Maxwell Cheyne

Joan Merrill

Joan and Maxwell share a deep romantic bond, with frequent interactions suggesting a central love story.

Susan Dangle

Maxwell and Susan appear to be closely related, likely siblings or close family, given their high interaction frequency.

Mr. Speedwell

Maxwell and Mr. Speedwell have a professional relationship, possibly as employer and employee or business associates.

Arnold Price

Arnold Price and Maxwell Cheyne are antagonists, with frequent interactions suggesting conflict or competition.

Blessington

Blessington is likely a servant or employee of Maxwell Cheyne, given the professional dynamic.

Mr. Hubert Parkes

Maxwell and Mr. Hubert Parkes are acquaintances, possibly through social or business circles.

Mr. Arthur Lamson

Maxwell and Mr. Arthur Lamson have a social acquaintance, likely meeting through mutual interests.

Inspector French

Inspector French investigates Maxwell Cheyne, maintaining a formal detective-suspect or detective-ally dynamic.

Brother Fritz

Brother Fritz and Maxwell Cheyne are friends or allies, possibly sharing a common cause or background.

James Dangle

James Dangle is likely a relative of Susan Dangle, and thus connected to Maxwell Cheyne through family ties.

Charles Sime

Charles Sime and Maxwell Cheyne are social acquaintances, possibly from the same community or events.

Mr. Speedwell

Maxwell and Mr. Speedwell have a professional relationship, possibly as employer and employee or business associates.

The Episode in the Plymouth Hotel

The protagonist, who is drugged during a lunch meeting with a stranger in Plymouth.

II: Burglary!

Receives news of the burglary, returns home, interviews the maids, and resolves to investigate the mystery personally.

III: The Launch Enid

Hires Speedwell to investigate the drugging and burglary; later kidnapped on the Enid and pressured to hand over Arnold Price's letter.

Concerning a Peerage

Imprisoned on the launch, Cheyne deduces the motive behind his earlier ordeals and endures a night of thirst and despair before being released.

V: An Amateur Sleuth

Decides to become an amateur sleuth, pursuing the gang on his own initiative; follows Price and Lewisham by train and taxi.

VI: The House in Hopefield Avenue

Observes the gang from a ladder, discovers Susan's betrayal, and enters the room to examine the document.

VII: Miss Joan Merrill

Recovers from the attack, crawls to safety, and later visits Joan Merrill to thank her and share his story.

A Council of War

Returns to his hotel jubilant after visiting Joan Merrill, confirms the Hull barony story is false, and struggles to trace the gang members. He is determined to break into the house again despite risks.

Mr. Speedwell Plays His Hand

Visits Speedwell, loses his temper, but eventually pays for information and decides to continue his own investigation.

X: The New Firm Gets Busy

Breaks into Earlswood, searches for the tracing, and escapes with it after a confrontation.

XI: Otto Schulz's Secret

Anxious about Joan Merrill's safety, Cheyne confronts Dangle and listens to his proposition, ultimately agreeing to join the gang after hearing the truth about Otto Schulz's secret.

XII: In the Enemy's Lair

Narrowly escapes assassination via a bomb in Joan's purse; reluctantly agrees to join the gang under duress to protect Joan.

XIII: Inspector French Takes Charge

Relates his entire adventure to Inspector French, expresses fear for Joan Merrill's safety, and accompanies French on raids.

XIV: The Clue of the Clay-Marked Shoe

Listens to Speedwell's revelations with indignation; later examines Joan's shoes with French.

A Tale of Two Cities

Cheyne visits French at the Yard, looking aged and anxious, seeking news about Joan Merrill.

XVIII: A Visitor from India

Cheyne meets French at Victoria, reports Arnold Price's letter from Bombay, and participates in the discussion about the cipher and the tracing being a map.

XIX: The Message of the Tracing

Participates in analyzing the tracing, reconstructs the entire plot, and insists on rescuing Joan Merrill.

XX: The Goal of the L'Escaut

Anxious about Joan Merrill's fate; joins French and Price on the bridge at dawn, thrilled by the approaching finale.