# Spire — Suspense character guide

> Spire in Suspense by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the imperturbable Spire

**First appearance:** 0001-suspense

## Snapshot

Cosmo Latham's imperturbable manservant, who loads pistols, inspects door locks, and quietly proposes befriending a pretty stranger as the safest route into a dangerous town.

## Who they are

Spire serves Cosmo Latham in a Genoa inn he plainly distrusts, sleeping on a pallet in the corridor with the carriage fur rug and keeping the primed pistols within reach. His loyalty is practical rather than sentimental: he lies stolidly about a suspicious man's whereabouts to keep ragamuffins away from his master's room, then coolly suggests that the way to arrange a private talk is to make friends with the young woman the fellow was courting. He matters because his wary competence turns Cosmo's vague unease into concrete precautions, and because his suggestion opens the door to the intrigue Cosmo is about to walk into.

## Relationships

### [Cosmo Latham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/cosmo_latham)

_friendship_

Spire is a loyal and resourceful companion, often acting as Cosmo's right-hand man in dangerous situations.

### [Sir Charles Latham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/sir_charles_latham)

_professional_

Spire serves as Sir Charles's agent, carrying out tasks and gathering information for the elder Latham.

### [Sir Charles Latham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/sir_charles_latham)

_professional_

Spire serves as Sir Charles's agent, carrying out tasks and gathering information for the elder Latham.

### [Cosmo Latham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/cosmo_latham)

_friendship_

Spire is a loyal and resourceful companion, often acting as Cosmo's right-hand man in dangerous situations.

### [Cosmo Latham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/cosmo_latham)

_friendship_

Spire is a loyal and resourceful companion, often acting as Cosmo's right-hand man in dangerous situations.

### [Sir Charles Latham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/sir_charles_latham)

_professional_

Spire serves as Sir Charles's agent, carrying out tasks and gathering information for the elder Latham.

## In the story

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-i-iv)

Reports on the seditious talk in the couriers' room and expresses concern about the changing times in Italy.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-ii-i)

Cosmo's servant, who warns him about the man in the cap being at the inn.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-ii-ii)

Assists Cosmo with dressing and delivers messages, providing a calm and observant presence.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-iii-ii)

Cosmo's valet, who is shocked by his master's strange behavior and suggests he dine in his room.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/spire
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters