# Inspector Tanner — The Ponson Case character guide > Inspector Tanner in The Ponson Case by Freeman Wills Crofts. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Tanner, Mr. Tanner, IV Inspector Tanner, V Inspector Tanner Becomes Convinced, VIII Tanner **First appearance:** 0000-i-mystery-at-luce-manor ## Snapshot A Scotland Yard inspector whose schoolboy tobacco contacts and patient legwork turn a country-house murder into a methodical hunt for the truth. ## Who they are Tanner moves between Luce Manor's green lawns and London's stifling streets, testing alibis and gathering photographs, guest lists, and cigarette ash with equal care. He keeps up a tiresome friendship purely for the information it yields, and the rare cigarette-end in the boathouse rekindles his doubts about Cosgrove just when a plausible story had lulled them. His willingness to impersonate a reporter or a caller named Willoughby shows how far he will go to confirm what instinct already suspects. ## Relationships ### [Austin Ponson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/austin_ponson) _professional_ Austin is a key suspect and later ally, interacting heavily with Tanner during the investigation. ### [Cosgrove Ponson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/cosgrove_ponson) _professional_ Cosgrove is a primary suspect, and his frequent interactions with Tanner reflect intense interrogation and scrutiny. ### [Sir William Ponson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/sir_william_ponson) _professional_ Tanner investigates Sir William as the patriarch of the family, often seeking his cooperation or questioning his motives. ### [Lois Drew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/lois_drew) _professional_ Tanner interviews Lois as a witness and potential suspect, probing her connection to the Ponson family. ### [William Douglas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/william_douglas) _professional_ Tanner interacts with William Douglas as part of the investigation, likely as a witness or person of interest. ### [Jimmy Daunt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/jimmy_daunt) _professional_ Tanner questions Jimmy Daunt as a suspect, with frequent interactions suggesting intense interrogation. ### [Tom Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/tom_dale) _professional_ Tanner works with Tom Dale as a colleague or subordinate in the investigation. ### [Sergeant Longwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/sergeant_longwell) _professional_ Tanner and Longwell are police colleagues, with Longwell assisting Tanner in the investigation. ### [Sir William Ponson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/sir_william_ponson) _professional_ Tanner investigates Sir William as the patriarch of the family, often seeking his cooperation or questioning his motives. ### [Cosgrove Ponson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/cosgrove_ponson) _professional_ Cosgrove is a primary suspect, and his frequent interactions with Tanner reflect intense interrogation and scrutiny. ### [Austin Ponson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/austin_ponson) _professional_ Austin is a key suspect and later ally, interacting heavily with Tanner during the investigation. ### [Tom Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/tom_dale) _professional_ Tanner works with Tom Dale as a colleague or subordinate in the investigation. ## In the story ### [A Sinister Suggestion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/ii-a-sinister-suggestion) Assigned to the case; decides to keep the murder evidence secret. ### [III: Hoaxed?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/iii-hoaxed) Conducts the interview with Austin, searches the riverbanks, and observes Austin's fear at the inquest. ### [IV: Inspector Tanner Grows Suspicious](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/iv-inspector-tanner-grows-suspicious) Leads the investigation; interviews family and servants, examines Sir William's papers, discovers mysterious 'X' cheques, and plans to test Austin's alibi. ### [Inspector Tanner Becomes Convinced](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/v-inspector-tanner-becomes-convinced) Reviews the case, becomes convinced of Austin's innocence, interviews Lois Drew, and decides to investigate Cosgrove Ponson. ### [What Cosgrove Had to Tell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/vi-what-cosgrove-had-to-tell) Travels to London, searches Cosgrove's rooms, follows Cosgrove, and confronts him at the Huntingdon Club. ### [VII: Cosgrove's Trip North](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/vii-cosgrove-s-trip-north) Investigates Cosgrove's alibi, interviews the butler and Miss Belcher, and consults a tobacconist about cigarette ends. ### [Tanner Finds Himself Duped](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/viii-tanner-finds-himself-duped) Leads the investigation, attends the inquest, follows up on Sir William's London visits, interviews Lucy Penrose and Herbert Potts, and ultimately arrests Austin Ponson before beginning to doubt the case. ### [IX: Lois Drew Takes a Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/ix-lois-drew-takes-a-hand) Receives Lois's letter; is asked by Jimmy Daunt to keep Lois's name out of the case; agrees not to make the engagement public unless necessary. ### [X: A Woman's Wit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/x-a-woman-s-wit) Shares details of Cosgrove's alibi with Daunt in confidence, believing it to be conclusive. ### [A Fresh Start](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/xi-a-fresh-start) Tanner leads the investigation, retracing Sir William's steps and uncovering the secret meeting and the mysterious Douglas. ### [A Stern Chase](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/xii-a-stern-chase) Travels to Yelverton to arrest William Douglas, is tricked by Douglas's escape, discovers incriminating boots, organizes a police search, and eventually arrests Douglas in Lisbon. ### [XIII: Blackmail?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/xiii-blackmail) Returns to Scotland Yard, meets with Daunt, learns Cosgrove's alibi is fake, recounts his Portuguese expedition and arrest of William Douglas, and theorizes about a conspiracy or blackmail. ### [A Dramatic Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/xiv-a-dramatic-discovery) Leads the investigation, interviews Mr. Clayton, and orchestrates the confrontation that reveals Tom Dale's identity. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/chapters/xvi-conclusion) Doubts Austin's statement but is convinced after searching examination of details. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters/inspector_tanner - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ponson_case_se/characters