Characters of the BookPhilo VanceJohn F.-X. MarkhamDistrict Attorney of New York County.Alvin H. BensonWell-known Wall Street broker and man-about-town, who was mysteriously murdered in his home.Major Anthony BensonBrother of the murdered man.Mrs. Anna PlatzHousekeeper for Alvin Benson.Muriel St. ClairA young singer.Captain Philip LeacockMiss St. Clair’s fiancé.Leander PfyfeIntimate friend of Alvin Benson’s.Mrs. Paula BanningA friend of Leander Pfyfe’s.Elsie HoffmanSecretary of the firm of Benson and Benson.Colonel Bigsby OstranderA retired army officer.William H. MoriartyAn alderman, Borough of the Bronx.Jack PriscoElevator-boy at the Chatham Arms.George G. StittOf the firm of Stitt and McCoy, Public Accountants.Maurice DinwiddieAssistant District Attorney.Chief Inspector O’BrienOf the Police Department of New York City.William M. MoranCommanding Officer of the Detective Bureau.Ernest HeathSergeant of the Homicide Bureau.BurkeDetective of the Homicide Bureau.SnitkinDetective of the Homicide Bureau.EmeryDetective of the Homicide Bureau.Ben HanlonCommanding Officer of Detectives assigned to District Attorney’s office.PhelpsDetective assigned to District Attorney’s office.TracyDetective assigned to District Attorney’s office.SpringerDetective assigned to District Attorney’s office.HigginbothamDetective assigned to District Attorney’s office.Captain Carl HagedornFire-arms expert.Dr. DoremusMedical Examiner.Francis SwackerSecretary to the District Attorney.CurrieVance’s valet.