Alexander Grierson

Roger Sheringham

Alexander Grierson and Roger Sheringham are close friends and intellectual companions, often engaging in lively discussions and collaborative detective work.

Lady Stanworth

Alexander Grierson and Lady Stanworth are cordial acquaintances, interacting primarily as fellow guests at Layton Court.

Major Jefferson

Alexander Grierson and Major Jefferson have a tense, competitive dynamic, often disagreeing on matters of logic and honor.

Mrs. Plant

Alexander Grierson and Mrs. Plant share a friendly, cooperative rapport, with Mrs. Plant often assisting him with household details.

Barbara Shannon

Alexander Grierson and Barbara Shannon are friendly and respectful companions, often discussing the case together.

John Prince

Alexander Grierson and John Prince are amiable acquaintances, often found in each other's company during social gatherings.

Roger Sheringham

Alexander Grierson and Roger Sheringham are close friends and intellectual companions, often engaging in lively discussions and collaborative detective work.

Roger Sheringham

Alexander Grierson and Roger Sheringham are close friends and intellectual companions, often engaging in lively discussions and collaborative detective work.

Lady Stanworth

Alexander Grierson and Lady Stanworth are cordial acquaintances, interacting primarily as fellow guests at Layton Court.

Major Jefferson

Alexander Grierson and Major Jefferson have a tense, competitive dynamic, often disagreeing on matters of logic and honor.

Mrs. Plant

Alexander Grierson and Mrs. Plant share a friendly, cooperative rapport, with Mrs. Plant often assisting him with household details.

John Prince

Alexander Grierson and John Prince are amiable acquaintances, often found in each other's company during social gatherings.

The Layton Court Mystery

Roger's friend and fellow guest, present at the house party.

I: Eight O’Clock in the Morning

A large, broad-shouldered young man, newly engaged to Barbara Shannon; he is up early and has been to the village to post a letter.

II: An Interrupted Breakfast

A young man of means and an Oxford cricket player, invited to Layton Court due to his connection with Barbara; appears troubled at breakfast and is called to witness the library incident.

III: Mr. Sheringham Is Puzzled

Accompanies Roger; is shocked by the sight of the body but recovers.

IV: Major Jefferson Is Reluctant

Accompanies Roger throughout the investigation, expressing confusion about the events.

V: Mr. Sheringham Asks a Question

Accompanies Roger and discusses the inconsistencies in Jefferson's behavior and the case.

VI: Four People Behave Remarkably

Alec listens to Roger's theories, admits to noticing Lady Stanworth's lack of grief, and internally conceals his own suspicious actions from the previous night.

VII: The Vase That Wasn’t

Assists Roger and later meets Barbara in the garden, seeking clarity about her earlier distress.

Mr. Sheringham Becomes Startling

Alec is skeptical of Roger's murder theory, pointing out the locked room and the suicide note, but he is gradually impressed by Roger's reasoning.

IX: Mr. Sheringham Sees Visions

Acts as a skeptical foil to Roger, calling himself a 'brake' to Roger's exuberance, and is shown the crumpled paper evidence.

X: Mrs. Plant Is Apprehensive

Alec challenges Roger's theory about the bullet and defends Mrs. Plant's character, reluctantly accompanying Roger to speak with her.

XI: Lady Stanworth Exchanges Glances

Accompanies Roger, expresses skepticism about Roger's theories, and is relieved when Mrs. Plant's jewels are found.

XII: Hidden Chambers and What-Nots

Assists Roger in examining the library, tapping panels and considering the secret door theory, but remains skeptical about the murder.

XIII: Mr. Sheringham Investigates a Footprint

Initially skeptical but becomes enthusiastic after seeing the footprint evidence; assists Roger in observing the chauffeur and the car.

XIV: Dirty Work at the Ash Pit

Assists Roger in the search, helps decipher the note, and accompanies him to question the lodge keeper's wife.

XV: Mr. Sheringham Amuses an Ancient Rustic

Accompanies Roger to Hillcrest Farm and the inn, expressing admiration for Roger's conversational skills.

XVI: Mr. Sheringham Lectures on Neo-Platonism

Accompanies Roger, argues against the burglar theory, and witnesses the erased footprints.

XVII: Mr. Grierson Becomes Heated

Defends Mrs. Plant against Roger's questioning, accusing Roger of bullying; accompanies Roger in the garden and witnesses the discovery of the vase fragments.

XVIII: What the Settee Had to Tell

Assists in the search; reveals that his engagement to Barbara has been broken off.

XIX: Mr. Sheringham Loses and Wins the Same Bet

Reluctantly assists Roger, expresses discomfort with the investigation, and is present during the confrontation with Mrs. Plant.

XX: Mrs. Plant Proves Disappointing

Accompanies Roger; initially skeptical of Roger's suspicions but eventually agrees to help examine Stanworth's papers.

XXI: Mr. Sheringham Is Dramatic

Reluctantly assists Roger in the investigation; helps examine Stanworth's papers.

XXII: Mr. Sheringham Solves the Mystery

Skeptical of Roger's theory, relying on intuition about Jefferson's character; advises Roger to drop the investigation to avoid a moral burden.

XXIII: Mrs. Plant Talks

Accompanies Roger to the inquest but declines to be present during the interview with Mrs. Plant, expressing disgust at the situation.

XXIV: Mr. Sheringham Is Disconcerted

Skeptical of Roger's murder theory, he adopts an 'I told you so' attitude before Roger finds new evidence.

XXVI: Mr. Grierson Tries His Hand

Suggests the murderer is an unknown blackmail victim; discusses the case with Roger.

XXVII: Mr. Sheringham Hits the Mark

Alec listens to Roger's deductions and is ultimately accused of the murder.

XXVIII: What Really Did Happen

Confesses to killing Stanworth in self-defense after Stanworth blackmailed Barbara Shannon and fired at him.