# Mr. O'Brien — The Man from the Clouds character guide

> Mr. O'Brien in The Man from the Clouds by J. Storer Clouston.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** O'Brien

**First appearance:** 0008-ix-an-ally

## Snapshot

A former patient of Dr. Rendall whose unpleasing personality and hold over the doctor leave a trail of suspicion behind him.

## Who they are

O'Brien has already left the doctor's house by the time Thomas Sylvester arrives, yet his shadow lingers: Dr. Rendall's obvious dislike of the man, and the suggestion that he was oppressed by him, sit oddly beside the doctor's eagerness for resident patients. Sylvester theorises that O'Brien may have dragged Rendall unwillingly into something treasonable, then finds the theory collapsing because the treason plainly continues without him. Whether O'Brien is cause, decoy, or red herring, his memory keeps the investigation unsettled.

## In the story

### [V: The Doctor's House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_from_the_clouds_se/chapters/v-the-doctor-s-house)

A boisterous and ill-natured resident of the doctor's house, who provides information about the island's few households.

### [VI: A Petticoat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_from_the_clouds_se/chapters/vi-a-petticoat)

Mentioned as the host of the suspicious house the narrator just left.

### [VIII: Sunday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_from_the_clouds_se/chapters/viii-sunday)

Absent from church; visiting Dr. Rendall, adding to narrator's suspicion.

### [X: The Coast Patrol](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_from_the_clouds_se/chapters/x-the-coast-patrol)

Mentioned as patrolling the north end with Dr. Rendall.

### [On the Drifter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_from_the_clouds_se/chapters/xiii-on-the-drifter)

Whiteclett intends to investigate him further, though no evidence is found.

### [XIV: My Cousin's Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_from_the_clouds_se/chapters/xiv-my-cousin-s-letter)

Identified by the detective as the likely shooter and is subsequently removed from the island by authorities.

### [III: The Alcoholic Patient](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_from_the_clouds_se/chapters/iii-the-alcoholic-patient)

Mentioned as the doctor's previous patient, whom the doctor disliked. His name is brought up during conversation, and the doctor's reaction hints at past tension.

### [The Test](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_from_the_clouds_se/chapters/iv-the-test)

Mentioned in the doctor's story as a contradictory guest who disputed every point about the mysterious stranger, including his accent and the nature of his landing.

### [The Confidant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_from_the_clouds_se/chapters/xii-the-confidant)

Discussed as a suspect; Jean doubts he is the traitor despite his claim to speak German.

### [XIV: The Pocket Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_from_the_clouds_se/chapters/xiv-the-pocket-book)

Mentioned in Bolton's notes as a suspect or confederate.

### [XV: Part of the Truth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_from_the_clouds_se/chapters/xv-part-of-the-truth)

Mentioned as the blackmailer who exploited Dr. Rendall's weakness for liquor.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_from_the_clouds_se/characters/mr_obrien
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_from_the_clouds_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_man_from_the_clouds_se/characters