# Mr. Jones — Victory character guide > Mr. Jones in Victory by Joseph Conrad. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** the gentlemanly Mr. Jones, plain Mr. Jones, Jones **First appearance:** 0004-victory ## Snapshot A hollow-eyed, gentlemanly gambler who arrives in Surabaya with a secretary, a revolver, and an appetite for other people's money. ## Who they are Mr. Jones moves through the world with the incurious stare of a spectre and the manners of a man who has never had to work. He keeps Ricardo close, tolerates a brutish third man only for utility, and treats violence as a matter of hygiene rather than passion. His arrival at Schomberg's hotel gives the hotelkeeper exactly the instrument he wants, and his decision to visit Samburan turns Heyst's refuge into a trap. ## Relationships ### [Axel Heyst](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/axel_heyst) _rivalry_ Jones, a cold-blooded gambler and criminal, targets Heyst for his supposed wealth, creating a deadly adversarial dynamic. ### [Martin Ricardo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/martin_ricardo) _professional_ Ricardo serves as Jones's loyal but cunning subordinate, executing his schemes with violent efficiency. ### [Schomberg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/schomberg) _rivalry_ Jones intimidates and exploits Schomberg, who provides information and lodging under duress, fueling their mutual contempt. ### [Lena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/lena) _psychological_ Lena and Jones share a tense, adversarial dynamic as she tries to outwit him to protect Heyst. ### [Axel Heyst](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/axel_heyst) _rivalry_ Jones, a cold-blooded gambler and criminal, targets Heyst for his supposed wealth, creating a deadly adversarial dynamic. ### [Martin Ricardo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/martin_ricardo) _professional_ Ricardo serves as Jones's loyal but cunning subordinate, executing his schemes with violent efficiency. ### [Martin Ricardo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/martin_ricardo) _professional_ Ricardo serves as Jones's loyal but cunning subordinate, executing his schemes with violent efficiency. ### [Axel Heyst](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/axel_heyst) _rivalry_ Jones, a cold-blooded gambler and criminal, targets Heyst for his supposed wealth, creating a deadly adversarial dynamic. ### [Schomberg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/schomberg) _rivalry_ Jones intimidates and exploits Schomberg, who provides information and lodging under duress, fueling their mutual contempt. ### [Lena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/lena) _psychological_ Lena and Jones share a tense, adversarial dynamic as she tries to outwit him to protect Heyst. ### [Schomberg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/schomberg) _rivalry_ Jones intimidates and exploits Schomberg, who provides information and lodging under duress, fueling their mutual contempt. ### [Lena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/lena) _psychological_ Lena and Jones share a tense, adversarial dynamic as she tries to outwit him to protect Heyst. ## In the story ### [Author's Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/author-s-note) Inspired by a cadaverous gambler encountered in a St. Thomas hotel, who left a lasting impression of insolence and menace. ### [Part I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/victory) A gentlemanly but predatory figure who arrives at Schomberg's hotel with his associates. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-ii-iv) Mr. Jones arrives at Schomberg's hotel, presenting himself as a 'gentleman at large' with a cynical attitude and a hatred of women. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-ii-v) Mr. Jones is portrayed as a languid, menacing figure who openly admits to his lawless past, including a siege in Venezuela. He manipulates Schomberg with veiled threats and a calm, predatory demeanor. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-ii-vi) Gentlemanly gambler who runs the table, described as a starved spectre turned banker, previously escaped a schooner with Ricardo. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-ii-vii) Referred to as 'the governor' by Ricardo, Mr. Jones is described as a gentleman subject to fits of laziness and boredom, during which he becomes immovable and unresponsive. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-ii-viii) Mentioned as the leader who must be humoured and managed by Ricardo, unaware of the plan's details. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iii-vi) Mr. Jones is the third man in the boat, described as silent and rigid with a death's head grin. He reaches for his hip as if to draw a weapon. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iii-vii) Mr. Jones, weak and soaked, speaks in a languid, lifeless voice, showing concern for appearances. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iii-x) Lies on a couch, feigning illness, and discusses strategy with Ricardo; his aversion to women is noted. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iv-i) Mentioned as being in discourse with Heyst in the other bungalow. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iv-v) Described as a fantastically thin, ailing gentleman who claims to be a rebel and laughs at Heyst. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iv-vi) Confined to the bungalow, he discusses strategy with Ricardo, proposing a refined gambling scheme to humiliate Heyst, revealing his personal vendetta against society. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iv-vii) Remains immobile and suspicious, questioning Heyst's motives and Ricardo's sudden volatility. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iv-x) Mr. Jones is mentioned as the 'governor' waiting in the other bungalow for Heyst's arrival. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iv-xi) Mr. Jones threatens Heyst, reveals his knowledge of Morrison, and becomes enraged by Ricardo's attraction to Lena. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iv-xiii) Fires a shot over Heyst's shoulder and vanishes from the verandah. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/chapters/part-iv-xiv) Jones is found dead in the water between piles, having shot Ricardo and possibly fallen in by accident or suicide. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters/mr_jones - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/victory_se/characters