# Jefferson Pyke — The Sea Mystery character guide

> Jefferson Pyke in The Sea Mystery by Freeman Wills Crofts.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Mr. Jefferson Pyke, the late Mr. Pyke, Mr. Jefferson, Jefferson Pyke, Pyke, Jefferson, Jeff

**First appearance:** 0004-v-messrs-berlyn-and-pyke

## Snapshot

Stanley's cousin from the Argentine, a taller, broader rancher with a gift for jokes, who arrives in Devon just in time to inherit a dead man's affairs.

## Who they are

Jefferson visits Ashburton before the tragedy, explores the moor with Stanley, and is driven about by Mrs. Berlyn, leaving a warm impression on the landlady and a useful resemblance to his cousin. After the death he returns, takes charge of Stanley's effects, and disposes of what he does not want, all with the brisk competence of a man who knows how to handle business. His convenient presence, his foreign ranch, and his striking likeness to the deceased make him a figure French cannot afford to leave unexamined.

## In the story

### [VIII: A Fresh Start](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_mystery_se/chapters/viii-a-fresh-start)

Mentioned as Mr. Stanley Pyke's cousin from Argentina who visited before and after the tragedy.

### [IX: A Step Forward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_mystery_se/chapters/ix-a-step-forward)

Identifies the body as his cousin Stanley Pyke via a birthmark; provides background on Berlyn and Mrs. Berlyn.

### [XVII: “Danger!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_mystery_se/chapters/xvii-danger)

Receives a note from Mrs. Berlyn; French interviews him about his travels and the case.

### [XX: Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_mystery_se/chapters/xx-conclusion)

The real Jefferson Pyke, who died unexpectedly during a holiday; his death was used by Stanley to stage the impersonation.

## Links

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