# Mr. Carmichael — The Viaduct Murder character guide > Mr. Carmichael in The Viaduct Murder by Ronald A. Knox. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Carmichael, VII Carmichael **First appearance:** 0002-the-viaduct-murder ## Who they are A steady presence in the investigation who produces the photograph that cracks open the case's most guarded secret. ## Relationships ### [Mordaunt Reeves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/characters/mordaunt_reeves) _professional_ Mordaunt and Mr. Carmichael have a collegial professional relationship, often discussing case details and evidence. ### [Gordon Davenant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/characters/gordon_davenant) _professional_ Gordon interacts with Mr. Carmichael as a fellow investigator, sharing information and theories about the crime. ### [Marryatt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/characters/marryatt) _professional_ Marryatt and Mr. Carmichael work together professionally, exchanging observations and leads in the investigation. ### [Old Brotherhood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/characters/old_brotherhood) _social_ Mr. Carmichael and Old Brotherhood have a distant social connection, meeting occasionally through mutual acquaintances. ### [Gordon Davenant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/characters/gordon_davenant) _professional_ Gordon interacts with Mr. Carmichael as a fellow investigator, sharing information and theories about the crime. ### [Mordaunt Reeves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/characters/mordaunt_reeves) _professional_ Mordaunt and Mr. Carmichael have a collegial professional relationship, often discussing case details and evidence. ### [Old Brotherhood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/characters/old_brotherhood) _social_ Mr. Carmichael and Old Brotherhood have a distant social connection, meeting occasionally through mutual acquaintances. ### [Mordaunt Reeves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/characters/mordaunt_reeves) _professional_ Mordaunt and Mr. Carmichael have a collegial professional relationship, often discussing case details and evidence. ### [Gordon Davenant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/characters/gordon_davenant) _professional_ Gordon interacts with Mr. Carmichael as a fellow investigator, sharing information and theories about the crime. ### [Marryatt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/characters/marryatt) _professional_ Marryatt and Mr. Carmichael work together professionally, exchanging observations and leads in the investigation. ### [Marryatt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/characters/marryatt) _professional_ Marryatt and Mr. Carmichael work together professionally, exchanging observations and leads in the investigation. ## In the story ### [The Viaduct Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters/the-viaduct-murder) Part of the group investigating the death. ### [I: The Paston Oatvile Dormy-House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters/i-the-paston-oatvile-dormy-house) Contributes anecdotes about a confession in Albania and the distorting effect of journalism on truth. ### [II: In the Rough](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters/ii-in-the-rough) Tells the story of the day's adventure at the dormy-house. ### [IV: Endless Clues](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters/iv-endless-clues) Brings news that Brotherhood was insured by an American company, raising suspicions. ### [VI: The Movements of Mr. Davenant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters/vi-the-movements-of-mr-davenant) Carmichael reveals that Brotherhood and Davenant are the same person, and comments on the Irish character. ### [VII: Carmichael’s Account of It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters/vii-carmichael-s-account-of-it) Provides the detailed explanation of Brotherhood's alter ego and the murder plot. ### [VIII: The Inquest, and a Fresh Clue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters/viii-the-inquest-and-a-fresh-clue) Reveals that he obtained a photograph from a caddie, which had fallen from Brotherhood's pocket. He produces it during the discussion, providing a fresh clue. ### [The Animated Picture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters/ix-the-animated-picture) Participates in the bridge game and discussion; offers rational explanations and a personal anecdote about a haunted house. ### [X: In Which a Book Is More Communicative Than a Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters/x-in-which-a-book-is-more-communicative-than-a-lady) Traces the cipher key to a copy of Momerie's 'Immortality' left on a train; helps decode the message and notes the cipher's disappearance as an extra clue. ### [XI: A Funeral and a Vigil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters/xi-a-funeral-and-a-vigil) Deduces that the cipher was taken and replaced; devises the trap and instructs Reeves and Gordon to watch. ### [XII: A Search with Piano Accompaniment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters/xii-a-search-with-piano-accompaniment) Leads the search, explains his strategy of locking the door and using chewing-gum to detect the intruder. ### [XIII: The Man in the Passage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters/xiii-the-man-in-the-passage) Discovers the spring mechanism for the secret door in the billiard-room, provides a revolver for defense. ### [XIV: A Chase, Ending with a Surprise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters/xiv-a-chase-ending-with-a-surprise) Mentioned as still at his post, though not directly involved in the chase. ### [Gordon Takes the Opportunity to Philosophize](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters/xv-gordon-takes-the-opportunity-to-philosophize) Carmichael admits his mistake and listens to Gordon's philosophical critique, acknowledging half-truths in it. ### [XVIII: The Holmes Method](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters/xviii-the-holmes-method) Applies detective methods to examine Reeves' room, deducing the height and habits of the intruder. ### [XIX: Mordaunt Reeves Talks to Himself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters/xix-mordaunt-reeves-talks-to-himself) Reeves mentions Carmichael's clever work and his tendency to lose interest; Carmichael is also seen at the third tee with Gordon. ### [Proof at Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters/xx-proof-at-last) Referenced in the discussion about the photograph of Miss Rendall-Smith and the proposed test method. ### [XXI: The Test](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters/xxi-the-test) Dines with the group and engages in conversation about church matters and Brotherhood. ### [XXII: In the Fog](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters/xxii-in-the-fog) Carmichael enters the steward's office and announces that Davenant has confessed, interrupting Reeves. ### [Marryatt Breaks the Pledge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters/xxiii-marryatt-breaks-the-pledge) Carmichael informs Reeves that he saw Marryatt running toward the station, and declines a round of golf due to his wife's return. ### [The Dull Facts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/chapters/xxv-the-dull-facts) Author of the letter summarizing the case; gathered information from Miss Rendall-Smith and the priest at Paston Bridge. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/characters/mr_carmichael - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_viaduct_murder_se/characters