The Door with Seven Locks · Character

Inspector Sneed

A Scotland Yard chief inspector who stands smoking his pipe with callous indifference while a house burns, then quietly makes the arrest that ends everything.

major

Also known as Sneed, Chief Inspector John Sneed of Scotland Yard, Captain Sneed, Mr. Sneed

First appearance: I

As a major figure in The Door with Seven Locks, Inspector Sneed is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Martin's lazy but superior officer at Scotland Yard; comments on Martin's retirement and assigns him a final mundane task.

In the storyIOpen this moment free

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Sneed arrives in the story as a figure of almost insulting calm, watching flames roar from barred windows while Havelock screams for the women inside. That apathy is a mask: the moment he knocks out his pipe, he becomes…

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The fuller portrait of Inspector Sneed sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Inspector Sneed in I

Character Web

12 connections

A slice of how Inspector Sneed sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Selford Estate Conspirators
Protagonist

+7 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the discovery of the key—the twin to the one locked in the ba…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Dick Martin
professional · positive
Dick Martin and Inspector Sneed are colleagues in law enforcement, collaborating on the… How this plays out →
Mr. Havelock
professional · positive
Antonio Stalletti
rivalry · negative
Dick Martin
professional · positive
Dick Martin and Inspector Sneed are colleagues in law enforcement, collaborating on the… How this plays out →
Dick Martin
professional · positive
Dick Martin and Inspector Sneed are colleagues in law enforcement, collaborating on the… How this plays out →
Antonio Stalletti
rivalry · negative
Mr. Havelock
professional · positive
Antonio Stalletti
rivalry · negative
Mr. Havelock
professional · positive

Dick Martin
Dick Martin and Inspector Sneed are colleagues in law enforcement, collaborating on the case.
Mr. Havelock
Inspector Sneed and Mr. Havelock are colleagues working together on the same case.
Antonio Stalletti
Antonio Stalletti is a criminal pursued by Inspector Sneed, creating an adversarial dynamic.
Dick Martin
Dick Martin and Inspector Sneed are colleagues in law enforcement, collaborating on the case.
Dick Martin
Dick Martin and Inspector Sneed are colleagues in law enforcement, collaborating on the case.
Antonio Stalletti
Antonio Stalletti is a criminal pursued by Inspector Sneed, creating an adversarial dynamic.
Mr. Havelock
Inspector Sneed and Mr. Havelock are colleagues working together on the same case.
Antonio Stalletti
Antonio Stalletti is a criminal pursued by Inspector Sneed, creating an adversarial dynamic.
Mr. Havelock
Inspector Sneed and Mr. Havelock are colleagues working together on the same case.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Inspector Sneed in I

In the story

Inspector Sneed appears across 18 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
IV
V
VI
XIII
XV
XVI
XX
+10 more

I
Martin's lazy but superior officer at Scotland Yard; comments on Martin's retirement and assigns him a final mundane task.
IV
Orders a search for Lew Pheeney after hearing Dick's account; takes the matter seriously.
V
Leads the investigation at Dick's flat; examines the kitchen door and service lift as possible entry points.
VI
Mentioned as the police contact from whom Dick hears nothing during his travels.
XIII
Listens to Dick's report, identifies Stalletti as the likely attacker, and orders surveillance and a raid on Gallows Cottage.
XV
Meets with Dick to discuss the investigation, reveals plans for a raid on Stalletti, and examines the key from the door with seven locks.
XVI
Leads the raid, questions Stalletti, and searches the cottage but finds nothing incriminating.
XX
Accompanies Martin to Weald House, skeptical at first, but witnesses the grim discovery.
XXI
Conducts examination of Mrs. Cody's body; investigates the murder scene with Dick; sends for police photographer and local police.
XXII
Assists in the search, climbs through the skylight, and joins the gunfight, showing surprising agility.
XXIII
Assists in the search of Mrs. Cody's box and discusses the case with Dick.
XXVI
Agrees with the plan to stay at the Manor; discusses the intruder with Havelock; suggests bringing down a dozen men to patrol the grounds.
XXVII
Investigates Stalletti's disappearance, learns of his criminal past with Cody, and coordinates with local police.
XXVIII
Arranges police protection; reveals that Cody was Lord Selford's tutor and Mrs. Cody was his nurse.
XXIX
Assists Dick in the stakeout but inadvertently interrupts the giants' conference by rattling the door.
The Arrest and the Fire
Oversees the arrest of Havelock and remains calm during the fire.
XXXI
Accompanies Dick to the tomb, examines the confession book, and oversees the aftermath.
XXXIII
Asks about Cawler's knowledge and Sybil's father's wealth, then falls asleep in the car.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Inspector Sneed unlock in the free preview.

See Inspector Sneed in I