Brian Fitzgerald

Madge Frettlby

Brian and Madge are deeply in love, with Brian courting Madge despite the shadow of Oliver Whyte's murder.

Mark Frettlby

Mark Frettlby is Madge's father and Brian's prospective father-in-law, with a tense but respectful relationship.

Oliver Whyte

Brian and Oliver are bitter rivals, as Oliver had previously pursued Madge and was found murdered in a hansom cab.

Sal Rawlins

Brian knows Sal Rawlins as a marginal figure in the underworld, connected to the events surrounding Oliver Whyte's death.

Mrs. Hableton

Mrs. Hableton is a landlady or acquaintance who provides testimony relevant to Brian's alibi.

Roger Moreland

Brian and Roger are friends, though Roger's involvement with Oliver Whyte complicates their bond.

Madge Frettlby

Brian and Madge are deeply in love, with Brian courting Madge despite the shadow of Oliver Whyte's murder.

Madge Frettlby

Brian and Madge are deeply in love, with Brian courting Madge despite the shadow of Oliver Whyte's murder.

Oliver Whyte

Brian and Oliver are bitter rivals, as Oliver had previously pursued Madge and was found murdered in a hansom cab.

Mark Frettlby

Mark Frettlby is Madge's father and Brian's prospective father-in-law, with a tense but respectful relationship.

Mrs. Hableton

Mrs. Hableton is a landlady or acquaintance who provides testimony relevant to Brian's alibi.

Roger Moreland

Brian and Roger are friends, though Roger's involvement with Oliver Whyte complicates their bond.

VI: Mr. Gorby Makes Further Discoveries

Madge's fiancé; suspected by Gorby of murdering Whyte due to their rivalry.

VII: The Wool King

Madge's fiancé, an Irish immigrant who has become wealthy under Frettlby's guidance; he is visibly disturbed by the news of Whyte's murder and remains moody during the dinner.

Brian Takes a Walk and a Drive

Brian is anxious about being suspected of Whyte's murder, takes a circuitous cab ride and walk, and visits Madge at the Frettlby mansion, unaware he is being followed by Gorby.

Mr. Gorby Is Satisfied at Last

Suffers from guilt and anxiety over Whyte's murder; has a nightmare; reads about the police clue; arranges tea with Madge and Mark Frettlby.

X: In the Queen's Name

Arrested for the murder of Oliver Whyte; maintains his innocence and professes his love to Madge.

XI: Counsel for the Prisoner

Arrested for murder; refuses to reveal his alibi to protect a secret.

She Was a True Woman

Imprisoned and refusing to speak or prove an alibi, though he is innocent.

Madge Makes a Discovery

The letter found in his lodgings is key to his alibi.

XIV: Another Richmond in the Field

Fitzgerald is the accused who refuses to reveal his whereabouts, having visited a dying woman who sent for him.

A Woman of the People

Mentioned by Kilsip as having been in the area on the night of the murder, providing an alibi.

Missing

Imprisoned, admits to being at Mother Guttersnipe's on the murder night but refuses to reveal the dying woman's secret, fearing it would hurt Madge.

XVII: The Trial

The prisoner on trial for murder; appears pale and worn, feels degraded by being in the dock.

Sal Rawlins Tells All She Knows

Hears of his impending acquittal but remains haunted by the secret the dying woman revealed to him.

The Verdict of the Jury

The prisoner, acquitted after Sal Rawlins' testimony proves his alibi.

The Argus Gives Its Opinion

Acquitted of murder; praised for his courage and dignity during the trial.

Three Months Afterwards

Moody and irritable, with white hairs; works hard at his station, avoids society, and keeps aloof from Mark Frettlby.

XXII: A Daughter of Eve

In riding dress, looks handsome but ill and worried; pleads with Madge to trust him and not pursue the secret; proposes immediate marriage and departure from Australia; reacts with surprise to the yacht's name 'Rosanna'.

Across the Walnuts and the Wine

Attends Frettlby's dinner party in riding dress, sits next to Madge, and later walks with her in the moonlight. He is intrigued by the mention of Rosanna Moore.

XXIV: Brian Receives a Letter

Rides home from Yabba Yallook, reads Calton's letter, and agonizes over whether to reveal the secret about Rosanna Moore.

What Dr. Chinston Said

Visits Madge to announce his departure, concealing his true motives; exchanges tense glances with Mark Frettlby, both thinking of Rosanna Moore.

XXVI: Kilsip Has a Theory of His Own

Writes a letter to Calton promising to reveal a secret about Rosanna Moore.

Mark Frettlby Has a Visitor

Isolates himself due to shame from the trial; reluctantly agrees to dine with Madge and her father; recognizes Roger Moreland leaving the house.

XXIX: Mr. Calton’s Curiosity Is Satisfied

Tormented by the secret of Mark Frettlby's guilt; reveals the truth about Rosanna Moore's marriage to Calton.

Nemesis

Mentioned as having recognized Roger Moreland when he visited Frettlby.

XXXI: Hush-Money

Arrives at St. Kilda with Calton, is devastated by Madge's illness, and agrees to keep the secret of the marriage certificate and Frettlby's confession.

XXXII: De Mortuis Nil Nisi Bonum

Present at the reading of the confession; confirms the accusation against Frettlby.

XXXIII: The Confession

The man wrongly accused of murder, to whom the confession is addressed.

The Hands of Justice

Present during the trap and arrest; insists on Moreland's arrest despite the scandal it will cause Madge.

The Love That Lives

Marries Madge and leaves Australia with her, relieved that Moreland's suicide and the burning of the confession spare them further scandal.

List of Illustrations

Addressee of the letter