John F.-X. Markham

Characters of the Book

District Attorney of New York County.

The Greene Murder Case

District Attorney leading the case.

I: A Double Tragedy

District Attorney; reluctantly allows Vance to stay for Chester Greene's interview.

The Investigation Opens

The District Attorney who agrees to investigate the Greene case after Chester's appeal, despite initial skepticism about the burglar theory.

At the Greene Mansion

Leads the investigation, questions Chester and Mrs. Greene, and orchestrates the reenactment.

IV: The Missing Revolver

Remains largely passive and skeptical of Vance's methods, preferring to focus on Ada Greene as the key witness.

V: Homicidal Possibilities

Markham is present and initially resents Sibella's flippant attitude, reproving her for not taking the murders seriously. He eventually defers to Vance's approach.

VI: An Accusation

Present as the district attorney, observing the interview.

Vance Argues the Case

Resists Vance's psychological interpretation, preferring to rely on standard police procedures and evidence, though visibly unsettled by Vance's intensity.

VIII: The Second Tragedy

Markham brings news of Chester's murder to Vance, admitting Vance's premonitions were correct. He is worried and relies on Vance's help.

IX: The Three Bullets

Leads the interviews with Mrs. Greene and Sibella, attempting to maintain order.

X: The Closing of a Door

Impatient with Vance's historical inquiries, preferring to focus on recent events; conducts servant interviews with frustration.

A Painful Interview

Conducts the painful interview with Mrs. Greene and later questions Rex, showing impatience and duty-bound resolve.

XIII: The Third Tragedy

Hosts the conference at the Stuyvesant Club, agrees to investigate the Greene wills, and later receives Ada Greene in his office.

XIV: Footprints on the Carpet

Leads the investigation, persuades Ada to accompany them, and questions Sproot and Von Blon.

The Lost Poisons

Listens to Vance's theory, expresses horror at the idea that the murderer is a household member, and receives Von Blon's report about the stolen poisons.

Two Wills

Leads the conference, presents copies of Tobias Greene's wills, and relates the theft of poisons from Von Blon; considers court action to alter the will's provisions.

XVIII: In the Locked Library

Reluctantly agrees to Vance's plan, bluffs Mrs. Greene with a fake search warrant, and obtains the key to the library.

XIX: Sherry and Paralysis

Present during Ada's revelation and the conversation with Von Blon; expresses perplexity about Mrs. Greene's condition.

XX: The Fourth Tragedy

Markham informs Vance of Ada's poisoning, arrives at the Greene mansion, and leads the investigation into the attempted murder.

XXI: A Depleted Household

Brings news of Mrs. Greene's death; leads the investigation and questions Drumm and Ada.

XXII: The Shadowy Figure

Defends Heath against O'Brien's criticism, explains the official story given to the press, and participates in the conference.

XXIII: The Missing Fact

Impatient with Vance's artistic digression but ultimately listens; present during the revelation of the secret marriage.

A Mysterious Trip

Visits Vance for breakfast; listens to Vance's revelations and philosophical critique of society; arranges to retrieve books from the Greene library.

XXV: The Capture

Waits for Vance in his office, accompanies him to the Greene house and the chase.

XXVI: The Astounding Truth

Listens to Vance's explanation, expressing impatience and skepticism about the motives.

Endnotes

Mentioned as the recipient of Vance's rearranged sequence of items.