# James Bisset — Simon character guide > James Bisset in Simon by J. Storer Clouston. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Bisset, Mr. James Bisset, Mr. Bisset, the learned Bisset **First appearance:** 0008-ix-a-philosopher ## Snapshot The Cromartys' butler, whose expressionless service conceals a lecturer's vanity and a passion for measurement, sketch plans, and the deductive process. ## Who they are Bisset moves behind the lunch chairs as the perfect silent servant, then reappears in the butler's sitting room with a sheet of note paper, two crosses marked A and B, and a theory about a broken table leg, dried mud, and a hearth brush. He treats crime as a science of small details the ordinary observer misses, and he is delighted to have an audience in Ned Cromarty. His confident deductions give the investigation its shape — and his complacency makes him exactly the kind of witness whose certainty deserves a second look. ## Relationships ### [Ned Cromarty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters/ned_cromarty) _friendship_ James and Ned are loyal friends, often collaborating and standing together against common threats. ### [Sir Reginald Cromarty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters/sir_reginald_cromarty) _professional_ James and Sir Reginald have a professional connection, likely as employee and employer or business partners. ### [Cicely Farmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters/cicely_farmond) _friendship_ Cicely and James are friendly allies, sharing a mutual respect and often cooperating in their efforts. ### [F. T. Carrington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters/f_t_carrington) _friendship_ Carrington and James are steadfast friends, frequently working together and supporting each other's causes. ### [Sir Reginald Cromarty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters/sir_reginald_cromarty) _professional_ James and Sir Reginald have a professional connection, likely as employee and employer or business partners. ### [F. T. Carrington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters/f_t_carrington) _friendship_ Carrington and James are steadfast friends, frequently working together and supporting each other's causes. ### [Cicely Farmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters/cicely_farmond) _friendship_ Cicely and James are friendly allies, sharing a mutual respect and often cooperating in their efforts. ### [Ned Cromarty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters/ned_cromarty) _friendship_ James and Ned are loyal friends, often collaborating and standing together against common threats. ### [Cicely Farmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters/cicely_farmond) _friendship_ Cicely and James are friendly allies, sharing a mutual respect and often cooperating in their efforts. ### [Ned Cromarty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters/ned_cromarty) _friendship_ James and Ned are loyal friends, often collaborating and standing together against common threats. ### [F. T. Carrington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters/f_t_carrington) _friendship_ Carrington and James are steadfast friends, frequently working together and supporting each other's causes. ## In the story ### [V: The Third Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/v-the-third-visitor) Cicely mentions having drawn information about the Cromarty family history from him. ### [A Philosopher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/ix-a-philosopher) Reveals his philosophical and inquisitive nature while repairing Cicely's bicycle; discusses Ned Cromarty's reputation and the principle of foreign substances near the brain. ### [XI: News](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xi-news) The butler who discovered the body; provides key observations about the disturbed table, sealing wax, and India rubber, and notes Sir Reginald's habits regarding windows. ### [XII: Cicely](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xii-cicely) Efficiently manages the household, leads Ned to Cicely, serves lunch, and later announces he has arrived at certain conclusions. ### [XIII: The Deductive Process](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xiii-the-deductive-process) Presents his deductive analysis of the murder scene, including a sketch plan and measurements, but inadvertently implicates himself. ### [XIV: The Question of Motive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xiv-the-question-of-motive) His discoveries of a broken table leg, mud fragments, and a moved hearth brush are discussed as potential evidence. ### [XV: Two Women](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xv-two-women) Observes the tension and advises Cicely to take a change of air, suggesting a seaside resort. ### [XVI: Rumour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xvi-rumour) Presents his flawed deduction about a wild man from America, then reluctantly shares the county rumor about Malcolm and Cicely, showing his discomfort. ### [XXII: Mr. Carrington and the Fiscal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxii-mr-carrington-and-the-fiscal) Mentioned as the butler at Keldale House; Carrington plans to interview him under the pretense of discussing shooting. ### [XXIII: Simon's Views](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxiii-simon-s-views) Mentioned as a legatee and someone Carrington plans to interview. ### [Mr. Bisset's Assistant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxiv-mr-bisset-s-assistant) Welcomes Carrington, shares his theories about the murder, and assists in the investigation of the library. ### [At Stanesland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxvi-at-stanesland) Referenced in Carrington's conversation with Ned; Carrington dismisses Bisset's theory about the window entry and notes Bisset's desire to protect the family's reputation. ### [The Letter Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxxi-the-letter-again) Bisset informs Carrington of Cicely Farmond's sudden disappearance and mentions her fear of being out alone in the dark. ### [XXXIV: A Confidential Conversation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxxiv-a-confidential-conversation) Informed Carrington about Cicely's flight. ### [XXXVII: Bisset's Advice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/chapters/xxxvii-bisset-s-advice) Advises Cicely to leave Keldale, resigns his position, and brings her to Stanesland. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters/james_bisset - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/simon_se/characters