# Paul Fordingbridge — Mystery at Lynden Sands character guide

> Paul Fordingbridge in Mystery at Lynden Sands by J. J. Connington.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Mr. Fordingbridge, Fordingbridge, Paul

**First appearance:** 0000-i-the-death-at-foxhills

## Snapshot

The Foxhills landowner whose family history with the dead man Staveley makes him both indispensable witness and uneasy suspect.

## Who they are

Paul Fordingbridge identifies Staveley's body without hesitation and recounts, in a colourless voice, how the man married his niece in 1917, forged his name on a cheque, and was posted missing after a battle. He pricks up his ears at the word 'search-warrant' and answers Sir Clinton's questions smoothly, but Wendover notes how little they actually got out of him. His composure under pressure makes him the kind of witness a reader wants to watch.

## Relationships

### [Sir Clinton Driffield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mystery_at_lynden_sands_se/characters/sir_clinton_driffield)

_professional_

Paul Fordingbridge seeks Sir Clinton Driffield's help regarding his family's troubles and the unfolding mystery.

### [Derek Fordingbridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mystery_at_lynden_sands_se/characters/derek_fordingbridge)

_family_

Derek and Paul Fordingbridge are brothers, with Derek being the more troubled and secretive sibling.

### [Sir Clinton Driffield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mystery_at_lynden_sands_se/characters/sir_clinton_driffield)

_professional_

Paul Fordingbridge seeks Sir Clinton Driffield's help regarding his family's troubles and the unfolding mystery.

### [Derek Fordingbridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mystery_at_lynden_sands_se/characters/derek_fordingbridge)

_family_

Derek and Paul Fordingbridge are brothers, with Derek being the more troubled and secretive sibling.

### [Sir Clinton Driffield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mystery_at_lynden_sands_se/characters/sir_clinton_driffield)

_professional_

Paul Fordingbridge seeks Sir Clinton Driffield's help regarding his family's troubles and the unfolding mystery.

## In the story

### [I: The Death at Foxhills](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mystery_at_lynden_sands_se/chapters/i-the-death-at-foxhills)

Discusses managing Derek's estate and letting Foxhills; skeptical of his sister's spiritualist claims.

### [IV: What Happened in the Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mystery_at_lynden_sands_se/chapters/iv-what-happened-in-the-night)

Arrives at the scene with his sister, driving the car that pulls up at the lane.

### [V: The Diary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mystery_at_lynden_sands_se/chapters/v-the-diary)

Shows reluctance and irritation during the search; his reaction to the diary's loss suggests hidden concern.

### [IX: The Second Cartridge-Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mystery_at_lynden_sands_se/chapters/ix-the-second-cartridge-case)

Identifies Staveley's body, provides details about Staveley's past and his nephew Derek's wartime disappearance, and expresses doubt about the man at Flatt's cottage being his nephew.

### [XII: The Fordingbridge Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mystery_at_lynden_sands_se/chapters/xii-the-fordingbridge-mystery)

Has disappeared after going out late at night; suspected of financial wrongdoing and possibly faking his own disappearance.

### [XIV: The Telegram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mystery_at_lynden_sands_se/chapters/xiv-the-telegram)

Suspected of manipulating events; sends a letter to Cressida arranging a meeting at the Blowhole.

### [XV: The Method of Coercion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mystery_at_lynden_sands_se/chapters/xv-the-method-of-coercion)

Mentioned as having sent the deceptive note to Cressida; he is said to be 'unexpectedly detained' and does not appear.

### [XVII: The Threads in the Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mystery_at_lynden_sands_se/chapters/xvii-the-threads-in-the-case)

Discussed as a possible suspect; his lack of interest in investigating the claim and his attitude toward Peter Hay's death are noted.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mystery_at_lynden_sands_se/characters/paul_fordingbridge
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mystery_at_lynden_sands_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mystery_at_lynden_sands_se/characters