Linford Pratt

Nesta Mallathorpe

Linford Pratt manipulates and obsesses over Nesta, using her as a pawn in his schemes.

Charles Eldrick

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

Bartle Collingwood

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

James Parrawhite

James Parrawhite is a solicitor who works with and is often manipulated by Linford Pratt.

Halstead Byner

Halstead Byner is a determined investigator who opposes Linford Pratt's criminal activities.

R. Murgatroyd

R. Murgatroyd is a clerk who works under Linford Pratt, often carrying out his orders.

Esther Mawson

Esther Mawson is a former servant who is blackmailed and manipulated by Linford Pratt.

Prydale

Prydale is a business associate or client of Linford Pratt, involved in his schemes.

Nesta Mallathorpe

Linford Pratt manipulates and obsesses over Nesta, using her as a pawn in his schemes.

Charles Eldrick

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

Nesta Mallathorpe

Linford Pratt manipulates and obsesses over Nesta, using her as a pawn in his schemes.

Halstead Byner

Halstead Byner is a determined investigator who opposes Linford Pratt's criminal activities.

I: Death Brings Opportunity

Senior clerk at Eldrick & Pascoe, ambitious and unscrupulous, alone in the office when opportunity arrives in the form of Antony Bartle and the discovered will.

II: In Trust

Discovers and conceals John Mallathorpe's will, calculating how to exploit it for personal gain.

III: The Shop-Boy

Pratt arrives at the office and is introduced to Bartle Collingwood; he recounts the events of Antony Bartle's death, claiming the old man died suddenly without saying much.

IV: The Fortunate Possessors

Observes Collingwood's departure and return; inquires about his destination; grows anxious about possible discovery of the will; decides to question Mrs. Mallathorpe.

V: Point-Blank

Visits Mrs. Mallathorpe, reveals the discovery of John Mallathorpe's will, and proposes a blackmail scheme to become steward of the estate.

VI: The Unexpected

Pratt is confronted and blackmailed by Parrawhite, then accidentally kills him in a struggle.

VII: The Supreme Inducement

Executes his plan to frame Parrawhite for theft, steals money and cheques from Eldrick's drawer, and decides to pursue the stewardship after seeing Nesta Mallathorpe.

Terms

Pratt dictates terms, refusing cash and demanding a lifetime stewardship; he shows cunning and implacability.

Until Next Spring

Observes Collingwood's departure and views him as a potential rival; tries to fish for information about Collingwood's plans.

X: The Footbridge

Discovered the body and is assisting with arrangements; questions the woodman about the timing of the warning.

XI: The Prevalent Atmosphere

Gives evidence at the inquest, describing his discovery of Harper Mallathorpe's body; his earlier behavior and expressions continue to puzzle Collingwood.

XII: The Power of Attorney

Seen speaking with Esther Mawson at Normandale Grange; later visits Mrs. Mallathorpe in Nesta's absence, leaving her frightened and secretive. He is described as a clever but potentially untrustworthy clerk.

XIII: The First Trick

Pratt has obtained a general power of attorney from Mrs. Mallathorpe and set up his own office. He claims a familial relationship with her and defends his actions against accusations of undue influence.

XIV: Cards on the Table

Remains cool and self-possessed during Nesta's confrontation. He hints at a secret about Mrs. Mallathorpe and recounts events about the footbridge, implying he has a strong hand.

Pratt Offers a Hand

Reveals the letter from Mrs. Mallathorpe that he claims proves her murder plot, refuses Nesta's buyout, and insists on keeping his secret hold over the family.

XVI: A Headquarters Conference

The antagonist whose blackmail and secret hold over Mrs. Mallathorpe are the focus of the conference; Eldrick and Collingwood plan to let him remain in false security.

XVII: Advertisement

Suspected by Eldrick of appropriating a document from Antony Bartle and of withholding information about Parrawhite.

XVIII: The Confiding Landlord

Former clerk of Eldrick; mentioned as the person Parrawhite planned to meet on November 23rd, and as having a hold on Mrs. Mallathorpe.

XIX: The Eyewitness

Implied to have obtained the duplicate copy of John Mallathorpe's will through Antony Bartle.

XX: The Green Man

Mentioned as the target of Byner's advertisements and as the man seen with Parrawhite on the night of his disappearance.

The Direct Charge

Accused by Byner of murdering Parrawhite and stealing the will; discussed as holding power over Mrs. Mallathorpe.

XXII: The Cat's Paw

Pratt reviews his situation after Nesta's visit, feeling confident in his power. He becomes alarmed upon seeing advertisements for Parrawhite and schemes to prevent a search by bribing Murgatroyd.

Smooth Face and Anxious Brain

Pratt maintains a calm exterior but is deeply perturbed by news of Parrawhite's inheritance and the search for him.

XXIV: The Better Half

Pratt visits Murgatroyd to coach him on lying to the detectives, but later receives a shock when Mrs. Murgatroyd returns the bribe money and threatens to confess.

XXV: Dry Sherry

Pratt is in full flight mode, having prepared for escape. He retrieves documents and money, sends a telegram to Esther, and meets her at Normandale Grange. He drinks drugged sherry and falls asleep.

XXVI: The Telephone Message

Unaware of the discovery of Parrawhite's body; he saw Byner and Prydale visit Murgatroyd and pumped Murgatroyd for information, then disappeared from his lodgings.

Restored to Energy

Drugged and robbed by Esther Mawson; left unconscious in an old room.