Bartle Collingwood

Nesta Mallathorpe

Bartle Collingwood is Nesta's devoted suitor and eventual husband, with a loving and protective bond.

Linford Pratt

Bartle Collingwood and Linford Pratt are bitter enemies, with Collingwood opposing Pratt's machinations.

Charles Eldrick

Bartle Collingwood and Charles Eldrick are allies and friends, working together to expose Pratt's crimes.

John Standridge

Bartle Collingwood and John Standridge are close friends and confidants, supporting each other.

Halstead Byner

Bartle Collingwood and Halstead Byner are allies, working together to uncover the truth.

Nesta Mallathorpe

Bartle Collingwood is Nesta's devoted suitor and eventual husband, with a loving and protective bond.

Linford Pratt

Bartle Collingwood and Linford Pratt are bitter enemies, with Collingwood opposing Pratt's machinations.

Charles Eldrick

Bartle Collingwood and Charles Eldrick are allies and friends, working together to expose Pratt's crimes.

Linford Pratt

Bartle Collingwood and Linford Pratt are bitter enemies, with Collingwood opposing Pratt's machinations.

Nesta Mallathorpe

Bartle Collingwood is Nesta's devoted suitor and eventual husband, with a loving and protective bond.

Charles Eldrick

Bartle Collingwood and Charles Eldrick are allies and friends, working together to expose Pratt's crimes.

John Standridge

Bartle Collingwood and John Standridge are close friends and confidants, supporting each other.

I: Death Brings Opportunity

Aged antiquarian bookseller, well-known in Barford, who brings the discovered will of John Mallathorpe to the solicitors' office.

II: In Trust

Dies suddenly at Eldrick's office after revealing the will's existence to Pratt.

III: The Shop-Boy

Collingwood arrives in Barford, meets Pratt and Eldrick, then goes to his grandfather's shop; he interviews the shop-boy Jabey Naylor and becomes suspicious about a missing paper.

IV: The Fortunate Possessors

Visits Normandale Grange to investigate his grandfather's death and letter; meets Nesta and Harper Mallathorpe; later finds a list of pamphlets in the History of Barford.

IV: The Fortunate Possessors

Deceased; his last letter to Mrs. Mallathorpe is discussed; his death at Eldrick's office is mentioned.

V: Point-Blank

Mentioned as having visited Mrs. Mallathorpe earlier that day, inquiring about his grandfather's letter.

VI: The Unexpected

Bartle's death is referenced as having been witnessed by Parrawhite.

VI: The Unexpected

Collingwood is mentioned as having suspicion about the letter and visiting Normandale shortly after his grandfather's death.

Until Next Spring

Settles his grandfather's estate, sells the shop, and prepares to leave for India; visits Normandale Grange and promises to return in spring.

X: The Footbridge

Returns to Barford upon hearing of Harper Mallathorpe's death, driven by concern for Nesta.

XI: The Prevalent Atmosphere

Attends the inquest, observes the proceedings, and later listens to village gossip at the Normandale Arms, feeling a growing sense of mystery.

XII: The Power of Attorney

Decides to remain in Barford instead of sailing to India, motivated by his concern for Nesta and his distrust of Pratt. He settles into chambers and work, and later returns from London to find Nesta upset about Pratt's visit.

XIII: The First Trick

Collingwood reports Nesta's concerns to the solicitors and later informs Nesta of the developments, witnessing her anger and determination.

XIV: Cards on the Table

Mentioned by Pratt as a possible advisor to Nesta, but Nesta denies that Collingwood or Robson knew about her visit.

XVI: A Headquarters Conference

Agrees with Eldrick's plan, reflects on his grandfather's death and suspicions about Pratt, and agrees to consult further.

XVII: Advertisement

Consults with Eldrick about Pratt and is advised to visit Normandale Grange and reassure Nesta.

XVIII: The Confiding Landlord

Barrister who listens to Eldrick's account and connects the events to the time of Antony Bartle's death; proposes that Parrawhite's hold on Pratt may be linked to Pratt's hold on Mrs. Mallathorpe.

XIX: The Eyewitness

Discovers his landlord witnessed the mill catastrophe and learns of a document signed by John Mallathorpe just before the accident.

XIX: The Eyewitness

Mentioned as the intermediary through whom the duplicate will copy came to Pratt.

The Direct Charge

Agrees with Byner's accusation against Pratt and visits Nesta to discuss Cobcroft's story and the possibility of a duplicate will.

Smooth Face and Anxious Brain

Collingwood questions the reliability of Murgatroyd's telegram, showing cautious skepticism.

XXVI: The Telephone Message

Present with Eldrick when Byner reports the discovery; later joins Eldrick and Nesta to go to Normandale Grange.

The Woman in Black

Accompanies Nesta and Eldrick back to Normandale; supports Nesta and confesses his feelings for her.