# Polton — The D’Arblay Mystery character guide

> Polton in The D’Arblay Mystery by R. Austin Freeman.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Polton

**First appearance:** 0000-i-the-pool-in-the-wood

## Snapshot

Thorndyke's resourceful assistant, equally at home grilling cutlets in a cupel furnace and producing an arsenal of pistols on request.

## Who they are

Polton is the quiet engine of Thorndyke's chambers, reminding his absorbed employer to eat and materializing whatever the case requires, from supper to a handbag of revolvers. His methods are unconventional, his loyalty absolute, and his benevolent crinkle a small human warmth in a story of fog and murder. When Thorndyke needs to guard Marion D'Arblay without alerting the police, it is Polton's versatility he calls upon.

## Relationships

### [Dr. Thorndyke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_d_arblay_mystery_se/characters/dr_thorndyke)

_professional_

Polton is Dr. Thorndyke's loyal laboratory assistant and factotum, aiding in forensic work.

### [Marion D'Arblay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_d_arblay_mystery_se/characters/marion_d_arblay)

_social_

Marion D'Arblay interacts with Polton as a helpful intermediary in her dealings with Dr. Thorndyke.

### [Dr. Thorndyke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_d_arblay_mystery_se/characters/dr_thorndyke)

_professional_

Polton is Dr. Thorndyke's loyal laboratory assistant and factotum, aiding in forensic work.

### [Marion D'Arblay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_d_arblay_mystery_se/characters/marion_d_arblay)

_social_

Marion D'Arblay interacts with Polton as a helpful intermediary in her dealings with Dr. Thorndyke.

### [Marion D'Arblay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_d_arblay_mystery_se/characters/marion_d_arblay)

_social_

Marion D'Arblay interacts with Polton as a helpful intermediary in her dealings with Dr. Thorndyke.

### [Dr. Thorndyke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_d_arblay_mystery_se/characters/dr_thorndyke)

_professional_

Polton is Dr. Thorndyke's loyal laboratory assistant and factotum, aiding in forensic work.

## In the story

### [A Conference with Dr. Thorndyke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_d_arblay_mystery_se/chapters/ii-a-conference-with-dr-thorndyke)

Thorndyke's assistant; serves tea and is described as small, clerical-looking, and deft.

### [XI: Arms and the Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_d_arblay_mystery_se/chapters/xi-arms-and-the-man)

Volunteers to assist Marion at the studio and learn sculpting techniques.

### [A Dramatic Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_d_arblay_mystery_se/chapters/xii-a-dramatic-discovery)

Arrives to assist with the plaster work; works efficiently under Marion's direction.

### [A Narrow Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_d_arblay_mystery_se/chapters/xiii-a-narrow-escape)

Assists in guarding Marion; arranges half-day shifts with Gray.

### [The Haunted Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_d_arblay_mystery_se/chapters/xiv-the-haunted-man)

Delivers Thorndyke's message about the CID visit and gives Stephen a rear-view device.

### [Thorndyke Proposes a New Move](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_d_arblay_mystery_se/chapters/xv-thorndyke-proposes-a-new-move)

Briefly mentioned as having explained the day's programme to Gray.

### [A Chapter of Surprises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_d_arblay_mystery_se/chapters/xvii-a-chapter-of-surprises)

Stage manager of the identification; creates the waxwork figure and escorts the ladies to refreshments.

### [Thorndyke Disentangles the Threads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_d_arblay_mystery_se/chapters/xix-thorndyke-disentangles-the-threads)

Mentions that Thorndyke has finished his arrears of work and has the afternoon free.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_d_arblay_mystery_se/characters/polton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_d_arblay_mystery_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_d_arblay_mystery_se/characters