# Colonel Domlio — The Sea Mystery character guide

> Colonel Domlio in The Sea Mystery by Freeman Wills Crofts.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Domlio, Colonel

**First appearance:** 0006-vii-dartmoor

## Snapshot

A sardonic retired colonel on Dartmoor whose well, his car, and his denials all become the focus of French's most uncomfortable afternoon.

## Who they are

Domlio protests the waste of his time as French drains his well, then watches the dripping bundle of Pyke's clothes come up with what looks like genuine amazement. His sardonic calm breaks when French lays out the theory that he drove into Ashburton that night to collect and dispose of the dead man's things, and his earlier lie about not going out returns to haunt him. He is the case's most visible suspect in the middle act, a man whose composure and whose contradictions both demand explanation.

## Relationships

### [Mrs. Berlyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_mystery_se/characters/mrs_berlyn)

_social_

Colonel Domlio and Mrs. Berlyn have a formal, possibly strained social acquaintance.

### [Sergeant Daw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_mystery_se/characters/sergeant_daw)

_professional_

Colonel Domlio and Sergeant Daw cooperate as local law enforcement and military contacts.

### [Sergeant Daw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_mystery_se/characters/sergeant_daw)

_professional_

Colonel Domlio and Sergeant Daw cooperate as local law enforcement and military contacts.

### [Mrs. Berlyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_mystery_se/characters/mrs_berlyn)

_social_

Colonel Domlio and Mrs. Berlyn have a formal, possibly strained social acquaintance.

### [Sergeant Daw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_mystery_se/characters/sergeant_daw)

_professional_

Colonel Domlio and Sergeant Daw cooperate as local law enforcement and military contacts.

### [Mrs. Berlyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_mystery_se/characters/mrs_berlyn)

_social_

Colonel Domlio and Mrs. Berlyn have a formal, possibly strained social acquaintance.

## In the story

### [Dartmoor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_mystery_se/chapters/vii-dartmoor)

Mentioned as the owner of the Veda Company and a reclusive insect collector; French interviews him.

### [XIII: The Accomplice?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_mystery_se/chapters/xiii-the-accomplice)

Becomes the prime suspect in French's new theory; described as a quiet, well-respected man of about forty-five, a senior partner at Veda Works, and an entomology hobbyist.

### [XIV: French Turns Fisherman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_mystery_se/chapters/xiv-french-turns-fisherman)

Claims he was out collecting butterflies and lost a miniature; denies being out on the night of the murder.

### [Blackmail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_mystery_se/chapters/xv-blackmail)

Suspect in the murder; admits to lying about his whereabouts to protect Mrs. Berlyn, reveals blackmail letter.

### [XVIII: On Hampstead Heath](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_mystery_se/chapters/xviii-on-hampstead-heath)

French reconsiders Domlio as the possible murderer, citing his motor drive, denial, hidden clothes, and depressed manner.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_mystery_se/characters/colonel_domlio
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_mystery_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_mystery_se/characters