# Meggie Oliphant — The Crime at Black Dudley character guide > Meggie Oliphant in The Crime at Black Dudley by Margery Allingham. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Meggie, Oliphant, Margaret Oliphant, Miss Oliphant **First appearance:** 0002-i-candlelight ## Snapshot The intelligent, striking young woman whose presence at Black Dudley drew Abbershaw there and unsettles his careful, methodical heart. ## Who they are Margaret Oliphant is the reason Abbershaw accepted Wyatt's invitation, a woman with a fine profile and a mind to match, not empty prettiness. She moves through the weekend party with composure, and Abbershaw's secret, systematic campaign to know her better runs quietly beneath the gathering's surface. Her presence gives the mystery a human stake, reminding the reader that the guests at Black Dudley have private hopes tangled up in the public danger. ## Relationships ### [Albert Campion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/albert_campion) _friendship_ Campion is a friendly and protective presence toward Meggie, offering support without romantic entanglement. ### [Albert Campion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/albert_campion) _friendship_ Campion is a friendly and protective presence toward Meggie, offering support without romantic entanglement. ### [Albert Campion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/albert_campion) _friendship_ Campion is a friendly and protective presence toward Meggie, offering support without romantic entanglement. ## In the story ### [The Crime at Black Dudley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/the-crime-at-black-dudley) A young woman at the party who becomes a key figure in the unfolding drama. ### [Candlelight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/i-candlelight) A modern young woman with copper-colored hair, seated next to Abbershaw at dinner, who teases him about his practicality. ### [In the Garage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/iii-in-the-garage) Terrified after being handed the blood-stained dagger during the game; confides in Abbershaw and shows him the bloodied handkerchief. ### [VI: Mr. Campion Brings the House Down](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/vi-mr-campion-brings-the-house-down) Appears in the corridor in her dressing-gown; Abbershaw asks her to arrange a meeting with Anne Edgeware. ### [Five O'Clock in the Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/vii-five-o-clock-in-the-morning) Meets Abbershaw in the garden; learns of Coombe's death; confirms Campion was not invited by the Colonel; witnesses the body's removal. ### [IX: Chris Kennedy Scores a Try Only](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/ix-chris-kennedy-scores-a-try-only) Trembling and scared after seeing the mask replaced, she expresses relief at Abbershaw's presence. ### [X: The Impetuous Mr. Abbershaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/x-the-impetuous-mr-abbershaw) Found crying by Abbershaw; accepts his marriage proposal, feeling both happy and scared. ### [XII: “Furthermore…" Said Mr. Campion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xii-furthermore-said-mr-campion) Identified by Campion as the next person Dawlish plans to interrogate, causing Abbershaw's alarm. ### [XIII: Abbershaw Sees Red](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xiii-abbershaw-sees-red) Kidnapped by Dawlish; heard crying and screaming during interrogation, prompting Abbershaw's rescue attempt. ### [XIV: Abbershaw Gets His Interview](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xiv-abbershaw-gets-his-interview) Present as a captive, shows spirit despite her fear. ### [Doctor Abbershaw's Deductions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xv-doctor-abbershaw-s-deductions) Kidnapped and questioned; shows courage and falls asleep in Abbershaw's arms. ### [XVI: The Militant Mrs. Meade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xvi-the-militant-mrs-meade) Awakens with Abbershaw, helps coax Mrs. Meade's story, and shares the terrifying realization about the murderer. ### [XVII: In the Evening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xvii-in-the-evening) Held captive alongside Abbershaw, she shows practicality and courage, suggesting they might escape through Mrs. Meade's room. ### [Mr. Kennedy's Council](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xviii-mr-kennedy-s-council) Agrees to break the glass as the signal; reunited with the group after rescue. ### [XIX: Mr. Campion’s Conjuring Trick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xix-mr-campion-s-conjuring-trick) Receives a small revolver from Abbershaw and reassures him before being locked in a room with Jeanne and Anne. ### [XX: The Roundup](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xx-the-roundup) Waiting in the kitchen with the other women, comforting Jeanne Dacre, and part of the escape group. ### [XXII: The Darkest Hour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xxii-the-darkest-hour) Shows resilience and concern for others, attempting to soothe Jeanne Dacre; expresses disbelief that such atrocities can happen in a civilized world. ### [XXIII: An Error in Taste](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xxiii-an-error-in-taste) Nervously asks about the rescue, present in the locked room with the others. ### [The Last of Black Dudley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xxiv-the-last-of-black-dudley) Arrives with Jeanne to ask about moving Prenderby, and offers to drive him to London. ### [Mr. Watt Explains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xxv-mr-watt-explains) Present at the consultation; engaged to Abbershaw and participates in the discussion, pointing out the unresolved issue of the bloody dagger. ### [XXVI: Cherchez la Femme](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xxvi-cherchez-la-femme) Left behind at Abbershaw's insistence for her safety, though she accepts his decision without argument. ### [XXIX: The Last Chapter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/chapters/xxix-the-last-chapter) Mentioned as Abbershaw's fiancée, with their wedding preparations occupying the six weeks since the Black Dudley affair. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters/meggie_oliphant - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_crime_at_black_dudley_se/characters