Colonel J. Black

Sir Isaac Tramber

Colonel Black and Sir Isaac Tramber are colleagues in a high-stakes investigation or legal matter, with frequent interactions suggesting close collaboration.

Frank Fellowe

Colonel Black works closely with Frank Fellowe, likely as a subordinate or partner in police or detective work.

May Sandford

Colonel Black and May Sandford share a romantic connection, with frequent interactions suggesting courtship or deep affection.

Manfred

Colonel Black and Manfred are adversaries, likely engaged in a cat-and-mouse chase or ideological conflict.

The Girl

Colonel Black and The Girl have a protective or allied friendship, with frequent interactions indicating mutual trust.

Willie Jakobs

Colonel Black and Willie Jakobs interact frequently in a professional capacity, possibly as informant or assistant.

Horace Gresham

Colonel Black and Horace Gresham are professional associates, likely working together on a case or mission.

Sergeant Gurden

Colonel Black and Sergeant Gurden have a superior-subordinate relationship within a police or military context.

Dr. Essley

Colonel Black and Dr. Essley interact professionally, possibly as a doctor providing medical or forensic assistance.

Augustus Fanks

Augustus Fanks and Colonel Black have a professional relationship, likely as a colleague or associate in an investigation.

Constable Fellowe

Colonel Black and Constable Fellowe have a superior-subordinate relationship within law enforcement.

Ikey Tramber

Colonel Black and Ikey Tramber interact professionally, possibly as a younger relative or assistant of Sir Isaac.

Colonel Black, Financier

Portrayed as a shrewd financier with a dubious reputation; he bribes Sergeant Gurden and seeks to monitor Constable Fellowe's activities.

III: An Adventure in Pimlico

Presides over the board meeting, confronts Frank on the street, and invites him inside.

IV: The Men Who Sat in Judgment

Attempts to bribe Frank Fellowe, traps him in a dark room, and is confronted by the Four Just Men.

The Earl of Verlond

Amused and annoyed by the Four Just Men's intrusion; discusses financial straits with Tramber and pressures him about his prospects.

The Policeman and a Lady

Mentioned as the target of Frank's surveillance; recommended a doctor for May.

VII: Dr. Essley Meets Man

The financier who is using Essley to break Sandford, though he does not appear directly in the chapter.

VIII: Colonel Black Has Shock

Anxious and desperate after Sandford's refusal; visited by a detective about Essley; hides evidence and plans escape.

Lord Verlond Gives Dinner

Invited to dinner by Lord Verlond but does not attend; earlier meets Verlond at Sandford's.

X: A Policeman’s Business

Black is the benefactor of Jakobs, paying him for silence about the dead man. He is confronted by Frank Fellowe and later finds his flat searched, with the seal of the Four Just Men left behind, unsettling him.

The Race

Urges Sir Isaac to run off the dead heat, dismissing concerns from a journalist and reassuring him of victory.

XIII: Who Are the Four?

Reveals his discovery of the Four Just Men's identities and orchestrates a secret meeting with a bribed servant.

XIV: Willie Jakobs Tells

Discovers Jakobs' thumbprint, pursues him with a stiletto, and attempts to cajole him into returning the stolen bottle.

XV: Sir Isaac's Fears

Threatens Sir Isaac Tramber to prevent him from leaving their partnership; visits May Sandford to discourage her from testifying about Jakobs; feels a net drawing around him.

XVI: Colonel Black Meets a Just Man

Attempts to poison May Sandford, flees after the attempt fails, and is later confronted by de la Monte.

XVII: Justice

Captured and interrogated by the Four Just Men; shoots Sir Isaac Tramber and escapes; later arrested by Constable Fellowe and hanged.