# Richard Marwood — The Trail of the Serpent character guide > Richard Marwood in The Trail of the Serpent by M. E. Braddon. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Richard, Poor Richard, Master Richard, Mr. Richard Marwood, Mr. Marwood, poor Mr. Marwood **First appearance:** 0004-iv-richard-marwood-lights-his-pipe ## Snapshot A reckless, warm-hearted young man whom Slopperton calls 'Daredevil Dick,' he returns home penniless and hopeful, only to be accused of his uncle's murder. ## Who they are Richard Marwood is the prodigal nephew whose uncle offers him one last chance at respectability: a clerk's berth in Gardenford and a fortune to follow. He is torn between genuine remorse and a fatal impulsiveness, radiant with resolve one minute and wishing himself hanged the next. His arrest for his uncle's murder makes him the axis of the novel's central injustice, and the reader's sympathy for his wasted promise drives the search for the truth. ## Relationships ### [Augustus Darley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/augustus_darley) _friendship_ Augustus Darley and Richard Marwood share a strong bond of friendship and mutual respect, often working together. ### [Daredevil Dick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/daredevil_dick) _friendship_ Daredevil Dick is a loyal friend and ally to Richard Marwood, often involved in his exploits. ### [Isabel Darley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/isabel_darley) _romantic_ Isabel Darley and Richard Marwood share a romantic interest, with Isabel being a love interest for Richard. ### [The Smasher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/the_smasher) _friendship_ Richard Marwood and The Smasher are friendly acquaintances, often interacting in a supportive capacity. ### [Slopperton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/slopperton) _friendship_ Richard Marwood and Slopperton are allies, working together against common enemies. ### [Slopperton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/slopperton) _friendship_ Richard Marwood and Slopperton are allies, working together against common enemies. ### [Augustus Darley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/augustus_darley) _friendship_ Augustus Darley and Richard Marwood share a strong bond of friendship and mutual respect, often working together. ### [The Smasher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/the_smasher) _friendship_ Richard Marwood and The Smasher are friendly acquaintances, often interacting in a supportive capacity. ### [Augustus Darley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/augustus_darley) _friendship_ Augustus Darley and Richard Marwood share a strong bond of friendship and mutual respect, often working together. ### [Daredevil Dick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/daredevil_dick) _friendship_ Daredevil Dick is a loyal friend and ally to Richard Marwood, often involved in his exploits. ### [Daredevil Dick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/daredevil_dick) _friendship_ Daredevil Dick is a loyal friend and ally to Richard Marwood, often involved in his exploits. ### [Isabel Darley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/isabel_darley) _romantic_ Isabel Darley and Richard Marwood share a romantic interest, with Isabel being a love interest for Richard. ## In the story ### [Good for Nothing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/ii-good-for-nothing) Returns home after seven years, footsore and penitent, accepts his uncle's offer of a new start. ### [IV: Richard Marwood Lights His Pipe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/iv-richard-marwood-lights-his-pipe) Leaves home early, travels to Gardenford, and is arrested for the murder of his uncle Montague Harding. ### [VI: Two Coroner’s Inquests](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/vi-two-coroner-s-inquests) Arrested and charged with the murder of Montague Harding; described as pale, bewildered, with dishevelled hair and slovenly costume. ### [The Dumb Detective a Philanthropist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/vii-the-dumb-detective-a-philanthropist) Paces his cell in Slopperton Gaol, brooding on the murder and his impending trial, expressing faith in Providence despite hopelessness. ### [Seven Letters on the Dirty Alphabet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/viii-seven-letters-on-the-dirty-alphabet) The prisoner at the bar, standing trial for murder. He is pale and exhausted from months of mental torture, but maintains a calm demeanor and pleads not guilty. ### [IX: “Mad, Gentlemen of the Jury”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/ix-mad-gentlemen-of-the-jury) The prisoner at trial, described with a white hand and long slender fingers; defense argues he is insane. ### [Book II: A Clearance of All Scores](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/book-ii-a-clearance-of-all-scores) Central figure in the murder case, facing arrest and trial. ### [I: Blind Peter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/i-blind-peter) Mentioned as having lost the race and being confined in the county lunatic asylum for life. ### [Book III: Holy Institution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/book-iii-holy-institution) Confined to the lunatic asylum after being declared insane, Richard struggles with his circumstances and the loss of his freedom. ### [I: The Boy from Slopperton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/i-the-boy-from-slopperton) Now known as 'Daredevil Dick,' he has spent eight years in solitary confinement in the County Lunatic Asylum, suffering from despair and hallucinations of being Napoleon. ### [Mr. Augustus Darley and Mr. Joseph Peters Go Out Fishing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/ii-mr-augustus-darley-and-mr-joseph-peters-go-out-fishing) Mentioned as the subject of a trial eight years ago in which Darley was a witness. ### [III: The Emperor Bids Adieu to Elba](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/iii-the-emperor-bids-adieu-to-elba) Known as the Emperor Napoleon in the asylum; plans and executes an escape over the wall using a knotted rope. ### [Joy and Happiness for Everybody](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/iv-joy-and-happiness-for-everybody) Freed from the asylum after eight years, traveling to London with Gus, reflecting on his past suffering and newfound hope. ### [V: The Cherokees Take an Oath](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/v-the-cherokees-take-an-oath) Returns to the Cherokee tavern and appeals to the Cherokees for aid in finding Montague Harding's murderer. ### [Mr. Peters Relates How He Thought He Had a Clue, and How He Lost It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/vi-mr-peters-relates-how-he-thought-he-had-a-clue-and-how-he-lost-it) Meets his mother, discusses his ongoing quest to clear his name, and hears Peters' story. ### [Book V: The Dumb Detective](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/book-v-the-dumb-detective) Central figure in the ongoing mystery, possibly under investigation. ### [III: The Cherokees Mark Their Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/iii-the-cherokees-mark-their-man) Present at the opera to identify his uncle's murderer; deeply agitated and determined to see justice done. ### [One Step Further on the Right Track](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/viii-one-step-further-on-the-right-track) Richard is the central figure, now hopeful of clearing his name; he confesses his love to Isabella and eagerly receives new evidence from Dr. Tappenden. ### [Book VI: On the Track](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/book-vi-on-the-track) Wrongfully accused and imprisoned, his fate is tied to the pursuit of the real culprit. ### [The Left-Handed Smasher Makes His Mark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/iii-the-left-handed-smasher-makes-his-mark) Mentioned as the intended recipient of a telegraph from the Smasher, who plans to inform him about the encounter with the Count de Marolles. ### [IV: What They Find in the Room in Which the Murder Was Committed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/iv-what-they-find-in-the-room-in-which-the-murder-was-committed) Referenced as the accused; Peters believes blood on his sleeve came from drips through the floor cracks. ### [Mr. Peters Decides on a Strange Step, and Arrests the Dead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/v-mr-peters-decides-on-a-strange-step-and-arrests-the-dead) Impatiently waiting in London, restrained from pursuing Raymond Marolles by friends and family. ### [VI: The End of the Dark Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/vi-the-end-of-the-dark-road) Mentioned as the innocent victim of circumstantial evidence who died in an asylum escape attempt, his case parallels the current trial. ### [Farewell to England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/chapters/vii-farewell-to-england) Returns to Slopperton as a hero after escaping the asylum; gives a speech and departs for South America with his wife and mother. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters/richard_marwood - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trail_of_the_serpent_se/characters