theorizing with Wendover, reveals the murderer is local, finds the cigar-case and thread, and hints at knowing the murderer. ### [The Fourth Attack](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/chapters/xii-the-fourth-attack) Directs the pursuit, examines the dart and airgun, and remains calm under pressure. ### [The Dart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/chapters/xiii-the-dart) Sir Clinton reveals he orchestrated the bridge party as a trap for the murderer, expecting to be the target, and is now troubled by the uncertainty of the shot's intended victim. ### [The Forged Cheque](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/chapters/xiv-the-forged-cheque) Interviews Stenness about the forged cheque and presents a hypothetical case of forgery and murder. ### [XV: The Secretary's Affairs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/chapters/xv-the-secretary-s-affairs) Listens to Stenness's confession, questions his moral reasoning, and ultimately decides to give him a chance by having him secure the money. ### [XVI: The Last Attack in the Maze](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/chapters/xvi-the-last-attack-in-the-maze) Reveals he knows the murderer's identity and has recovered stolen money; decides to delay arrest until morning to avoid scandal; makes a coded phone call to the police station. ### [XVII: The Siege in the Maze](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/chapters/xvii-the-siege-in-the-maze) Leads the siege, arms the party, and orchestrates the capture of Ernest Shandon. He recovers a letter from the body. ### [XVIII: The Truth of the Matter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/chapters/xviii-the-truth-of-the-matter) Delivers the full reconstruction of the murders, analyzing evidence and motives. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/characters/sir_clinton_driffield - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/murder_in_the_maze_se/characters