Jabez North

Jim Lomax

Jabez North and Jim Lomax are antagonists, locked in a bitter conflict with each other.

Slopperton

Jabez North and Slopperton are adversaries, with Slopperton often opposing North's schemes.

Jim Lomax

Jabez North and Jim Lomax are antagonists, locked in a bitter conflict with each other.

Jim Lomax

Jabez North and Jim Lomax are antagonists, locked in a bitter conflict with each other.

Slopperton

Jabez North and Slopperton are adversaries, with Slopperton often opposing North's schemes.

Book I: A Respectable Young Man

Introduced as a seemingly respectable young man, but with underlying hints of deception.

The Good Schoolmaster

Introduced as the good schoolmaster, a foundling raised by Slopperton, now an assistant at Dr. Tappenden's academy. Described as outwardly meek and pious, but with a hidden coil of rope in his desk.

The Usher Washes His Hands

The usher who secretly prepares a rope, leaves the school at night, returns with a dark stain on his hand, forces a sick boy to drink opium, and then washes his hands in a grotesque manner.

V: The Healing Waters

Meets a woman he has wronged, offers her money, and is struck by her when she refuses. He later lies about his injury to his employer.

VI: Two Coroner’s Inquests

Borrows the Saturday paper and reads the accounts of the two coroner's inquests with great interest.

Book II: A Clearance of All Scores

Suspicious character involved in preparing an escape rope, possibly connected to the crime.

I: Blind Peter

Remains at Dr. Tappenden's school during the holidays; ventures out and is mistaken for a man named Jim in Blind Peter.

Like and Unlike

Observes the Lomax family and his own resemblance to Jim; later buys hair dye, hinting at a plan.

A Golden Secret

Visits Blind Peter, interrogates the old woman about his origins, and learns of a secret involving gold.

IV: Jim Looks Over the Brink of the Terrible Gulf

Jim's twin brother, who withholds medicine and allows Jim to die.

Midnight by the Slopperton Clocks

Absent from Dr. Tappenden's household past midnight, causing concern among the maids.

VI: The Quiet Figure on the Heath

Found dead on the heath; identified as a school usher who apparently committed suicide, possibly due to an unrequited love for his master's daughter.

The Usher Resigns His Situation

The usher who has disappeared; his body is later found on Halford Heath with evidence of suicide.

Book V: The Dumb Detective

Dual identity with Raymond Marolles, key to the deception.

Book VI: On the Track

Central figure in the unfolding investigation, his dual identity as Raymond Marolles is a key focus.

I: Father and Son

Raymond's true identity, revealed during the arrest as a former assistant at Dr. Tappenden's academy.

Raymond de Marolles Shows Himself Better Than All Bow Street

Referenced as the twin brother who died eight years ago.

IV: What They Find in the Room in Which the Murder Was Committed

Mentioned as the likely culprit who might have left evidence; Peters searches for Indian coins he may have dropped.

VI: The End of the Dark Road

Revealed as the true identity of Raymond de Marolles, the former pauper and usher whose supposed death is disproven at trial.