# Cosgrove Ponson — The Ponson Case character guide > Cosgrove Ponson in The Ponson Case by Freeman Wills Crofts. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Cosgrove, Cosgrove Ponson, Cosgrove, Mr. Cosgrove Ponson **First appearance:** 0000-i-mystery-at-luce-manor ## Snapshot Austin's well-heeled cousin, whose locked desk, rare cigarettes, and convenient alibi make him the most tantalizing thread in Tanner's investigation. ## Who they are Cosgrove keeps rooms at Number 174B in Knightsbridge, furnished with leather chairs, sporting books, and roses in silver bowls — a man plainly not hard up. Tanner gains entry under a false name and picks the roll-top desk, but finds no bankbook and no incriminating correspondence, only bills and invitations. The rare cigarette-end found in the boathouse matches the brand Cosgrove smokes, and his name on the Duchess's guest list both supports his alibi and gives Tanner something to pull apart. ## Relationships ### [Inspector Tanner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/inspector_tanner) _professional_ Cosgrove is a primary suspect, and his frequent interactions with Tanner reflect intense interrogation and scrutiny. ### [Jimmy Daunt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/jimmy_daunt) _rivalry_ Cosgrove and Jimmy are likely rivals, possibly over Lois Drew or family matters, with frequent tense interactions. ### [Austin Ponson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/austin_ponson) _family_ Austin and Cosgrove are brothers, with their interactions suggesting sibling rivalry or conflict. ### [Lois Drew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/lois_drew) _romantic_ Cosgrove is romantically interested in Lois, creating a love triangle with Jimmy Daunt. ### [Sir William Ponson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/sir_william_ponson) _family_ Cosgrove is Sir William's son, and their relationship is likely strained due to the investigation and family secrets. ### [Inspector Tanner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/inspector_tanner) _professional_ Cosgrove is a primary suspect, and his frequent interactions with Tanner reflect intense interrogation and scrutiny. ### [Inspector Tanner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/inspector_tanner) _professional_ Cosgrove is a primary suspect, and his frequent interactions with Tanner reflect intense interrogation and scrutiny. ### [Jimmy Daunt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/jimmy_daunt) _rivalry_ Cosgrove and Jimmy are likely rivals, possibly over Lois Drew or family matters, with frequent tense interactions. ### [Lois Drew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/lois_drew) _romantic_ Cosgrove is romantically interested in Lois, creating a love triangle with Jimmy Daunt. ### [Austin Ponson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/austin_ponson) _family_ Austin and Cosgrove are brothers, with their interactions suggesting sibling rivalry or conflict. ### [Lois Drew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/lois_drew) _romantic_ Cosgrove is romantically interested in Lois, creating a love triangle with Jimmy Daunt. ### [Sir William Ponson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/sir_william_ponson) _family_ Cosgrove is Sir William's son, and their relationship is likely strained due to the investigation and family secrets. ## In the story ### [A Sinister Suggestion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/ii-a-sinister-suggestion) Mentioned as the recipient of Austin's telegram; Sir William's nephew. ### [III: Hoaxed?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/iii-hoaxed) Present at the inquest, seated with Austin; appears shocked but less anxious than his cousin. ### [IV: Inspector Tanner Grows Suspicious](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/iv-inspector-tanner-grows-suspicious) Sir William's nephew; described as a waster, inherits £75,000, and is financially pinched. ### [Inspector Tanner Becomes Convinced](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/v-inspector-tanner-becomes-convinced) Cousin of Austin; Tanner suspects him of murder and framing Austin for financial gain. ### [What Cosgrove Had to Tell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/vi-what-cosgrove-had-to-tell) Provides an alibi for the night of Sir William's disappearance, claiming he missed his train to Montrose. ### [VII: Cosgrove's Trip North](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/vii-cosgrove-s-trip-north) Provides an alibi for the night of the murder, claiming he missed his train and visited Miss Belcher at the theatre. ### [Tanner Finds Himself Duped](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/viii-tanner-finds-himself-duped) Attends the inquest with legal representation, shows relief when proceedings end, but is not further implicated in this chapter. ### [IX: Lois Drew Takes a Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/ix-lois-drew-takes-a-hand) Mentioned as being consulted by Daunt and agreeing with Austin's choice of solicitor. ### [X: A Woman's Wit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/x-a-woman-s-wit) Suspected by Lois as the murderer; his alibi is under scrutiny. ### [A Fresh Start](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/xi-a-fresh-start) Cosgrove's photograph is also identified as attending the secret lunch with Sir William and Austin. ### [XIII: Blackmail?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/xiii-blackmail) His alibi is proven fake by Daunt and Lois; Tanner now suspects he was at the boathouse and may be involved in a conspiracy. ### [In the Luce Manor Boathouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/xv-in-the-luce-manor-boathouse) Present during the family meeting where the boathouse plan was devised. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/xvi-conclusion) Makes a statement similar to Austin's, is tested, and released; later marries Betty Belcher. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/cosgrove_ponson - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters