Sydney Atherton

The Beetle

Sydney Atherton and the Beetle are locked in a fierce, antagonistic struggle, with the Beetle seeking to destroy Atherton and those he protects.

Robert Holt

Robert Holt, after being victimized by the Beetle, becomes a tool used against Sydney Atherton, creating a tense and manipulative dynamic.

Marjorie Lindon

Marjorie Lindon is courted by Sydney Atherton, who is deeply in love with her, though she is initially more attached to Paul Lessingham.

Paul Lessingham

Paul Lessingham and Sydney Atherton are romantic rivals for Marjorie Lindon's affection, leading to mutual resentment and competition.

Mr. Lindon

Mr. Lindon knows Sydney Atherton as a family friend and rival suitor to his daughter, maintaining polite but wary relations.

Augustus Champnell

Augustus Champnell is a private detective hired by Sydney Atherton to investigate the Beetle and protect those in danger.

The Beetle

Sydney Atherton and the Beetle are locked in a fierce, antagonistic struggle, with the Beetle seeking to destroy Atherton and those he protects.

Marjorie Lindon

Marjorie Lindon is courted by Sydney Atherton, who is deeply in love with her, though she is initially more attached to Paul Lessingham.

Robert Holt

Robert Holt, after being victimized by the Beetle, becomes a tool used against Sydney Atherton, creating a tense and manipulative dynamic.

Marjorie Lindon

Marjorie Lindon is courted by Sydney Atherton, who is deeply in love with her, though she is initially more attached to Paul Lessingham.

Paul Lessingham

Paul Lessingham and Sydney Atherton are romantic rivals for Marjorie Lindon's affection, leading to mutual resentment and competition.

Paul Lessingham

Paul Lessingham and Sydney Atherton are romantic rivals for Marjorie Lindon's affection, leading to mutual resentment and competition.

Book II: The Haunted Man

Narrator of Book II; recounts his experiments and personal involvement.

X: Rejected

Declares his love to Marjorie Lindon, is rejected, and reacts with anger and hurt, leaving the ball early.

A Midnight Episode

Narrator; in a temper over Dora Grayling and his feelings for Marjorie, he witnesses a man escape from Lessingham's house and later speaks with Matthews and Lessingham.

A Morning Visitor

Obsessed with Marjorie, Atherton works on a weapon of mass destruction and is visited by a mysterious stranger who offers to help him against Paul Lessingham.

The Picture

Narrator and observer; tries to understand Lessingham's terror and questions him about the beetle image.

The Duchess’ Ball

Narrator and central figure; dances with Dora Grayling, flirts, and discusses his destructive invention. He is tormented by his love for Marjorie Lindon and grows jealous of Paul Lessingham.

XV: Mr. Lessingham Speaks

Narrates the chapter; observes Lessingham's speech with critical admiration, feels jealousy toward Marjorie's praise, and engages in a heated exchange with her.

XVI: Atherton’s Magic Vapour

Narrator of the chapter; takes Percy to supper, questions him about his love for Marjorie, and later demonstrates his 'magic vapour' experiment on a cat.

Magic?—Or Miracle?

Narrator of the chapter; nearly succumbs to his own Magic Vapour but revives and assists Woodville.

XVIII: The Apotheosis of the Beetle

Narrator and observer of the Beetle's transformation; attempts to capture the creature but fails; locks the laboratory door after the encounter.

XIX: The Lady Rages

Distracted and haunted by the Beetle, he forgets his invitation to Dora and struggles to explain his behavior.

A Heavy Father

Receives Mr. Lindon in his private laboratory, listens to his complaints, and is asked to intervene with Marjorie. He feels conflicted.

The Terror in the Night

Receives Marjorie, tries to calm her, prays with her, and becomes aware of Mr. Lindon's eavesdropping.

The Haunted Man

Confronts Lessingham, demands answers about his past and his intentions toward Marjorie.

Book III: The Terror by Night and the Terror by Day

Recipient of Marjorie's story, to whom she reveals her experiences.

XXIV: A Woman’s View

Proposes marriage to Marjorie; described as a genius but erratic, with hypnotic powers and a tendency to be rude to women he likes.

A Father’s No

Still professes love for Marjorie; is rude to Paul Lessingham in the lobby.

XXVIII: The Strange Story of the Man in the Street

Summoned by Marjorie; he listens to Holt's tale, but Marjorie suspects he already knows the story and is concealing information.

XXIX: The House on the Road from the Workhouse

Leads the expedition, skeptical of Holt's condition but intrigued by the hypnotic phenomena, forces entry into the house.

XXX: The Singular Behaviour of Mr. Holt

Watches Holt's strange behavior, decides to follow him, and leaves Marjorie alone in the house.

XXXI: The Terror by Day

Sydney departs to follow Holt, leaving Marjorie alone; she reflects on his serious reaction to Holt's tale.

After Twenty Years

Bursts into Champnell's office in a state of excitement; suspected by Lessingham of conspiring with the intruder from Lessingham's past.

A Bringer of Tidings

Bursts in frantically, urging Champnell to act; reveals his belief that the Beetle has taken Marjorie; is attacked by Lessingham but later offers a handshake.

What the Tidings Were

Agitated and gesticulating wildly in the cab, he recounts the events leading to Marjorie's disappearance and shows the trampled ring.

What Was Hidden Under the Floor

Leads the group back to the villa, notices the closed door and missing furniture, discovers the loose floorboard.

The Rest of the Find

Identifies the dress as Marjorie's; accepts Lessingham's threat and arms the cabman with a revolver to guard the house.

Miss Louisa Coleman

Accompanies Champnell to question Miss Coleman; grows impatient with her delays but ultimately waits.

XL: What Miss Coleman Saw Through the Window

Appears at the end tapping on the window, claiming to have news.

XLI: The Constable—His Clue—and the Cab

Brings the constable's clue, argues that the bundle may contain Marjorie's body, but is later challenged by Champnell.

XLII: The Quarry Doubles

Accompanies Champnell and Lessingham, observing restlessly and refusing to eat.

XLIII: The Murder at Mrs. ’Enderson’s

Silent and focused, leaning out of the cab as if seeing Marjorie's face ahead.

XLIV: The Man Who Was Murdered

Identifies Holt and attempts to get information from him about Marjorie's whereabouts.

The Sudden Stopping

Offers a five-pound note to the driver for speed, shouts during the journey, and shows characteristic bravado.

XLVIII: The Conclusion of the Matter

Married Miss Dora Grayling, became one of the richest men in England, and continues his career as an inventor, notably in aerial flight.