# Mr. Speedwell — The Cheyne Mystery character guide

> Mr. Speedwell in The Cheyne Mystery by Freeman Wills Crofts.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Speedwell

**First appearance:** 0008-ix-mr-speedwell-plays-his-hand

## Snapshot

A quiet, watchful visitor whose sly questions and careful exits make Cheyne uneasy long before the reader can say exactly why.

## Who they are

Speedwell calls on Cheyne after the burglary and drugging, probing gently for anything the young man might have noticed, and Cheyne can tell him nothing—yet Speedwell's sly look and his pointed reminder of his address suggest he knows more than he lets on. He is the kind of figure who seems helpful and slightly ominous at once, and his visit plants the suspicion that the criminals have eyes close to home. His presence keeps the early chapters unsettled, making the reader wonder who is asking questions and on whose behalf.

## Relationships

### [Maxwell Cheyne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cheyne_mystery_se/characters/maxwell_cheyne)

_professional_

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

### [Inspector French](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cheyne_mystery_se/characters/inspector_french)

_professional_

Inspector French and Mr. Speedwell interact professionally, likely as part of the investigation.

### [Joan Merrill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cheyne_mystery_se/characters/joan_merrill)

_friendship_

Joan Merrill and Mr. Speedwell are friends or allies, likely cooperating in the story's events.

### [Maxwell Cheyne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cheyne_mystery_se/characters/maxwell_cheyne)

_professional_

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

### [Joan Merrill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cheyne_mystery_se/characters/joan_merrill)

_friendship_

Joan Merrill and Mr. Speedwell are friends or allies, likely cooperating in the story's events.

### [Inspector French](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cheyne_mystery_se/characters/inspector_french)

_professional_

Inspector French and Mr. Speedwell interact professionally, likely as part of the investigation.

### [Inspector French](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cheyne_mystery_se/characters/inspector_french)

_professional_

Inspector French and Mr. Speedwell interact professionally, likely as part of the investigation.

### [Maxwell Cheyne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cheyne_mystery_se/characters/maxwell_cheyne)

_professional_

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

## In the story

### [III: The Launch Enid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cheyne_mystery_se/chapters/iii-the-launch-enid)

Private detective from Horton and Lavender's agency; investigates the drugging and burglary, but is pessimistic about solving the case.

### [Mr. Speedwell Plays His Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cheyne_mystery_se/chapters/ix-mr-speedwell-plays-his-hand)

Reveals his knowledge of the burglary, attempts to sell further information, and is revealed as the head of the detective agency.

### [XII: In the Enemy's Lair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cheyne_mystery_se/chapters/xii-in-the-enemy-s-lair)

Referenced by Cheyne as having given a negative account of the gang's character.

### [XIII: Inspector French Takes Charge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cheyne_mystery_se/chapters/xiii-inspector-french-takes-charge)

Reveals that his earlier story to Cheyne was a business expedient, not the truth; agrees to share his knowledge with French.

### [XIV: The Clue of the Clay-Marked Shoe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cheyne_mystery_se/chapters/xiv-the-clue-of-the-clay-marked-shoe)

Reveals his investigation into Susan Dangle and his surveillance of Cheyne's break-in at Laurel Lodge.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cheyne_mystery_se/characters/mr_speedwell
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cheyne_mystery_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cheyne_mystery_se/characters