# Austin Ponson — The Ponson Case character guide > Austin Ponson in The Ponson Case by Freeman Wills Crofts. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Austin, Austin Ponson, Mr. Ponson, Mr. Austin Ponson, Austin **First appearance:** 0000-i-mystery-at-luce-manor ## Snapshot The literary-minded son of Sir William, whose secret birth and silent fear of losing the woman he loves make him the investigation's most anguished figure. ## Who they are Austin never shared his father's political ambitions, preferring books and research, yet he suggested the move to Luce Manor and remained on good terms with the family. A letter from Miss Drew transforms him in his cell from despair to adoration, but his refusal to confide in her sooner has already cost him dearly. His long silence about the night of the murder, kept for his mother's sake and out of distrust he now despises, makes his eventual account the pivot on which the case turns. ## Relationships ### [Inspector Tanner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/inspector_tanner) _professional_ Austin is a key suspect and later ally, interacting heavily with Tanner during the investigation. ### [Jimmy Daunt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/jimmy_daunt) _friendship_ Austin and Jimmy appear to be close friends or allies, with frequent interactions indicating mutual support. ### [Sir William Ponson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/sir_william_ponson) _family_ Austin is Sir William's son, and their interactions reflect a strained or complex father-son dynamic. ### [Lois Drew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/lois_drew) _social_ Austin and Lois are acquaintances within the same social circle, possibly with underlying romantic or friendly tension. ### [Cosgrove Ponson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/cosgrove_ponson) _family_ Austin and Cosgrove are brothers, with their interactions suggesting sibling rivalry or conflict. ### [Inspector Tanner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/inspector_tanner) _professional_ Austin is a key suspect and later ally, interacting heavily with Tanner during the investigation. ### [Jimmy Daunt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/jimmy_daunt) _friendship_ Austin and Jimmy appear to be close friends or allies, with frequent interactions indicating mutual support. ### [Sir William Ponson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/sir_william_ponson) _family_ Austin is Sir William's son, and their interactions reflect a strained or complex father-son dynamic. ### [Inspector Tanner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/inspector_tanner) _professional_ Austin is a key suspect and later ally, interacting heavily with Tanner during the investigation. ### [Lois Drew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/lois_drew) _social_ Austin and Lois are acquaintances within the same social circle, possibly with underlying romantic or friendly tension. ### [Lois Drew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/lois_drew) _social_ Austin and Lois are acquaintances within the same social circle, possibly with underlying romantic or friendly tension. ### [Cosgrove Ponson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/cosgrove_ponson) _family_ Austin and Cosgrove are brothers, with their interactions suggesting sibling rivalry or conflict. ## In the story ### [Mystery at Luce Manor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/i-mystery-at-luce-manor) Sir William's relative or associate; arrives at Luce Manor, questions the boatman, and shows nervousness at the developments. ### [A Sinister Suggestion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/ii-a-sinister-suggestion) Discovers his father's body and sends a telegram to Cosgrove Ponson. ### [III: Hoaxed?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/iii-hoaxed) Nervously recounts being hoaxed by a note and a maid on the night of Sir William's death; shows visible fear during the inquest. ### [IV: Inspector Tanner Grows Suspicious](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/iv-inspector-tanner-grows-suspicious) Sir William's son; engaged to Lois Drew against his father's wishes, inherits £150,000; his alibi is under scrutiny. ### [Inspector Tanner Becomes Convinced](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/v-inspector-tanner-becomes-convinced) Suspect in his father's murder; Tanner considers evidence against him but later believes his alibi. ### [VII: Cosgrove's Trip North](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/vii-cosgrove-s-trip-north) Mentioned as a suspect Tanner has been investigating, but the chapter focuses on Cosgrove's alibi. ### [Tanner Finds Himself Duped](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/viii-tanner-finds-himself-duped) Present at the inquest, visibly anxious; later arrested for his father's murder based on circumstantial evidence and witness testimony, though he protests his innocence. ### [IX: Lois Drew Takes a Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/ix-lois-drew-takes-a-hand) Writes to Lois breaking their engagement; is visited by Jimmy Daunt in prison and agrees to hire him as his solicitor; tells Daunt his version of events. ### [X: A Woman's Wit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/x-a-woman-s-wit) Currently arrested; Lois and Daunt work to prove his innocence. ### [A Fresh Start](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/xi-a-fresh-start) Austin is under arrest; his photograph is identified as one of the men who met Sir William at the Soho restaurant. ### [XIII: Blackmail?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/xiii-blackmail) Arrested then cleared again; Daunt discovers he lied about meeting Sir William for lunch, and he reacts with consternation to news of Douglas's arrest. ### [A Dramatic Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/xiv-a-dramatic-discovery) Revealed to be illegitimate due to his mother's bigamous marriage. ### [In the Luce Manor Boathouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/xv-in-the-luce-manor-boathouse) Despondent in his cell, then transformed by Lois's letter; confesses the boathouse plot to Daunt. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/xvi-conclusion) Makes a statement, is tested on small details, and is set free after charges are withdrawn. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/austin_ponson - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters