# Count Poltavo — The Secret House character guide > Count Poltavo in The Secret House by Edgar Wallace. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Poltavo, Count Ernesto Poltavo, Ernesto, The Count **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A polished, penniless count who skimps on cabbages while charming his way into a grieving heiress's confidence, and he wants far more than her trust. ## Who they are Poltavo moves through London society on charm and a threadbare purse, living alone, answering his own door, husbanding every shilling until fortune turns. A letter from the vanished Gregory Farrington told Doris Gray to trust him absolutely — a position Frank Doughton furiously resents, and one the Count defends with silky, unshakeable composure. As friend and adviser to the bereaved girl, he sits at the center of the will-reading and the suspicion swirling around Farrington's disappearance. ## Relationships ### [Mr. Gregory Farrington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/characters/mr_gregory_farrington) _rivalry_ Count Poltavo and Mr. Farrington are locked in a bitter power struggle, each seeking to outmaneuver the other. ### [Doris Gray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/characters/doris_gray) _romantic_ Count Poltavo is romantically entangled with Doris Gray, using charm and manipulation to control her. ### [Dr. Fall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/characters/dr_fall) _professional_ Count Poltavo and Dr. Fall collaborate in a sinister scheme, with Fall serving as Poltavo's scientific accomplice. ### [T. B. Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/characters/t_b_smith) _rivalry_ Count Poltavo and T. B. Smith are direct antagonists, with Smith hunting Poltavo's criminal activities. ### [Frank Doughton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/characters/frank_doughton) _rivalry_ Count Poltavo views Frank Doughton as a romantic rival and obstacle to his plans. ### [Lady Constance Dex](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/characters/lady_constance_dex) _social_ Count Poltavo and Lady Constance Dex move in the same high-society circles, with Poltavo using her for social leverage. ### [Mr. Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/characters/mr_brown) _professional_ Mr. Brown is a henchman or operative working for Count Poltavo. ### [Dr. Fall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/characters/dr_fall) _professional_ Count Poltavo and Dr. Fall collaborate in a sinister scheme, with Fall serving as Poltavo's scientific accomplice. ### [Mr. Gregory Farrington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/characters/mr_gregory_farrington) _rivalry_ Count Poltavo and Mr. Farrington are locked in a bitter power struggle, each seeking to outmaneuver the other. ### [Frank Doughton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/characters/frank_doughton) _rivalry_ Count Poltavo views Frank Doughton as a romantic rival and obstacle to his plans. ### [T. B. Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/characters/t_b_smith) _rivalry_ Count Poltavo and T. B. Smith are direct antagonists, with Smith hunting Poltavo's criminal activities. ### [Doris Gray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/characters/doris_gray) _romantic_ Count Poltavo is romantically entangled with Doris Gray, using charm and manipulation to control her. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/chapters/i) Hired as assistant editor of The Gossip's Corner; demonstrates shrewdness and adaptability. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/chapters/iv) A charming and enigmatic count, admired by Lady Dinsmore and viewed with jealousy and suspicion by Frank Doughton. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/chapters/v) Reveals his true identity as a penniless adventurer, presses Farrington for information, and demonstrates his value by exposing T. B. Smith's surveillance. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/chapters/vi) Arrives late to the theatre, converses with Lady Dinsmore and Doris Gray, and is present when the shot is fired. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/chapters/vii) Arrives at the house after being sent for; denies writing the note that cheered Doris. ### [The Reading of the Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/chapters/x) Reflects on his social ascent and control over Doris Gray; confronts Frank Doughton; reacts with rage and suspicion to Farrington's will; later speaks with T. B. Smith at Scotland Yard. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/chapters/xi) Confronts Farrington about the will, threatens to marry Doris Gray, and is trapped in the lift before being rescued by T. B. Smith. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/chapters/xiii) Mentioned as Farrington's agent, currently staying at the Secret House in Great Bradley. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/chapters/xiv) Returns from Great Bradley, acquires a house and cars, and takes over sorting blackmail correspondence for Farrington. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/chapters/xvi) Arrives at the safe deposit by Farrington's prior arrangement; observes the scene with a bitter smile and reluctant admiration for Farrington's cleverness. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/chapters/xvii) Plans to blackmail the Duke of Ambury for fifty thousand pounds, disregards Farrington's share, and orders an assassination attempt on T. B. Smith via Carlos. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/chapters/xviii) Arrested by T. B. Smith after attempting to collect blackmail; offers to reveal Farrington's secrets in exchange for avoiding extradition. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/chapters/xix) Is captured by T. B. Smith on the downs, handcuffed, and later imprisoned in the Secret House's underground cell, where he is hidden from T. B. Smith's inspection. ### [The Last Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/chapters/xx) Mentioned as having been killed by Farrington; his body is removed from the room. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/characters/count_poltavo - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_house_se/characters