Frank Spargo

Ronald Breton

Frank and Ronald are close friends and allies, working together to solve the murder mystery.

John Marbury

John Marbury is a senior journalist and Frank's editor or mentor at the newspaper.

Septimus Elphick

Septimus Elphick is a solicitor involved in the case, and Frank interacts with him professionally.

Jane Baylis

Jane Baylis is a friend and confidante to Frank, often providing information or support.

Benjamin Quarterpage

Benjamin Quarterpage is a lawyer or legal figure who works with Frank on aspects of the case.

John Maitland

John Maitland is a key witness or suspect, and Frank interviews him as part of the investigation.

Jessie Aylmore

Jessie Aylmore is a young woman with whom Frank shares romantic interest and tension.

Nicholas Cardlestone

Nicholas Cardlestone is a witness or person of interest whom Frank questions.

Mother Gutch

Mother Gutch is a landlady or informant who provides Frank with local knowledge.

Stephen Chamberlayne

Stephen Chamberlayne is a figure connected to the murder, and Frank investigates him.

James Criedir

James Criedir is a minor witness or associate Frank interviews during the investigation.

Ronald Breton

Frank and Ronald are close friends and allies, working together to solve the murder mystery.

I: The Scrap of Grey Paper

A sub-editor for the Watchman who discovers the murder scene and decides to follow the case.

His First Brief

Accompanies Rathbury to Breton's chambers and the mortuary; begins to take a personal interest in the case.

III: The Clue of the Cap

Spargo wanders the Law Courts, meets Ronald Breton and the Aylmore sisters, and later learns from Rathbury that the victim's cap was traced to the Anglo-Orient Hotel.

IV: The Anglo-Orient Hotel

Accompanies Rathbury and Breton to the Anglo-Orient Hotel as a newspaper man investigating the case.

V: Spargo Wishes to Specialize

Determined to specialize in the murder case, focusing on the scrap of paper and the victim's connection to Breton.

VI: Witness to a Meeting

Spargo is at his office, having written a new-style account of the murder. He is determined to find the murderer and interviews the witness Webster.

Mr. Aylmore

Investigates the case, confirms Aylmore as Marbury's companion, visits the Anglo-Orient Hotel, and interviews Aylmore.

The Man from the Safe Deposit

Shares his discovery of Stephen Aylmore as Marbury's companion and the details of Aylmore's account.

IX: The Dealer in Rare Stamps

Investigates the Marbury case, interviews Myerst and Criedir, and publishes a headline about the six-hour gap in Marbury's movements.

X: The Leather Box

Investigates the leather box deposit and discusses the case with Breton; attends the opening of the box.

Mr. Aylmore Is Questioned

Observes the inquest proceedings, tabulating evidence and focusing on Aylmore's testimony.

XII: The New Witness

Spargo observes the proceedings keenly, noting the reactions of Aylmore's daughters and Ronald Breton.

XIII: Under Suspicion

Observes the proceedings closely and is later approached by Jessie Aylmore as the court adjourns.

XIV: The Silver Ticket

Meets Jessie Aylmore for tea, reassures her about his reporting, then examines the leather box with Rathbury and discovers the silver ticket.

Market Milcaster

Visits the Octoneumenoi club to consult Crowfoot about the silver ticket; later travels to Market Milcaster.

XVI: The “Yellow Dragon”

Arrives in Market Milcaster, changes clothes, and plans his investigation of the silver ticket. He observes the town's quietness and later joins the bar-parlour gathering to show the ticket to the old-timers.

Mr. Quarterpage Harks Back

Shows the silver ticket to the old gentlemen and learns its significance from Mr. Quarterpage.

XVIII: An Old Newspaper

Reads the old newspaper report of Maitland's trial, noting key points.

XIX: The Chamberlayne Story

Visits Mr. Quarterpage to investigate the Maitland case and the silver ticket.

XX: Maitland Alias Marbury

Investigates in Market Milcaster, interviews Mr. Quarterpage, and pieces together the connection between Marbury and Maitland.

Arrested

Receives telegrams confirming Marbury's identity as Maitland and Aylmore's arrest; visits photographer Cooper; returns to London and discusses the case with Rathbury.

XXII: The Blank Past

Investigates Marbury's identity and presses Aylmore to reveal his past.

XXIII: Miss Baylis

Visits Miss Baylis in Bayswater to question her about John Maitland; learns of her intense hatred for Maitland and the fate of Maitland's son.

XXIV: Mother Gutch

Spargo questions Miss Baylis and later meets Mother Gutch, who offers to sell a secret about Jane Baylis.

Revelations

Takes Mother Gutch to the Watchman office and arranges a deal for her secret.

XXVI: Still Silent

Leads the investigation, connects Breton to Elphick and the Maitland case, and arranges to meet Elphick.

XXVII: Mr. Elphick's Chambers

Investigates Elphick, observes Miss Baylis, and confronts Elphick with the truth about Maitland and Breton.

XXVIII: Of Proved Identity

Confronts Miss Baylis and Elphick with the secret of Ronald Breton's parentage; promises not to print or tell Ronald until morning; sends a reassuring telegram to Aylmore's daughters.

XXIX: The Closed Doors

Arrives for an appointment with Elphick, finds him gone, and deduces his flight is due to their previous conversation.

XXX: Revelation

Reveals the truth about Breton's parentage and the flight of Elphick and Cardlestone; finds the rare stamps in Cardlestone's room.

XXXI: The Penitent Window-Cleaner

Places a reward notice for the walking-stick, interviews Mollison, and prepares to go to Market Milcaster for the grave opening.

XXXII: The Contents of the Coffin

Leads the exhumation and discovers the coffin empty; deduces Chamberlayne is alive and the real culprit; decides to pursue Elphick and Cardlestone.

XXXIII: Forestalled

Endures a grueling night hike across the fells, determined to reach Elphick and Cardlestone before the mysterious stranger.

The Whip Hand

Accompanies Breton to the cottage, searches Myerst, and helps secure him.

Myerst Explains

Observes the old men's distress, advises Breton to wait, and later listens to Myerst's explanation.

The Final Telegram

Receives Myerst's confession, deduces Jane Baylis's guilt, sends arrest telegram, and later clears Stephen Aylmore.