Roger Sheringham

Alexander Grierson

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

Major Jefferson

Major Jefferson is a gruff, competitive figure who frequently clashes with Roger Sheringham over authority and investigative methods.

Mrs. Plant

Mrs. Plant is a friendly, gossipy housekeeper who shares information and banter with Roger Sheringham, aiding his inquiries.

Lady Stanworth

Lady Stanworth is a dignified, somewhat aloof hostess who interacts with Roger Sheringham as a guest and fellow socialite.

Barbara Shannon

Barbara Shannon and Roger Sheringham share a flirtatious, romantic tension, with Barbara often teasing and challenging him.

John Prince

John Prince is a young, earnest friend of Roger Sheringham, often acting as a sounding board for his theories.

Graves

Graves, the butler, serves Roger Sheringham and the other guests with formal, efficient professionalism.

Mary Plant

Mary Plant, Mrs. Plant's daughter, is a shy maid who interacts briefly with Roger Sheringham while performing her duties.

Alexander Grierson

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

Major Jefferson

Major Jefferson is a gruff, competitive figure who frequently clashes with Roger Sheringham over authority and investigative methods.

Lady Stanworth

Lady Stanworth is a dignified, somewhat aloof hostess who interacts with Roger Sheringham as a guest and fellow socialite.

Mrs. Plant

Mrs. Plant is a friendly, gossipy housekeeper who shares information and banter with Roger Sheringham, aiding his inquiries.

Dedication

Mentioned as the gentleman who solves the mystery, designed to be realistic and fallible.

The Layton Court Mystery

Introduced as a guest at Layton Court, an amateur detective figure.

I: Eight O’Clock in the Morning

Introduced as a dynamic, observant author with an exuberant energy; he teases William and Alec, and is studying the garden at eight in the morning.

II: An Interrupted Breakfast

A close friend of Alec's, invited to Layton Court; noted for his bohemian manner and use of nonsense to ease tension; present at the breakfast and summoned to witness the library door being broken down.

III: Mr. Sheringham Is Puzzled

Observes Jefferson's suspicious actions and catches Mrs. Plant at the safe; becomes increasingly puzzled.

IV: Major Jefferson Is Reluctant

Observes the police investigation, makes suggestions about the typed note and burnt paper, and reflects on the inspector's competence.

V: Mr. Sheringham Asks a Question

Questioned by Inspector Mansfield about his last conversation with Stanworth; later expresses suspicion about the wound location and decides to investigate the library.

VI: Four People Behave Remarkably

Roger analyzes the suicide scene, noting the unnatural angle of the wound and questioning the behavior of the household members.

VII: The Vase That Wasn’t

Leads the investigation in the library, noticing the missing vase and dust marks.

Mr. Sheringham Becomes Startling

Roger develops his murder theory, deducing that Stanworth was killed and that the scene was staged. He decides to investigate on his own without involving the police.

IX: Mr. Sheringham Sees Visions

Develops a detailed murder theory, deduces the confession is fake, and observes the other guests' behavior with suspicion.

X: Mrs. Plant Is Apprehensive

Roger confidently discusses his murder theory with Alec, noting Mrs. Plant's changed behavior and suspecting her involvement with the murderer.

XI: Lady Stanworth Exchanges Glances

Observes the safe opening and the reactions of others, suspicious of Lady Stanworth and Jefferson's silent communication.

XII: Hidden Chambers and What-Nots

Leads the investigation into the library's secret exit, tests Jefferson's reaction, and ultimately discovers the method of escape.

XIII: Mr. Sheringham Investigates a Footprint

Discovers the footprint and demonstrates how the window was locked from outside; devises a plan to investigate the mysterious stranger and the ash pit.

XIV: Dirty Work at the Ash Pit

Leads the search of the ash pit, discovers the incriminating note, and interprets it as proof that Prince is the murderer.

XV: Mr. Sheringham Amuses an Ancient Rustic

Leads the investigation, theorizes about Prince's involvement, and skillfully extracts information from the landlord.

XVI: Mr. Sheringham Lectures on Neo-Platonism

Lectures Alec on neo-Platonism, questions William about a stranger, and discovers the footprints have been smoothed out.

XVII: Mr. Grierson Becomes Heated

Probes Mrs. Plant about Lady Stanworth's dislike of Victor Stanworth; later discovers broken vase pieces in the garden, linking them to the crime.

XVIII: What the Settee Had to Tell

Discovers the handkerchief, powder, and hair in the settee; theorizes about the murder and the significance of the clues.

XIX: Mr. Sheringham Loses and Wins the Same Bet

Investigates the presence of a woman in the library after dinner, uses a trick about a lost pen to question the maid, and confronts Mrs. Plant with the handkerchief.

XX: Mrs. Plant Proves Disappointing

Confronts Mrs. Plant about her handkerchief and her false statement; deduces she was crying in the library; proposes investigating Stanworth's private papers.

XXI: Mr. Sheringham Is Dramatic

Reassesses Jefferson's character and develops a new theory about the murder involving Mrs. Plant; later investigates Stanworth's financial records.

XXII: Mr. Sheringham Solves the Mystery

Presents his deduction that Jefferson killed Stanworth, showing complacent triumph but also willingness to withhold the truth from police depending on circumstances.

XXIII: Mrs. Plant Talks

Confronts Mrs. Plant after the inquest, using his deductions to pressure her into confessing the blackmail meeting.

XXIV: Mr. Sheringham Is Disconcerted

Disconcerted by the suicide letter, but quickly recovers and reopens the investigation after spotting inconsistencies.

XXV: The Mystery Finally Refuses to Accept Mr. Sheringham's Solution

Confronts Major Jefferson, pressing him about his whereabouts and the blackmail, and learns of the secret marriage and the forgery story.

XXVI: Mr. Grierson Tries His Hand

Interviews Major Jefferson and learns of his secret marriage; becomes convinced of Jefferson's innocence.

XXVII: Mr. Sheringham Hits the Mark

Roger reveals his solution to the murder, explaining his reasoning and confronting Alec.

XXVIII: What Really Did Happen

Listens to Alec's confession and reveals how he deduced the truth from the hair clue and other observations.