Mr. Felix

Inspector Burnley

Inspector Burnley interrogates and investigates Mr. Felix as a key suspect in the murder case.

M. Boirac

M. Boirac and Mr. Felix are locked in a tense conflict over business and personal grievances, with Felix suspected of murder.

Clifford

Clifford is a servant or employee of Mr. Felix, assisting him in his affairs.

Dr. William Martin

Dr. William Martin is Mr. Felix's personal physician, attending to his health and medical needs.

M. Le Gautier

M. Le Gautier is a lawyer or legal advisor to Mr. Felix, handling his legal matters.

M. Lefarge

M. Lefarge and Mr. Felix are adversaries, with Lefarge suspected of conspiring against Felix.

Mr. Georges La Touche

Mr. Felix and Georges La Touche are enemies, with Felix accusing La Touche of ruining his life.

Inspector Burnley

Inspector Burnley interrogates and investigates Mr. Felix as a key suspect in the murder case.

M. Lefarge

M. Lefarge and Mr. Felix are adversaries, with Lefarge suspected of conspiring against Felix.

Clifford

Clifford is a servant or employee of Mr. Felix, assisting him in his affairs.

Inspector Burnley

Inspector Burnley interrogates and investigates Mr. Felix as a key suspect in the murder case.

Dr. William Martin

Dr. William Martin is Mr. Felix's personal physician, attending to his health and medical needs.

Part I: London

Involved in the story of the cask, later explains to Inspector Burnley.

A Strange Consignment

The consignee of the cask, who arrives to claim it and later leaves an empty envelope for Mr. Avery.

IV: A Midnight Interview

Returns home late at night and is interviewed by Burnley; admits the cask contains gold sovereigns.

Felix Tells a Story

Provides a detailed statement about the cask and his Paris connections; leads Burnley to the coach-house only to find the cask missing.

VI: The Art of Detection

Amazed and angered by the theft, provides an alibi and information about the carter and a possible contact, Mr. Percy Murgatroyd.

VII: The Cask at Last

Mentioned as the person who hired Palmer to move the cask; Burnley hopes he will not prosecute.

VIII: The Opening of the Cask

Accompanies Burnley to Scotland Yard, identifies the dead woman as Annette Boirac, and collapses from shock.

IX: M. le Chef de la Sûreté

Mentioned as being prostrated from shock and delirious; unable to provide a statement about the dead woman.

XI: Mm. Dupierre Et Cie

Mentioned as the buyer of the statuary; his letter ordering the cask is presented.

At the Gare St. Lazare

Mentioned as having telephoned about the cask and visited Paris ten days earlier; his order letter is compared to his handwriting.

XIV: M. Boirac Makes a Statement

Identified in Annette's letter as the man she has gone to; he was a guest at the dinner party.

XV: The House in the Avenue de l'Alma

Mentioned as the guest who stayed late after the dinner party, waiting for books.

Inspector Burnley Up Against It

Central figure in the timeline; believed to have eloped with Madame Boirac and ordered the statue; his alibi and movements are scrutinized.

A Council of War

Discussed as a prime suspect; his possible motives, the black-bearded man identification, and his surprise at the body's discovery are examined.

XVIII: Lefarge Hunts Alone

His departure from the Hotel Continental on Sunday, March 28, is confirmed by hotel porter Karl; he traveled by the 8:20 boat train.

XIX: The Testing of an Alibi

Implicated as the alternative suspect if Boirac is innocent.

XX: Some Damning Evidence

Absent due to hospitalization; his villa is searched and his belongings yield incriminating evidence, including a letter and a pin.

XXI: A New Point of View

Arrested for murder, he is visited by Martin and expresses bewilderment at the charges.

XXII: Felix Tells a Second Story

Tells his second story to Clifford, swearing innocence and recounting his past and the week's events.

XXIII: Clifford Gets to Work

Felix's statement is reviewed by Clifford; he claims to have left the Boirac house at 11:45 p.m. and walked about Paris, but has no alibi.

Mr. Georges La Touche

The suspected man; Clifford and Heppenstall are building a defense theory that Boirac framed him for the murder.

XXVII: La Touche’s Dilemma

Mentioned as the accused man on whose behalf La Touche is working; his past relationship with Mme. Boirac has been discovered by police.

XXVIII: The Unravelling of the Web

The artist to whom Boirac sent the cask containing the body; suspected of eloping with Madame Boirac.

A Dramatic Dénouement

The intended victim of Boirac's plot; his house and belongings were used to frame him for the murder.

XXX: Conclusion

Receives reparation by marrying Heppenstall's daughter and moving to the Mediterranean.