Mrs. Bunting

Daisy

Daisy is Mrs. Bunting's stepdaughter, and they share a close but sometimes strained domestic relationship.

Joe Chandler

Joe Chandler is a police officer who frequently consults with Mrs. Bunting about the lodger case.

Mr. Sleuth

Mr. Sleuth is Mrs. Bunting's mysterious lodger, and she becomes increasingly obsessed with uncovering his secrets.

Sir John Burney

Sir John Burney is a police official who collaborates with Mrs. Bunting regarding the Avenger murders.

Mr. Bunting

Mr. Bunting is Mrs. Bunting's husband, and they have a quiet, somewhat distant marriage.

The Avenger

Mrs. Bunting is haunted by the fear and mystery surrounding the Avenger, the serial killer her lodger may be.

Mr. Hopkins

Mr. Hopkins is a police inspector who works with Mrs. Bunting in the investigation.

Aunt Margaret

Aunt Margaret is Mrs. Bunting's sister-in-law, and they have a cordial but not deeply intimate relationship.

Joe Chandler

Joe Chandler is a police officer who frequently consults with Mrs. Bunting about the lodger case.

Daisy

Daisy is Mrs. Bunting's stepdaughter, and they share a close but sometimes strained domestic relationship.

Mr. Sleuth

Mr. Sleuth is Mrs. Bunting's mysterious lodger, and she becomes increasingly obsessed with uncovering his secrets.

Joe Chandler

Joe Chandler is a police officer who frequently consults with Mrs. Bunting about the lodger case.

The Lodger

The landlady who, along with her husband, decides to take in a lodger to alleviate their financial distress.

I

Sits in a straight-backed chair, dressed neatly but plainly; she is anxious, hopeless, and regrets spending fourpence-ha'penny on tobacco for her husband.

The Arrival of the Lodger

Nervous and cautious, she opens the door to the stranger and shows him the rooms, feeling both hope and unease.

Chapter III

Manages the lodger's unusual demands and recalls a past experience to normalize his behavior.

IV

Feels happier and relieved due to the lodger's arrival; goes out to buy Mr. Sleuth's necessities; listens to talk of the Avenger murders; becomes curious about the missing bag.

V

Finds comfort in the routine of waiting on Mr. Sleuth; becomes aware of his night wanderings; shows keen interest in the Avenger murders; reacts with relief when Chandler's news is not about Bunting.

Chapter VI

Experiences anxiety and denial about the lodger; feels irritated with Bunting's idleness; secretly checks the newspaper for news of the Avenger murders; feels relief when no new clues are reported.

VII

Experiences hysterics upon hearing of the latest Avenger murders, then forces herself to recover to attend to the lodger.

Chapter X

Searches the lodger's room, discovers the hidden bag, and spills red ink; later acts distracted and silent during the evening.

Chapter XI

Opens the door cautiously, feels her house is a citadel to defend; resents the newspaper theories, especially the West End gentleman theory; hears Mr. Sleuth moving overhead and thinks of his supper.

XII

Insists Daisy must go to Aunt Margaret's; later feels self-loathing for hoping the Avenger has struck again.

Chapter XIII

Tormented by suspicion and loyalty, she presses her forehead against the hall mirror, moaning in distress, and later tries to physically block Mr. Sleuth from going out.

XIV

Feels sharp envy and resentment toward Bunting's ease, listens furtively to the lodger's movements, and is unnerved by Mr. Sleuth's unexpected visit to the kitchen.

XV

Attempts to stay awake to spy on the lodger, fails, and is haunted by the smell and the news of the latest Avenger murder.

Chapter XVI

Experiences intense fear, guilt, and spiritual oppression; bolts the kitchen door; overhears Mr. Sleuth's Bible reading; accepts the half-sovereign with dread.

XVII

Rises early, cleans obsessively, reads the newspaper intently about the Avenger murders, and decides to attend the inquest under the pretext of seeing a doctor.

XVIII

Attends the inquest, recalling a past inquest from her time as Ellen Green; lies to her husband about going to the doctor.

XIX

Attends the inquest as a spectator, feeling fear and remorse as she listens to the evidence.

Chapter XX

Returns from the inquest exhausted and haunted; lies to Bunting about the doctor; feels pity and horror toward Mr. Sleuth; listens for his night wanderings.

XXI

Awakened by Bunting's secret hand-washing; lies awake with him all night, suspicious and tense.

XXII

Learns about the new Avenger murder and the clue involving a gentleman at a pub; becomes increasingly anxious and secretive.

XXIII

Attends to the lodger, rebukes Daisy and Joe for laughing at Bible-reading, and remains oblivious that Bunting shares her secret.

Chapter XXIV

Mrs. Bunting is protective of Daisy, delaying their shopping and giving a 'peculiar, disagreeable look' when Daisy wants to stay behind. She is skeptical of Chandler's invitation to tea.

XXV

Ellen is deeply anxious and preoccupied, silently complicit in the household's tension. She reluctantly agrees to accompany Daisy and the lodger to Madame Tussaud's.

XXVI

Accompanies Daisy and Mr. Sleuth to Madame Tussaud's; becomes terrified when Sir John Burney describes the escaped lunatic, realizing Mr. Sleuth's identity; is accused by Mr. Sleuth of betrayal.

XXVII

Reveals to Bunting that the lodger is a lunatic; sits up all night waiting for him; later tells Chandler the lodger has disappeared; stops listening for his return.