Mr. Kara

T. X. Meredith

Mr. Kara and T. X. Meredith are locked in a tense adversarial struggle, with Kara as the master criminal and Meredith as the detective determined to stop him.

John Lexman

John Lexman is a victim and adversary of Mr. Kara, who manipulates and threatens Lexman's life and family.

Grace Lexman

Grace Lexman is a target of Mr. Kara's schemes, creating a hostile and fearful dynamic between them.

Fred Fisher

Fred Fisher and Mr. Kara have a professional connection, likely as servant or employee to the criminal mastermind.

The Greek

Mr. Kara and The Greek are criminal associates, working together in illicit schemes.

T. X. Meredith

Mr. Kara and T. X. Meredith are locked in a tense adversarial struggle, with Kara as the master criminal and Meredith as the detective determined to stop him.

T. X. Meredith

Mr. Kara and T. X. Meredith are locked in a tense adversarial struggle, with Kara as the master criminal and Meredith as the detective determined to stop him.

John Lexman

John Lexman is a victim and adversary of Mr. Kara, who manipulates and threatens Lexman's life and family.

Fred Fisher

Fred Fisher and Mr. Kara have a professional connection, likely as servant or employee to the criminal mastermind.

John Lexman

John Lexman is a victim and adversary of Mr. Kara, who manipulates and threatens Lexman's life and family.

Grace Lexman

Grace Lexman is a target of Mr. Kara's schemes, creating a hostile and fearful dynamic between them.

The Greek

Mr. Kara and The Greek are criminal associates, working together in illicit schemes.

I

Dinner guest; admires Lexman's novels but claims he can solve them early; advises Lexman to use a revolver against Vassalaro; reveals past romantic interest in Grace.

II

Wealthy Greek who has taken a house in Cadogan Square; lives in a fortified room, fears assassination, and has requested a private police phone connection.

III

Mentioned as the man who introduced Lexman to Vassalaro and who once proposed to Grace; his warning to Lexman is recalled.

IV

Visits T. X. under the pretense of seeing Mrs. Lexman, but is confronted about his lies and involvement.

V

Attempted to have T. X. fired but accepted an apology; now maintains a friendly relationship with T. X., hosting him at Hever Court.

The Escape from Dartmoor

Orchestrates Lexman's escape from Dartmoor, piloting a monoplane to a waiting yacht and revealing that Grace Lexman is waiting for him.

The Escape

Suspected of visiting Vassalaro's landlord and is out of town; implicated in the plot.

Chapter VIII

Hosts T. X., attempts to bluff about the safe, and is revealed to carry a vitriol projector.

Chapter IX

Gives instructions to Fisher about Gathercole, leaves the house, and later catches Miss Holland at his safe.

The Cellar Prison

Confronts Miss Holland, kisses her forcibly, and locks her in the wine cellar.

Chapter XI

T. X. visits him regarding the snuffbox theft; Kara jokes about the situation.

XII

Lies in bed reminiscing about a past assassination attempt in Durazzo; receives his agent Gathercole and instructs Fisher to leave for the night.

The Return of John Lexman

Kara is found murdered in his bedroom, lying half on and half off the bed with a bloodstained wound above his heart.

The Cellar Discovery

Found dead in his bedroom, murdered by strangulation and stabbing; his belongings are examined.

XVI

Mentioned as having been murdered; Belinda Mary expresses fear of him and recalls being imprisoned in his cellar.

The Clue of the Twisted Candle

Referenced as the murder victim; the Turk calls him 'the Black Roman' and 'the Greek.'

The Narrative of John Lexman

Revealed as the mastermind behind Lexman's framing and the psychological torment of both Lexman and Grace.

XXII

Kara is absent during Salvolio's abuse but is later confronted and killed by Lexman.