# Mr. Benson — The Clue character guide

> Mr. Benson in The Clue by Carolyn Wells.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Benson, Surely Mr. Benson, Coroner Benson, VIII A Soft Lead Pencil Coroner Benson, But Coroner Benson

**First appearance:** 0004-v-a-case-for-the-coroner

## Snapshot

A genial coroner whose affable courtesy masks a quickly working mind, guiding the inquiry while weighing whether to suspect a woman or a friend.

## Who they are

Coroner Benson presides over the investigation with a pleasant, inscrutable demeanor that puts witnesses at ease even as he quietly assembles the facts. When suspicion shifts from Schuyler Carleton toward Cicely Dupuy, he feels genuine relief at another outlet for his suspicions, yet remains reluctant to accuse a woman without cause. His willingness to let Fleming Stone lay out the truth before the assembled company makes him the steady, pragmatic hinge on which the case's final unraveling turns.

## In the story

### [A Soft Lead Pencil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/viii-a-soft-lead-pencil)

Presides over the inquest, accepts Fessenden's evidence, and declares the case now one of murder.

### [XI: “I Decline to Say”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xi-i-decline-to-say)

Presides over the inquest, forces Cicely to rewrite the note, and declares the case a murder.

### [Miss Morton's Statements](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xvii-miss-morton-s-statements)

The coroner conducting the inquest; he questions Miss Morton and Dorothy Burt, attempting to uncover the truth.

### [XXIV: A Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/chapters/xxiv-a-confession)

The coroner who employed Fleming Stone and gives permission for the public revelation.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/characters/mr_benson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_clue_se/characters