# Mr. Samuel Copperdock — The Murders in Praed Street character guide > Mr. Samuel Copperdock in The Murders in Praed Street by John Rhode. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Copperdock, Sam Copperdock, Sam, Copperdock, Samuel Copperdock **First appearance:** 0001-i-the-street ## Snapshot The genial Praed Street shopkeeper who shepherds the bereaved, trades gossip with inspectors, and quietly suspects the Express Train gang of everything. ## Who they are Copperdock keeps the shop where keys are left and news is exchanged, escorting Mrs. Tovey and Ivy home from the inquest and pressing Ludgrove for details of the latest killing. He clings to a suspicion that Wal Snyder and the Express Train gang are behind the murders, a theory that colors how he reads every new development. His warm, talkative presence anchors the neighborhood's social life even as the crimes close in around it. ## In the story ### [Part I: The Crimes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/part-i-the-crimes) Reports the black sailor and later dies. ### [The Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/i-the-street) Old Sam Copperdock, Mr. Tovey's oldest friend and Ted's father, mentioned as a neighbour and friend. ### [II: The Herbalist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/ii-the-herbalist) The tobacconist, a friend of Ludgrove, who eagerly shares news about the murder of James Tovey and the police investigation. ### [III: The Inquest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/iii-the-inquest) Attends the inquest, escorts Mrs. Tovey and Ivy home, and discusses the case with Mr. Ludgrove. He harbors suspicion about Wal Snyder and the Express Train gang. ### [IV: The Poisoned Pipe-Stem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/iv-the-poisoned-pipe-stem) Visits Ludgrove late at night, distressed about Ben Colburn's death and the discovery of numbered counters sent to both Tovey and Colburn. ### [V: Inspector Whyland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/v-inspector-whyland) Visits Ludgrove after Whyland leaves, anxious about police suspicion. Ludgrove reassures him, and he gradually returns to his normal routine, including visits to Mrs. Tovey. ### [VI: A Middle-Aged Poet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/vi-a-middle-aged-poet) Informs Ludgrove of the murder and relays Inspector Whyland's message; expresses concern about the safety of the neighborhood. ### [VII: The Black Sailor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/vii-the-black-sailor) Claims to have seen the black sailor; is excited and agitated; becomes a suspect in Whyland's mind due to his knowledge of the crimes. ### [At No. 407, Praed Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/viii-at-no-407-praed-street) Mentioned as still running his shop in Praed Street; Martin briefly considers visiting him but decides against it to avoid being recognized. ### [IX: A Strange Affair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/ix-a-strange-affair) Mentioned as having known Martin and being evasive about his whereabouts; Whyland suspects him. ### [X: At Scotland Yard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/x-at-scotland-yard) Visits Ludgrove to discuss the Goodwin death, complains about police suspicion, and then returns in terror after receiving counter VI. ### [XI: The Sixth Counter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xi-the-sixth-counter) Finds the sixth counter on his bed, becomes hysterical, and refuses to stay alone. Later, he is interviewed by Inspector Whyland and resumes his routine under police watch. ### [XII: A Hypodermic Needle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xii-a-hypodermic-needle) Found dead in his room, killed by a hypodermic injection of poison; the needle broke off in his back. ### [Part II: The Criminal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/part-ii-the-criminal) A key figure in the investigation, Copperdock's actions and findings are central to the narrative. ### [XIII: Enter Dr. Priestley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xiii-enter-dr-priestley) The deceased whose death by poison is under investigation; his mind was reportedly unhinged. ### [XIX: A Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xix-a-discovery) Recently deceased; a knife similar to those used in earlier murders is found in his possession. ### [XXI: An Explanation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xxi-an-explanation) Described as a simple and not over-intelligent dupe upon whom suspicion was cast; his bone counters and envelopes were used in the murders. ### [XXII: The Death Chamber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xxii-the-death-chamber) Mentioned as the victim of the Black Sailor's scheme; the numbered counter found on his bed was delivered by a miniature crossbow, and he was killed by a potassium bullet fired from an airgun. ### [XXIII: The Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xxiii-the-will) Mentioned as a witness to the will and as a victim of the Black Sailor's machinations. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/characters/mr_samuel_copperdock - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/characters