Polly Burton

Lady Donaldson

Lady Donaldson and Polly Burton interact as acquaintances within the social circles of the stories.

Richard Frobisher

Polly Burton and Richard Frobisher are engaged or romantically involved, with Richard being a supportive partner.

David Graham

David Graham and Polly Burton are acquaintances who meet through social or investigative circumstances.

Lady Donaldson

Lady Donaldson and Polly Burton interact as acquaintances within the social circles of the stories.

Richard Frobisher

Polly Burton and Richard Frobisher are engaged or romantically involved, with Richard being a supportive partner.

Richard Frobisher

Polly Burton and Richard Frobisher are engaged or romantically involved, with Richard being a supportive partner.

David Graham

David Graham and Polly Burton are acquaintances who meet through social or investigative circumstances.

Lady Donaldson

Lady Donaldson and Polly Burton interact as acquaintances within the social circles of the stories.

The Old Man in the Corner

The journalist who meets the old man and listens to his explanations of unsolved mysteries.

I: The Fenchurch Street Mystery

A journalist for the Evening Observer, she is initially skeptical of the Old Man in the Corner but becomes fascinated by his account of the Fenchurch Street mystery.

II: A Millionaire in the Dock

Eagerly listens to the Old Man's account of the Smethurst case.

III: His Deduction

Listens to the Old Man's deduction, expressing disbelief and bewilderment.

IV: The Robbery in Phillimore Terrace

Returns to the A.B.C. shop and listens to the Old Man in the Corner's account of the Phillimore Terrace robbery.

A Night’s Adventure

Listener to the Old Man's story; noted for her look at the bit of string.

VI: All He Knew

Listens to the Old Man's explanation and interjects with questions about Mr. Knopf.

VII: The York Mystery

Listener to the Old Man's story, shown photographs of Lady Arthur Skelmerton.

VIII: The Capital Charge

Listener to the Old Man's narrative.

IX: A Brokenhearted Woman

Listens to the Old Man's reasoning and expresses bewilderment, but ultimately feels thankful the case remained a mystery.

X: The Mysterious Death on the Underground Railway

The listener to the Old Man in the Corner's narrative; she is addressed directly as 'Polly' and is the audience for the recounting of the case.

XI: Mr. Errington

The listener to the Old Man's explanation, who misses her appointment with Mr. Richard Frobisher.

XII: The Liverpool Mystery

Listener to the Old Man's story; engages in discussion about foreign swindlers.

A Cunning Rascal

Listens to the Old Man's account and questions his conclusions.

XIV: The Edinburgh Mystery

The journalist listening to the Old Man's account; she expresses skepticism and sympathy for the accused.

XVII: Undeniable Facts

Engages in debate with the Old Man, initially convinced of Edith Crawford's guilt but challenged by his reasoning.

XVIII: The Theft at the English Provident Bank

Listens to the Old Man's account and offers him a piece of string to aid his storytelling.

An Alibi

Listener to the old man's explanation of the bank theft case.

XXI: The Dublin Mystery

Listens to the Old Man's account and engages with his insights on the case.

XXIII: A Memorable Day

The listener, who engages in discussion about the case and the axiom of seeking whom the crime benefits.

The Prisoner

The listener to whom the Old Man recounts the story.

XXVII: Two Blackguards

Polly listens to the Old Man's analysis of the case, initially skeptical but eventually convinced by his reasoning.

XXVIII: The Regent's Park Murder

Listener to the Old Man's account of the Regent's Park murder.

The Motive

Listener to the Old Man's story; her reactions are implied by his sarcastic smiles.

XXX: Friends

Engages with the Old Man's theory about the Regent's Park murder, showing her own acumen but ultimately being convinced by his explanation.

The de Genneville Peerage

Listens to the Old Man's account and offers a comment on the technical knowledge required for peerage cases.

XXXIII: The Living and the Dead

Polly listens to the Old Man's explanation and is left puzzled and doubtful.

The Mysterious Death in Percy Street

Visits the A.B.C. shop with the fixed purpose of hearing the old man's views on Mrs. Owen's death; she is annoyed by his evasiveness and tries to nettle his vanity.

XXXV: Suicide or Murder?

Polly listens to the old man's explanation of the case and asks questions about the nephew.

XXXVI: The End

Has a sudden flash of insight connecting the Old Man's string-tying habit to the murder scene.