# Q — The Leavenworth Case character guide

> Q in The Leavenworth Case by Anna Katharine Green.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Q.

**First appearance:** 0004-iv-a-clue

## Snapshot

A correspondent who signs only with a letter, feeding the investigation anonymous leads that are either gifts or traps.

## Who they are

Q writes in a hand no one can trace and knows details that should be private, making every letter a small crisis of trust for the detectives who receive them. The correspondence arrives at precisely the moments when the case most needs a push, which raises the uncomfortable question of whether Q is a helpful citizen, a guilty party, or something stranger still. In a mystery built on sealed rooms and family secrets, Q is the voice from outside the house — and no one can decide whether to follow it or fear it.

## In the story

### [A Report Followed by Smoke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxiv-a-report-followed-by-smoke)

A detective hired by the narrator to investigate the Leavenworths' stay at the Hotel Union.

### [Mr. Gryce Explains Himself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxvi-mr-gryce-explains-himself)

Will follow the narrator to R⸺ in disguise and assist as needed, signaled by a red silk handkerchief.

### [The Missing Witness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxix-the-missing-witness)

Disguised as a tramp, delivers a note revealing Hannah's location and arranges to get Mrs. Belden out of the house.

### [XXX: Burned Paper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxx-burned-paper)

Assists the narrator, reveals he saw Hannah take a dose the night before, and searches for evidence.

### [XXXI: Q](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xxxi-q)

Discovers Hannah's body and finds Mary's letter in Mrs. Belden's pocket.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters/q
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/characters