Charles Eldrick

Linford Pratt

Charles Eldrick is Linford Pratt's employer and later antagonist, as Pratt betrays his trust.

Bartle Collingwood

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

Halstead Byner

Charles Eldrick and Halstead Byner are legal colleagues, with Byner assisting Eldrick in his investigations.

Nesta Mallathorpe

Charles Eldrick acts as Nesta Mallathorpe's legal advisor and protector, with a paternal concern.

James Parrawhite

Charles Eldrick and James Parrawhite are rival solicitors, with Eldrick suspicious of Parrawhite's dealings.

George Pickard

Charles Eldrick and George Pickard have a professional relationship, with Pickard being a witness or client.

Linford Pratt

Charles Eldrick is Linford Pratt's employer and later antagonist, as Pratt betrays his trust.

James Parrawhite

Charles Eldrick and James Parrawhite are rival solicitors, with Eldrick suspicious of Parrawhite's dealings.

Halstead Byner

Charles Eldrick and Halstead Byner are legal colleagues, with Byner assisting Eldrick in his investigations.

Nesta Mallathorpe

Charles Eldrick acts as Nesta Mallathorpe's legal advisor and protector, with a paternal concern.

Bartle Collingwood

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

Halstead Byner

Charles Eldrick and Halstead Byner are legal colleagues, with Byner assisting Eldrick in his investigations.

II: In Trust

Senior partner at Eldrick & Pascoe; informed by Pratt of Bartle's death.

III: The Shop-Boy

Eldrick is present at the office to introduce Collingwood and confirms Pratt's account of the death; he had given orders for the coffin.

VI: The Unexpected

Eldrick is mentioned as Parrawhite's protector and the employer who keeps loose cash in his desk.

VII: The Supreme Inducement

Discovers the missing money and cheques, blames Parrawhite, and asks Pratt to investigate quietly, showing his careless and trusting nature.

Until Next Spring

Advises Collingwood to practice law in Barford and suggests he consider marrying Nesta Mallathorpe for her wealth.

X: The Footbridge

Informs Collingwood of the accident and Pratt's role; notes that Harper Mallathorpe died intestate.

XII: The Power of Attorney

Welcomes Collingwood's decision to stay in Barford, offers him professional work, and speaks approvingly of Pratt's usefulness while noting his self-assurance.

XIII: The First Trick

Eldrick visits Pratt to inquire about the power of attorney, examines the evidence of kinship, and is somewhat swayed by Pratt's explanations.

XVI: A Headquarters Conference

Leads the conference, advises Nesta to keep Pratt's confidence, and devises a counter-strategy to investigate Pratt's secret.

XVII: Advertisement

Discusses Pratt's possible theft of a document, decides to search parish registers, drafts an advertisement for Parrawhite, and meets with inquiry agent Byner.

XVIII: The Confiding Landlord

Solicitor who interviews Pickard and later consults with Collingwood; offers a ten-pound reward for useful information.

Smooth Face and Anxious Brain

Eldrick acts as Byner's intermediary, visiting Murgatroyd and Pratt to gather information and deliver news.

XXIV: The Better Half

Eldrick visits Murgatroyd earlier in the day to ask questions about Parrawhite, but his inquiries are described as 'few, elementary, and easily answered.'

XXVI: The Telephone Message

Informed of the body's discovery; accompanies Collingwood and Nesta to Normandale Grange after the telephone message.

The Woman in Black

Reveals the existence of the duplicate will and its terms; advises Mrs. Mallathorpe and Nesta.