Short Fiction · Character
Dick Henley
An investigator posing as James Burton, a retired ship's chandler, he probes the death of Captain Gunner at the Excelsior boardinghouse and finds the case maddeningly opaque.
supporting
Also known as Dick, Henley
First appearance: when papa swore in hindustani
As a supporting figure in Short Fiction, Dick Henley is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
The other rival; proposes the cricket match as a way to settle the competition for Dolly.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Writing under the alias James Burton, Henley reports to Mr. Snyder on his inquiries into Captain Gunner's death by Indian snake poison. He finds no motive, no violent enemies, and only a strange, silent landlady named…
Continue beside the text
The fuller portrait of Dick Henley sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Dick Henley in when papa swore in hindustaniCharacter Web
17 connectionsA slice of how Dick Henley sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Friends and central young men
- Comedy and authority figures
- Central cast of characters
+12 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional peak occurs when the narrator’s pervasive homesickness and alienation crystallize as she hears t…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingIn the story
Dick Henley appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Dick Henley unlock in the free preview.
See Dick Henley in when papa swore in hindustani