# Ralph Paton — The Murder of Roger Ackroyd character guide > Ralph Paton in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Captain Ralph Paton, Captain Paton, Paton, young Paton, Poor Ralph **First appearance:** 0003-ii-who-s-who-in-king-s-abbot ## Snapshot Roger Ackroyd's charming, debt-ridden stepson and heir, whose disappearance the night of the murder makes him the obvious suspect. ## Who they are Ralph is the kind of man money runs through, and his secret marriage to Ursula Bourne gives him both a motive and a reason to hide. When he vanishes rather than face the police, the circumstantial case against him hardens into near certainty. His absence shapes the entire investigation, forcing Poirot to reconstruct a night Ralph alone can explain. ## Relationships ### [Hercule Poirot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/hercule_poirot) _professional_ Poirot investigates Ralph Paton as the prime suspect, tracking him down and interrogating him. ### [Flora Ackroyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/flora_ackroyd) _romantic_ Flora was previously engaged to Ralph Paton, but the engagement is broken off amid the murder investigation. ### [Roger Ackroyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/roger_ackroyd) _family_ Ralph Paton is Roger Ackroyd's stepson and a primary beneficiary of his will, though their relationship was strained. ### [Hercule Poirot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/hercule_poirot) _professional_ Poirot investigates Ralph Paton as the prime suspect, tracking him down and interrogating him. ### [Flora Ackroyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/flora_ackroyd) _romantic_ Flora was previously engaged to Ralph Paton, but the engagement is broken off amid the murder investigation. ### [Roger Ackroyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/roger_ackroyd) _family_ Ralph Paton is Roger Ackroyd's stepson and a primary beneficiary of his will, though their relationship was strained. ### [Roger Ackroyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/roger_ackroyd) _family_ Ralph Paton is Roger Ackroyd's stepson and a primary beneficiary of his will, though their relationship was strained. ### [Hercule Poirot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/hercule_poirot) _professional_ Poirot investigates Ralph Paton as the prime suspect, tracking him down and interrogating him. ## In the story ### [Who’s Who in King’s Abbot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/chapters/ii-who-s-who-in-king-s-abbot) Ackroyd’s stepson; seen by Sheppard walking with Mrs. Ferrars the day before her death, though Ackroyd claims he is in London. ### [The Man Who Grew Vegetable Marrows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/chapters/iii-the-man-who-grew-vegetable-marrows) Staying at the Three Boars; meets a girl secretly; admits to Dr. Sheppard he is in serious trouble with his stepfather. ### [I Learn My Neighbour's Profession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/chapters/vii-i-learn-my-neighbour-s-profession) Mentioned as missing; Flora insists on his innocence, but his disappearance raises suspicion. ### [XI: Poirot Pays a Call](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/chapters/xi-poirot-pays-a-call) Discussed as the prime suspect; Caroline believes the truth will clear him, but Sheppard fears incrimination. ### [XII: Round the Table](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/chapters/xii-round-the-table) Absent; his disappearance is a central focus of the discussion. ### [XIII: The Goose Quill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/chapters/xiii-the-goose-quill) Discussed as a suspect; Poirot notes three separate motives against him but leans toward his innocence. ### [An Evening at Mah Jong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/chapters/xvi-an-evening-at-mah-jong) Speculated to be staying away to draw suspicion from Flora; the ring's inscription 'From R.' suggests a possible secret marriage. ### [XXII: Ursula’s Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/chapters/xxii-ursula-s-story) Discussed as Ursula's secret husband; his weakness, debts, and agreement to marry Flora are detailed, and his whereabouts remain unknown. ### [Ralph Paton’s Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/chapters/xxiv-ralph-paton-s-story) Returns and stands with his wife Ursula, gives his account of the night, and states he has no alibi. ### [XXV: The Whole Truth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/chapters/xxv-the-whole-truth) Initially suspected, but Poirot clears him by analyzing the telephone call and footprints. ### [And Nothing but the Truth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/chapters/xxvi-and-nothing-but-the-truth) Cleared of suspicion by Poirot's revelation. ### [XXVII: Apologia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/chapters/xxvii-apologia) Mentioned as being seen with Mrs. Ferrars, but Sheppard's initial suspicion was mistaken. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/ralph_paton - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters