# The Black Sailor — The Murders in Praed Street character guide

> The Black Sailor in The Murders in Praed Street by John Rhode.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** The Avenger The Black Sailor, Black Sailor

**First appearance:** 0007-vii-the-black-sailor

## Snapshot

A phantom in dark disguise who stalks Praed Street's shadows, leaving a trail of impossible murders and a city too terrified to look away.

## Who they are

The Black Sailor is the shape the killer wears when moving through Praed Street's crowds and back alleys — a scarred, bearded figure whose appearances are as deliberate as they are theatrical. Behind the disguise sits a methodical mind that studies victims' habits, engineers access through a key to a rear garden door, and treats each death as an experiment in misdirection. What unsettles the early investigation is not just the violence but the patience: the Sailor is always already gone, and the police can only chase a costume.

## Relationships

### [Dr. Morlandson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/characters/dr_morlandson)

_professional_

Dr. Morlandson examines the Black Sailor, possibly as a medical or forensic subject.

### [Dr. Morlandson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/characters/dr_morlandson)

_professional_

Dr. Morlandson examines the Black Sailor, possibly as a medical or forensic subject.

### [Dr. Morlandson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/characters/dr_morlandson)

_professional_

Dr. Morlandson examines the Black Sailor, possibly as a medical or forensic subject.

## In the story

### [V: Inspector Whyland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/v-inspector-whyland)

Described by Wal Snyder as a big tall man with a black beard, a scar, and a woollen cap; his existence is doubted by Ludgrove and Whyland.

### [XVII: The Clay-Pit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xvii-the-clay-pit)

Appears suddenly on a bicycle behind Dr. Priestley; described with a black beard, seaman's cap, and a scar on his right cheek; addresses Dr. Priestley by name.

### [XVIII: The Avenger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xviii-the-avenger)

Reveals himself as the avenger acting for Dr. Morlandson; explains the motive behind the murders and warns Priestley.

### [Mr. Ludgrove's Invitation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xx-mr-ludgrove-s-invitation)

Appears suddenly in Ludgrove's shop, startling Priestley.

### [XXI: An Explanation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xxi-an-explanation)

The antagonist who reveals his identity and methods, explaining his role as the executor of Dr. Morlandson's vengeance.

### [XXII: The Death Chamber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xxii-the-death-chamber)

Reveals his full plan, including the use of a crossbow-like device to deliver a numbered counter to Copperdock's bed and a potassium bullet with a hypodermic needle to kill him. He intends to die alongside Dr. Priestley in a gas-filled room.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/characters/the_black_sailor
- 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