# Polton — The Mystery of 31, New Inn character guide

> Polton in The Mystery of 31, New Inn by R. Austin Freeman.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Polton

**First appearance:** 0002-the-mystery-of-31-new-inn

## Snapshot

Thorndyke's deft laboratory assistant, whose quiet craftsmanship turns dust-heap relics and obscure clues into instruments of detection.

## Who they are

Polton works behind the scenes in Thorndyke's chambers, preparing apparatus and executing the delicate practical tasks that scientific detection demands. His value lies in precision and discretion rather than personality; he is the steady hands beneath his employer's theorizing. In a case built on minute physical evidence, his contributions quietly underwrite every discovery.

## Relationships

### [John Thorndyke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_31_new_inn_se/characters/john_thorndyke)

_professional_

Polton is Thorndyke's laboratory assistant and technician, supporting his forensic work.

### [John Thorndyke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_31_new_inn_se/characters/john_thorndyke)

_professional_

Polton is Thorndyke's laboratory assistant and technician, supporting his forensic work.

### [John Thorndyke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_31_new_inn_se/characters/john_thorndyke)

_professional_

Polton is Thorndyke's laboratory assistant and technician, supporting his forensic work.

## In the story

### [The Mystery of 31, New Inn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_31_new_inn_se/chapters/the-mystery-of-31-new-inn)

Assists Thorndyke with technical aspects of the tracking scheme.

### [Thorndyke Devises a Scheme](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_31_new_inn_se/chapters/ii-thorndyke-devises-a-scheme)

Thorndyke's assistant, brings tea and quickly constructs a compass board for the tracking scheme.

### [VII: The Cuneiform Inscription](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_31_new_inn_se/chapters/vii-the-cuneiform-inscription)

Mentioned as the source of a small tin box for storing evidence and as the one who brings the tea-tray.

### [The Track Chart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_31_new_inn_se/chapters/viii-the-track-chart)

Polton is mentioned as having prepared Jervis's bedroom and is expected to collect the lamp.

### [The Portrait](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_31_new_inn_se/chapters/xii-the-portrait)

Works steadily on enlarging and mounting the signature photographs, delivering the finished pack to Thorndyke.

### [The Statement of Samuel Wilkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_31_new_inn_se/chapters/xiii-the-statement-of-samuel-wilkins)

Disguises himself as a red-nosed, giggling stranger to demonstrate the ease of concealing identity; revealed by Thorndyke.

### [Thorndyke Lays the Mine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_31_new_inn_se/chapters/xiv-thorndyke-lays-the-mine)

Mentioned as having taken to outdoor pursuits, presumably assisting Thorndyke's investigation.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_31_new_inn_se/characters/polton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_31_new_inn_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_31_new_inn_se/characters