Mr. Brinkman

Miles Bredon

Miles Bredon, as an investigator, interacts frequently with Mr. Brinkman, likely a key figure in the case or employer.

Mr. Leyland

Mr. Brinkman and Mr. Leyland are colleagues or business associates, with frequent interactions suggesting close professional ties.

Angela Bredon

Angela Bredon interacts with Mr. Brinkman, likely in a professional or investigative context, possibly as a suspect or witness.

Mr. Mottram

Mr. Brinkman and Mr. Mottram share a professional relationship, possibly as colleagues or in a business hierarchy.

Mr. Eames

Mr. Brinkman and Mr. Eames have a professional relationship, possibly as employer and employee or business partners.

Mr. Pulteney

Mr. Brinkman and Mr. Pulteney share a professional relationship, possibly as colleagues or in a business network.

Simmonds

Mr. Brinkman and Simmonds interact in a professional capacity, likely as employer and employee or colleagues.

Miles Bredon

Miles Bredon, as an investigator, interacts frequently with Mr. Brinkman, likely a key figure in the case or employer.

Angela Bredon

Angela Bredon interacts with Mr. Brinkman, likely in a professional or investigative context, possibly as a suspect or witness.

Mr. Leyland

Mr. Brinkman and Mr. Leyland are colleagues or business associates, with frequent interactions suggesting close professional ties.

Mr. Mottram

Mr. Brinkman and Mr. Mottram share a professional relationship, possibly as colleagues or in a business hierarchy.

Mr. Pulteney

Mr. Brinkman and Mr. Pulteney share a professional relationship, possibly as colleagues or in a business network.

III: At the Load of Mischief

Mentioned by Pulteney as the secretary staying at the Load of Mischief; Mrs. Davis later says he was in a great taking about Mottram's death.

IV: The Bedroom

Mottram's secretary; briefly seen exiting the death room with a policeman as Bredon and Angela arrive.

V: Supper, and Mr. Brinkman

Nervous at supper, deflects talk of Mottram, later discusses the suicide and Mottram's health with Bredon.

VI: An Ear at the Keyhole

Bredon thinks he knows more than he says; his explanation for the gas tap is dismissed.

VII: From Leyland’s Notebook

Mentioned as a possible suspect; uses matches of the ordinary kind, but Leyland finds his manner secretive and no clear motive.

VIII: The Bishop at Home

Mottram's secretary who wired the Bishop about Mottram's death.

X: The Bet Doubled

Gives evidence at the inquest, confirming the discovery of the body and the locked door.

XI: The Generalship of Angela

Target of Angela's scheme; his cigarette is identified as 'Callipoli' after he is tricked into participating in the blindfold game.

XII: The Makings of a Trap

Brinkman is the target of the trap; he has been eavesdropping and is suspected of having a hidden interest in Mottram's death.

XIII: A Morning with the Haberdasher

Hidden listener to the staged conversation; his evasiveness is discussed.

XIV: Bredon Is Taken for a Walk

Invites Bredon for a walk to the gorge, pointedly excluding Angela; engages in rambling conversation about geology and Pulteney, avoiding the expected disclosure.

XVI: A Visitor from Pullford

Exchanges words with Eames, discusses Mottram's affairs and plans to go to London.

XVII: Mysterious Behaviour of the Old Gentleman

Absent from inn during funeral; suspected of preparing secret departure with disguised car and provisions.

XIX: How Leyland Spent the Evening

The target of the trap; leaves by the front door carrying a despatch-box.

XX: How Bredon Spent the Evening

Seen leaving the inn with a despatch-box, heading toward the garage.

XXI: How Eames Spent the Evening

Flees on foot, makes a mysterious leap near the gorge, then escapes by car.

XXIII: Leyland’s Account of It All

Discussed as the prime suspect; his motives, preparations, and attempted flight are detailed.

XXV: Bredon's Account of It All

Collaborated with Mottram on the test, burned the unsigned will, and attempted to frame the death as suicide; escapes at the end.

List of Illustrations

Referenced in the illustration caption as the person who found the three taps.