# Major Jefferson — The Layton Court Mystery character guide > Major Jefferson in The Layton Court Mystery by Anthony Berkeley. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Poor Major Jefferson, Jefferson, Major Jefferson, Inspector Mansfield, Master Jefferson **First appearance:** 0001-the-layton-court-mystery ## Snapshot A blunt ex-officer at Layton Court whose secret marriage and buried grievances make him the investigation's most uncomfortable suspect. ## Who they are Major Jefferson is the guest who helps break down the library door and then endures Roger's suspicion with grim patience. He married Lady Stanworth in secret because her brother-in-law would have destroyed the match, giving him both a powerful motive and a painful reason to conceal the truth. His refusal to pretend or flatter makes him central to the middle arc, where Roger must decide whether the most obvious suspect is really the guilty one. ## Relationships ### [Roger Sheringham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/roger_sheringham) _rivalry_ Major Jefferson is a gruff, competitive figure who frequently clashes with Roger Sheringham over authority and investigative methods. ### [Lady Stanworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/lady_stanworth) _social_ Lady Stanworth and Major Jefferson share a polite, formal acquaintance as members of the same country house party. ### [Alexander Grierson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/alexander_grierson) _rivalry_ Alexander Grierson and Major Jefferson have a tense, competitive dynamic, often disagreeing on matters of logic and honor. ### [Mrs. Plant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/mrs_plant) _social_ Major Jefferson and Mrs. Plant have a distant, utilitarian acquaintance, with Jefferson often dismissing her as a servant. ### [Doctor Matthewson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/doctor_matthewson) _professional_ Doctor Matthewson and Major Jefferson have a professional, collegial relationship, with Matthewson providing medical expertise to the investigation. ### [Roger Sheringham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/roger_sheringham) _rivalry_ Major Jefferson is a gruff, competitive figure who frequently clashes with Roger Sheringham over authority and investigative methods. ### [Lady Stanworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/lady_stanworth) _social_ Lady Stanworth and Major Jefferson share a polite, formal acquaintance as members of the same country house party. ### [Alexander Grierson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/alexander_grierson) _rivalry_ Alexander Grierson and Major Jefferson have a tense, competitive dynamic, often disagreeing on matters of logic and honor. ### [Roger Sheringham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/roger_sheringham) _rivalry_ Major Jefferson is a gruff, competitive figure who frequently clashes with Roger Sheringham over authority and investigative methods. ### [Lady Stanworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/lady_stanworth) _social_ Lady Stanworth and Major Jefferson share a polite, formal acquaintance as members of the same country house party. ### [Mrs. Plant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/mrs_plant) _social_ Major Jefferson and Mrs. Plant have a distant, utilitarian acquaintance, with Jefferson often dismissing her as a servant. ### [Doctor Matthewson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/doctor_matthewson) _professional_ Doctor Matthewson and Major Jefferson have a professional, collegial relationship, with Matthewson providing medical expertise to the investigation. ## In the story ### [The Layton Court Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/the-layton-court-mystery) A guest at the house party, later implicated in the mystery. ### [II: An Interrupted Breakfast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/ii-an-interrupted-breakfast) A guest who first notices Victor's absence; he leads the effort to break down the library door and discovers the body. ### [III: Mr. Sheringham Is Puzzled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/iii-mr-sheringham-is-puzzled) Shows nervousness, tries to move the body, and searches Stanworth's pockets; later attempts to get rid of others. ### [IV: Major Jefferson Is Reluctant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/iv-major-jefferson-is-reluctant) Reluctantly assists the inspector, shows signs of being on edge, and is questioned about the safe combination. ### [IV: Major Jefferson Is Reluctant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/iv-major-jefferson-is-reluctant) Methodical and observant, he examines the crime scene, the suicide note, and the lock, and begins interviewing the household. ### [V: Mr. Sheringham Asks a Question](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/v-mr-sheringham-asks-a-question) Interviewed by the inspector; states Stanworth seemed normal and denies any knowledge of motives for suicide; Roger suspects he is hiding something. ### [IX: Mr. Sheringham Sees Visions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/ix-mr-sheringham-sees-visions) Shows quiet satisfaction at lunch, puzzling Roger who suspects he may have tampered with the safe. ### [X: Mrs. Plant Is Apprehensive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/x-mrs-plant-is-apprehensive) Mentioned as sharing a similar emotional shift with Mrs. Plant, suggesting they are in league. ### [XI: Lady Stanworth Exchanges Glances](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xi-lady-stanworth-exchanges-glances) Calmly facilitates the safe opening, exchanges a meaningful glance with Lady Stanworth, and seems to have prior knowledge of the safe's contents. ### [XI: Lady Stanworth Exchanges Glances](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xi-lady-stanworth-exchanges-glances) Opens the safe in a routine manner, finds money and Mrs. Plant's jewels, and confirms Mrs. Plant must attend the inquest. ### [XII: Hidden Chambers and What-Nots](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xii-hidden-chambers-and-what-nots) Enters the library briefly, appears indifferent to Roger's questions about priest-holes, and leaves to go into town. ### [XIII: Mr. Sheringham Investigates a Footprint](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xiii-mr-sheringham-investigates-a-footprint) Suspected of having delayed his trip to Elchester and possibly spying on Roger and Alec from the library. ### [XVI: Mr. Sheringham Lectures on Neo-Platonism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xvi-mr-sheringham-lectures-on-neo-platonism) Mentioned as a suspect whose behavior is discussed; implied to have overheard and erased the footprints. ### [XVII: Mr. Grierson Becomes Heated](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xvii-mr-grierson-becomes-heated) Greets Roger and Alec at tea; appears unperturbed by Stanworth's death; leaves to attend to other matters. ### [XVIII: What the Settee Had to Tell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xviii-what-the-settee-had-to-tell) Mentioned as a suspect; Roger considers his possible involvement and the missing keys. ### [XIX: Mr. Sheringham Loses and Wins the Same Bet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xix-mr-sheringham-loses-and-wins-the-same-bet) Shows nerve and guardedness; exchanges a warning look with Lady Stanworth when Roger questions her. ### [XXI: Mr. Sheringham Is Dramatic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xxi-mr-sheringham-is-dramatic) Now seen by Roger as shy and honest; found working on documents in the morning room. ### [XXII: Mr. Sheringham Solves the Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xxii-mr-sheringham-solves-the-mystery) Accused by Roger of killing Stanworth in a struggle, motivated by love for Mrs. Plant and anger over blackmail; Alec insists this is out of character. ### [XXIII: Mrs. Plant Talks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xxiii-mrs-plant-talks) Testifies at the inquest; Mrs. Plant denies that he entered the library during her meeting with Stanworth. ### [XXV: The Mystery Finally Refuses to Accept Mr. Sheringham's Solution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xxv-the-mystery-finally-refuses-to-accept-mr-sheringham-s-solution) Reveals his secret marriage to Lady Stanworth and confesses to a past forgery he committed to protect a friend, which Stanworth used to blackmail him. ### [XXVI: Mr. Grierson Tries His Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xxvi-mr-grierson-tries-his-hand) Reveals his secret marriage to Lady Stanworth and explains Stanworth's blackmail hold over them and others. ### [XXVII: Mr. Sheringham Hits the Mark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/chapters/xxvii-mr-sheringham-hits-the-mark) Roger previously suspected Jefferson but now dismisses him; they part amicably. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters/major_jefferson - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_layton_court_mystery_se/characters